LinkedIn Expands ID Verification with Secondary Name Option

LinkedIn has launched a significant security enhancement allowing users to add their legal names as secondary identifiers for profile verification, addressing the needs of professionals who use alternate names on the platform. The update enhances LinkedIn's comprehensive identity verification system to prevent security breaches, which has already been adopted by approximately 80 million members.

The expansion comes as part of LinkedIn's ongoing efforts to strengthen professional identity verification while maintaining user privacy and flexibility in how members present themselves online.

Verification Process and Privacy Features

The new system allows users to display their legal name in parentheses after their chosen LinkedIn profile name, specifically for verification purposes. This secondary identifier serves as a bridge between public-facing professional identities and government-issued documentation, working alongside advanced multi-factor authentication protocols for enhanced security.

LinkedIn has implemented several privacy protections:

• Legal names are only visible to logged-in LinkedIn users
• Secondary names won't appear in public profiles
• Names are hidden from search engine results
• Users maintain control over their displayed identity

Professional Networking Enhancement

This update addresses several key considerations for professional users:

• Enables verification for professionals using professional pseudonyms
• Maintains cultural naming preferences while meeting verification requirements
• Supports privacy needs of users who prefer not to publicly display legal names
• Strengthens overall platform credibility through expanded verification options

Implementation and Management

The LinkedIn Business Manager platform now incorporates enhanced verification features for organizational accounts. This integration provides robust identity confirmation while maintaining professional branding standards.

For individual professionals, the verification process has been streamlined to ensure efficient implementation. Users can access detailed information through LinkedIn's account verification documentation, available through their official verification portal.

If users choose to delete their ID name later, both the legal name and identity verification will be removed from their profile, ensuring continued control over their professional presence on the platform. This feature demonstrates LinkedIn's commitment to balancing security requirements with user privacy preferences.

The platform continues to evolve its verification systems to meet emerging professional needs while maintaining strict privacy standards. These enhancements represent a significant advancement in professional identity management on social media platforms.