LinkedIn Phases Out Custom CTA Profile Links, Maintains Premium Business Features

LinkedIn is discontinuing the ability to add custom call-to-action (CTA) links on user profiles, while maintaining the feature for Premium Business subscribers, according to an announcement made on May 27, 2025. This change impacts the platform's Creator Mode users who previously had access to external URL linking capabilities. For businesses looking to maximize their LinkedIn presence, understanding the comprehensive LinkedIn Business Manager platform features becomes increasingly important.

Strategic Platform Changes

The move represents a significant shift in LinkedIn's profile customization options, affecting its 175 million Premium subscribers. The platform has clarified that existing custom links will remain active, but users won't be able to modify them or add new ones once removed.

Business Impact and Engagement Metrics

LinkedIn's decision creates a clear distinction between individual and business profiles. While individual profile linking options are being reduced, Premium Company Pages continue to show strong engagement, with:

• 10x more clicks on custom CTA buttons compared to standard profiles
• Prominent placement of CTA buttons on main profile displays
• Maintained functionality for Premium Business subscribers and Sales Navigator users

The platform's strategic focus appears to be shifting toward business-oriented features, as evidenced by the 50% growth in Premium subscriptions over the past two years.

Enhanced Platform Evolution

LinkedIn's modification of profile features reflects its ongoing evaluation of user engagement and platform value. According to recent LinkedIn Marketing Solutions data, businesses that maintain active profiles see 2.5x higher engagement rates.

For users affected by this update, understanding the implications is crucial:

• Existing CTA buttons will remain functional until removed
• Premium Business subscribers retain access to website linking capabilities
• Alternative profile optimization strategies may need to be explored

Strategic Adaptations

This change arrives as LinkedIn continues to court content creators while balancing platform integrity and user experience. While the company hasn't explicitly stated their reasoning, analysis suggests the decision may be influenced by low usage rates or concerns about questionable external links affecting SEO performance.

The platform's evolution highlights the importance of maintaining professional networking presence while adapting to changing feature sets. Users can maximize their LinkedIn presence by:

1. Optimizing profile content within available features
2. Leveraging Premium Business subscriptions for enhanced functionality
3. Focusing on organic engagement and network building