How to Add Badges to LinkedIn in 2024 – The Complete Guide

Adding relevant badges to your LinkedIn profile provides visual proof of your skills, certifications, and achievements. LinkedIn members who display badges tend to attract more profile views and connection requests.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to add badges to LinkedIn for credentials earned from popular providers like Coursera, Udemy, Salesforce, Microsoft, CompTIA, and more.

We’ll cover how to find badge images, optimal badge placement, and best practices to showcase your accomplishments effectively on your LinkedIn profile. Let’s get started!

Why You Should Add Badges to Your LinkedIn Profile

Here are some of the benefits of decorating your LinkedIn profile with relevant achievement or skill badges:

• Visually validate skills – Badges serve as social proof of abilities.
• Attract opportunities – Many recruiters search for badges to fill open roles.
• Increase profile views – Profiles with badges tend to generate more interest.
• Spark conversations – Badges give connections an opening to discuss your credentials.
• Demonstrate commitment – Completing certifications shows dedication to learning.
• Stand out – Including badges makes your profile unique.
• Appear in searches – Badges help profiles surface for relevant credential keywords.

Adding earned badges is a simple way to enhance your LinkedIn profile’s impact and reach.

Also read: How to Repost on LinkedIn in 2023 – A Complete Guide

Where to Get Reputable LinkedIn Badges Image

The first step is to collect digital badge images from credible providers. Never create fake credentials or use unofficial badge images.

Here are some reputable sources for valid LinkedIn badge images:

• Acclaim – Digital badging platform works with many education providers.
• Credly – Leading digital credential platform with millions of badges issued.
• Certification providers – Most offer badge images upon completing certs.
• Educational institutions – Colleges provide badges for degrees, courses, honors.
• Online learning platforms – Udemy, Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning, etc.
• Nonprofits & associations – Professional societies like PMI, IEEE, SHRM.
• Companies – Salesforce, SAP, Deloitte, IBM, etc. offer product badges.

Always download badge images directly from the issuing authority’s website or credentials platform. Never use unofficial copies.

Also read: How to Post Multiple Photos on LinkedIn

How to Add Badges to Your LinkedIn Profile

Once you have collected credential badge images, adding them to your LinkedIn profile is simple:

• 1. Click “Add profile section”
• 2. Select “Accomplishments”
• 3. Click “Add Accomplishment”
• 4. Choose “Certification”
• 5. Fill in details – Certification name, Issuing authority, License number
• 6. Upload corresponding badge image file
• 7. Click “Save” to add to your profile

Repeat for each additional certification or badge you want to showcase on your profile. Make sure to include all relevant details.

Best Practices for Displaying Badges on LinkedIn

Follow these best practices when adding badges to your LinkedIn profile for maximum impact:

• Place badges strategically – Near the top under your profile photo and headline.
• Group similar badges – Cluster badges related to the same skillset.
• Focus on reputable providers – Prioritize badges from recognizable, respected authorities.
• Keep it current – Remove expired or outdated legacy badges.
• Match to your goals – Align the badge display with your personal branding.
• Add context – Explain the skills and competencies mastered to earn featured badges.
• Follow size guidelines – LinkedIn suggests 600×600 pixels for badge images.
• Make badge icons clickable – Link to credential verification sites.
• Respect trademark rules – Follow usage guidelines from the badge provider.

Step-by-Step: Adding Specific Credential Badges

Here are step-by-step instructions for adding badges from some of the top credential providers:

Step 1 – Adding Verified Certification Badges

The easiest way to add certification badges to LinkedIn is through integrated services that provide verified digital credentials.

Here are some top sources and how to display their badges on LinkedIn:

Acclaim/Credly

Acclaim (powered by Credly) offers digital badges for 1,000+ programs including Cisco, PMI, IBM and more.

To add Acclaim badges:

• Earn a certification that offers Acclaim badges.
• Go to your Acclaim dashboard and click “Share” for the badge.
• Select “Display on LinkedIn” and allow access when prompted.
• The badge icon will appear in your Certifications section.

Certiprof

Certiprof provides digital certification badges for programs like CompTIA, AWS, ISACA and others.

To display Certiprof badges:

1. Earn an eligible certification through Certiprof partners.
2. Login to your Certiprof dashboard and access your badge.
3. Click “Display on LinkedIn” to enable the badge on your profile.
4. The icon will now appear in your Certifications.

Badgr

Badgr lets organizations issue badge credentials for internal programs.

To show Badgr badges on LinkedIn:

1. Earn a certification from an issuer using Badgr.
2. Go to your Badgr backpack containing your earned badges.
3. Click “Share” next to a badge and choose “LinkedIn”.
4. Allow access to post the badge to your profile.

For any certification program, look for “Add to LinkedIn” or “Share on LinkedIn” options within the issuing organization’s portal. This connects the badge with your profile.

Adding Microsoft Certification Badges:

1. Pass exam requirements for a Microsoft certification.
2. Access your Microsoft transcript and click to expand the achieved certification.
3. Right-click the certification logo and choose “Save image as…”
4. Upload the saved badge image to your LinkedIn profile.
5. Add the certification name, “Microsoft” as the authority, and your Microsoft candidate ID.

Step 2 – Adding LinkedIn Skill Assessment Badges

In addition to certifications, you can also display badges on LinkedIn for passing LinkedIn Skill Assessments:

1. Take and pass a LinkedIn Skill Assessment for skills like Project Management, Salesforce, SQL, etc.
2. Once earned, the skill badge will automatically appear on your profile under the Certifications section.
3. You can showcase up to 15 skill assessment badges on your profile.

Passing these short LinkedIn-powered tests in your functional areas or software skills is a quick way to add relevant badges.

Step 3 – Manually Adding Custom Badges

For credentials without integrated LinkedIn connectivity, you can manually upload custom badges as images.

To manually add a badge image to your profile:

1. Save the badge icon image file to your computer.
2. Go to your LinkedIn profile and click “Add profile section” => “Certifications”.
3. In Certifications, click the “+” to add a new certification.
4. Select “Other professional certification” as the type.
5. Give the certification a title and add the issue date.
6. Upload your badge image file.
7. The badge icon will now appear in your Certifications.

This method lets you create custom badges for niche programs or internal certifications at your company.

Step 4 – Downloading and Sharing Badge Images

For certificates without digital sharing capabilities, you can generate sharable badge images to add manually:

• Credly – Create a free DIY Open Badge with a custom title, image, and metadata.
• Badgr – Use their Badge Designer to make custom achievement badges and download images.
• Canva – Design your own badge images for free using the online Canva design tool.

Once you’ve created a sharable badge image, you or other recipients can manually upload it to LinkedIn profiles as explained above.

Showcasing Additional LinkedIn Badges

Beyond adding certification badges, you can include other types of achievement badges on your LinkedIn profile:

• Associations and nonprofits – Badges proving membership or participation.
• Conferences and events – Badges for speakers, organizers, and attendees.
• Competitions – Winner badges from hackathons, case competitions, etc.
• Learning platforms – Badges earned for completing classes on platforms like DataCamp, Skillshare, etc.
• Volunteering – Badges recognizing community service, and fundraising.
• Companies – Badges company-specific product knowledge, and sales achievements.

Get creative showcasing all badges relevant to your personal brand and target job or industry!

Common Questions About Displaying Badges on LinkedIn

Advanced Tips for Maximizing LinkedIn Badges

Take your LinkedIn badge game to the next level with these pro tips:

• Feature badges prominently – Don’t bury them. Promote your best credentials near the top of your profile.
• Rotate regularly – Swap in your latest badges so your profile stays fresh.
• Publish badge announcements – Share your new certifications in posts and celebrate your achievements.
• Link to credential sites – Make badge images clickable links so viewers can validate.
• Cross-promote on resumes – Include the same LinkedIn badges on your resume and other profiles.
• Get expert endorsements – Request colleagues with the same certs to endorse your badge-backed skills.
• Watch acclaim trends – Notice which badges consistently get high interest and engagement.
• Craft branded imagery – Unify your profile using consistent badge designs and frames.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Adding relevant achievement badges makes your LinkedIn profile stand out while serving as social proof of your skills and competencies. Whether you’re displaying respected certifications, nonprofit memberships, or conference speaker badges, use this guide to showcase your credentials the right way.

The visual validation from LinkedIn badges can lead to more profile views, engagement, and career opportunities. Just be sure to follow trademark rules and only display badges from authoritative providers you have honestly earned.

To recap, you can collect verified badge images from credentialing sites, add them to your LinkedIn Accomplishments section, and highlight your best badges strategically near the top of your profile.

What badges will you add to amplify your LinkedIn profile? Now is the time to get started showcasing your greatest achievements!