{"id":1838,"date":"2026-05-04T10:20:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T04:50:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dealsflow.co\/blog\/?p=1838"},"modified":"2026-05-11T18:16:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T12:46:05","slug":"what-is-a-credential-id-on-linkedin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dealsflow.co\/blog\/what-is-a-credential-id-on-linkedin\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Credential ID on LinkedIn? (Certifications & Licenses Explained)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Picture this: you just passed your Google Data Analytics certification after weeks of studying. You’re excited to add it to your LinkedIn profile<\/a>. You click “Add to profile,” start filling out the form \u2014 name, issuing organisation, date \u2014 and then you freeze. There’s a field labelled\u00a0Credential ID<\/strong>. You stare at it. You’re not sure what it is, whether it matters, or where to find it.<\/p>\n

If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. The Credential ID field is one of the most confusing parts of LinkedIn’s certification section, and most people either skip it without understanding what they’re missing, or fill it in incorrectly. This article fixes that.<\/p>\n

A Credential ID on LinkedIn is a unique alphanumeric code issued by the certifying organisation that verifies your certification is genuine and was awarded to you specifically. It is not generated by LinkedIn \u2014 it comes directly from the platform or institution that issued your certificate.<\/p>\n

Here is what this guide covers: what a Credential ID actually is, where to find yours depending on which platform issued your certificate, how the Credential URL field differs from it, why recruiters and LinkedIn’s algorithm<\/a> care about it, a full step-by-step walkthrough for adding a certification to your profile, and answers to the most frequently asked questions on this topic.<\/p>\n

TL;DR:<\/strong>\u00a0A Credential ID is an optional but highly recommended unique identifier tied to your specific certificate. Fill it in whenever it’s available \u2014 it makes your certification verifiable with a single glance.<\/div>\n

What Is a Credential ID on LinkedIn?<\/h2>\n

\"What<\/p>\n

A Credential ID is a unique identifier that a certifying organisation assigns to a specific certificate issued to a specific person. Think of it the way you would think of an order confirmation number from an online shop \u2014 every purchase generates a different number, and that number is tied to your transaction alone. In the same way, a Credential ID is tied to your certification alone, not to the course or programme in general.<\/p>\n

This is an important distinction: the Credential ID is not the name of the certification, not an abbreviation of the issuing body, and not a course code. It is a unique string \u2014 sometimes numeric, sometimes alphanumeric \u2014 that points to your individual record in the issuer’s database.<\/p>\n

Who generates the Credential ID?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • The Credential ID is generated by the issuing organisation \u2014 Coursera, Google, HubSpot, AWS, PMI, LinkedIn Learning, or whichever body awarded your certificate. LinkedIn has no role in creating this number. LinkedIn simply provides the field for you to record it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    What format does a Credential ID take?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Coursera certificates typically carry a long alphanumeric string, such as\u00a0A3BC7XMQP2<\/code>\u00a0or similar, visible on the certificate itself or in the certificate URL.<\/li>\n
    • Google Career Certificates issued through Credly display a numeric credential ID within the badge details page.<\/li>\n
    • HubSpot Academy certificates include a certificate number embedded in the public certificate URL.<\/li>\n
    • AWS certifications, distributed as digital badges through Credly, show the credential ID within the badge details section.<\/li>\n
    • LinkedIn Learning certificates auto-populate the Credential ID field when you add the certification directly from the LinkedIn Learning platform \u2014 no searching required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Is the Credential ID mandatory on LinkedIn?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      No. The field is entirely optional. LinkedIn will not prevent you from saving a certification if you leave it blank. However, leaving it blank means your certification cannot be independently verified by anyone viewing your profile. You are asking recruiters and hiring managers to simply take your word for it \u2014 which, in an era of inflated resumes, is a meaningful trade-off.<\/p>\n

      Where to Find Your Credential ID (by Platform)<\/h2>\n

      This is the section most readers need most urgently. Below is a platform-by-platform guide to locating your Credential ID so you can add it to LinkedIn accurately.<\/p>\n

      Coursera<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Log in to your Coursera account.<\/li>\n
      • Navigate to “My Learning” and click “Accomplishments.”<\/li>\n
      • Select the certificate you want to reference.<\/li>\n
      • Click on the certificate to open it. The Credential ID is printed directly on the certificate image, typically in a small font near the bottom. It also appears in the certificate’s page URL \u2014 it is the alphanumeric string following\u00a0\/accomplishments\/<\/code>\u00a0in the address bar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Google Career Certificates<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Google Career Certificates are issued as digital badges through Credly.<\/li>\n
        • Open your Credly account and navigate to your earned badges.<\/li>\n
        • Click on the relevant badge and select “View Badge Details.”<\/li>\n
        • The Credential ID is listed within the badge details. The Credential URL is the public badge link, which you can also copy from this page.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          HubSpot Academy<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Log in to HubSpot Academy at\u00a0academy.hubspot.com<\/code>.<\/li>\n
          • Go to “My Certifications” and find the relevant certification.<\/li>\n
          • Click “Share Certificate.” A public certificate page opens.<\/li>\n
          • The Credential ID is embedded in the URL of that public page \u2014 it is the unique string in the page address. Copy it from there.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            AWS (Amazon Web Services)<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            • AWS certifications are managed through Credly.<\/li>\n
            • Visit\u00a0credly.com<\/code>\u00a0and log into the account linked to your AWS certification email.<\/li>\n
            • Click on your AWS badge and select “View Badge Details.”<\/li>\n
            • The credential ID is listed in the badge metadata. The public badge URL serves as your Credential URL.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              LinkedIn Learning<\/strong><\/p>\n

                \n
              • If you completed a course on LinkedIn Learning and wish to add it to your profile, you do not need to manually find the Credential ID.<\/li>\n
              • When you click “Add to profile” from within LinkedIn Learning, the platform automatically populates the Credential ID and Credential URL fields. No additional steps are needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Other or Offline Certifications<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • For certifications from universities, professional bodies (such as PMI, CIMA, or ACCA), or in-person training providers, check the following:\n
                    \n
                  • The physical or digital certificate document itself \u2014 many print a certificate number or registration number.<\/li>\n
                  • The confirmation email sent after you passed or completed the course.<\/li>\n
                  • The issuer’s online verification portal, where your name and a reference number may be listed.<\/li>\n
                  • Contact the issuing organisation directly if the certificate number is not visible anywhere.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    What if there is genuinely no Credential ID?<\/strong><\/p>\n

                    Some smaller certification providers, free online courses, or informal training programmes do not issue a unique credential identifier. In that case, you have three options: leave the Credential ID field blank, enter the certificate number if the document has one (even if it is not labelled as a “Credential ID”), or contact the issuer to ask whether a verification number exists. Never invent or fabricate a number.<\/p>\n

                    What Is the Credential URL Field?<\/h2>\n

                    LinkedIn’s certification form includes two verification fields that are frequently confused: the Credential ID and the Credential URL. They are different things, and both are worth filling in when possible.<\/p>\n

                    Credential ID vs. Credential URL: the key difference<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • The\u00a0Credential ID<\/strong>\u00a0is a static alphanumeric code \u2014 a reference number. It identifies your specific certificate in the issuer’s records.<\/li>\n
                    • The\u00a0Credential URL<\/strong>\u00a0is a clickable hyperlink that leads directly to a publicly accessible page where anyone can view and verify your certificate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Why the Credential URL often matters more in practice<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      When a recruiter views your LinkedIn profile, they see your listed certifications. If a Credential URL is present, it is displayed as a clickable link. The recruiter can click it and, in seconds, land on your certificate verification page \u2014 no searching, no emailing, no friction. A Credential ID alone requires the viewer to go to the issuer’s website, find the verification tool, and manually enter the ID. The URL removes all those steps.<\/p>\n

                      What URL should you enter?<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • For Coursera: the direct URL of your certificate page (e.g.,\u00a0https:\/\/coursera.org\/verify\/XXXXXXXXX<\/code>).<\/li>\n
                      • For Credly badges (Google, AWS, IBM, etc.): the public badge URL from your Credly profile.<\/li>\n
                      • For HubSpot: the public certificate URL generated from the “Share Certificate” option.<\/li>\n
                      • For LinkedIn Learning: auto-filled when adding through the platform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        How to find the verification URL<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        The process mirrors finding the Credential ID: open your certificate on the issuing platform, look for a “Share,” “Verify,” or “Public Link” option, and copy that URL. Any link that loads a publicly viewable certificate without requiring the viewer to log in is appropriate for this field.<\/p>\n

                        Why Recruiters and LinkedIn’s Algorithm Care<\/h2>\n

                        Filling in the Credential ID and Credential URL fields may feel like an administrative afterthought, but there are substantive reasons \u2014 both human and algorithmic \u2014 why it is worth the two minutes it takes.<\/p>\n

                        It makes your certification independently verifiable<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        Anyone can type “AWS Certified Solutions Architect” into their LinkedIn profile. The text field requires no proof. A Credential ID changes that dynamic: it signals that a unique identifier exists and that the certification can be checked. A Credential URL makes that check instant. Recruiters who take credentials seriously \u2014 particularly in technical fields, finance, project management, and healthcare \u2014 know this distinction.<\/p>\n

                        Recruiters are increasingly checking credentials<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has noted that resume fraud is a persistent and growing concern for hiring professionals. Digital badges and verifiable credentials exist precisely because organisations needed a way to distinguish genuine certifications from fabricated ones. When you provide a Credential ID and URL, you are actively reducing the friction that would otherwise discourage a recruiter from verifying your claim.<\/p>\n

                        LinkedIn’s profile completeness signals<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        LinkedIn encourages users to complete their profiles by surfacing a “Profile Strength” indicator. Fully completed sections \u2014 including certifications with all available fields populated \u2014 contribute to a stronger profile rating. LinkedIn has stated that users with complete profiles are significantly more likely to be found in recruiter searches. While LinkedIn does not publish a specific multiplier for certification completion, the general principle holds: more complete profiles rank better in LinkedIn’s internal search.<\/p>\n

                        The credibility signal in a low-trust environment<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        LinkedIn has publicly acknowledged issues with fake profiles and inflated credentials on its platform. In this environment, any verifiable data point you add to your profile differentiates you from candidates who rely on unverifiable claims. A linked, verifiable certification is a small but meaningful signal of professionalism and transparency.<\/p>\n

                        How to Add a Certification to LinkedIn (Full Walkthrough)<\/h2>\n

                        Adding a certification to LinkedIn takes fewer than three minutes when you have your details ready. Follow these steps exactly.<\/p>\n

                        Step 1: Go to your LinkedIn profile<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                          \n
                        • Click on your profile photo or name to open your profile page.<\/li>\n
                        • Scroll down and click the\u00a0“Add profile section”<\/strong>\u00a0button.<\/li>\n
                        • In the dropdown, click\u00a0“Recommended”<\/strong>\u00a0and then select\u00a0“Add licenses & certifications.”<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          Step 2: Fill in the certification name and issuing organisation<\/em>*<\/h3>\n
                            \n
                          • In the\u00a0Name<\/strong>\u00a0field, enter the exact official name of the certification (e.g., “Google Data Analytics Certificate,” not “Google cert”).<\/li>\n
                          • In the\u00a0Issuing Organisation<\/strong>\u00a0field, begin typing the name of the organisation. LinkedIn will suggest from a list \u2014 select the matching entry if it appears, as this links your certification to the organisation’s official LinkedIn page.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            Step 3: Enter the issue date<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                              \n
                            • Select the month and year the certification was issued.<\/li>\n
                            • If the certification has an expiry date, enter that in the\u00a0Expiration Date<\/strong>\u00a0field.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              Step 4: Toggle “This credential does not expire” if applicable<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                                \n
                              • If your certification has no expiry date \u2014 many academic certifications, professional body memberships, and foundational-level certificates fall into this category \u2014 tick the checkbox labelled\u00a0“This credential does not expire.”<\/strong>\u00a0This removes the expiration date field.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                Step 5: Add the Credential ID<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                                  \n
                                • Enter the unique ID issued by the certifying organisation (refer to the platform-by-platform guide in Section 3 above).<\/li>\n
                                • If you do not have one, leave this field blank rather than guessing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  Step 6: Add the Credential URL<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                                    \n
                                  • Paste the direct link to your publicly viewable certificate or digital badge.<\/li>\n
                                  • Test the link in a new browser tab before saving to confirm it loads correctly and does not require a login.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                    Step 7: Save and review<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                                      \n
                                    • Click\u00a0“Save.”<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                    • Return to your profile and scroll to the “Licenses & Certifications” section to confirm it appears correctly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                      Additional tips<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                                        \n
                                      • For naming consistency, always use the full official name of the certification. Abbreviations may be unclear to recruiters outside your field.<\/li>\n
                                      • For bootcamp or informal training certificates that lack a credential ID, it is still worth adding the certification. Fill in what you have and add the Credential URL if a verifiable link exists.<\/li>\n
                                      • Expired certifications can still be listed. Many professionals keep them visible to show a history of ongoing learning \u2014 simply include the expiration date so viewers understand the timeline.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                        Conclusion<\/h2>\n

                                        The Credential ID is a small field with a meaningful purpose. It is the difference between a certification that anyone could claim and one that can be confirmed in seconds. To summarise what this guide has covered: a Credential ID is a unique identifier issued by the certifying organisation \u2014 not LinkedIn \u2014 and it is an optional but valuable field that makes your certification independently verifiable. The Credential URL is a companion field that matters just as much, because it gives profile visitors a direct, clickable path to verify your certificate without any additional effort.<\/p>\n

                                        Neither field is required, but both are worth filling in whenever the information is available. The certifications section of your LinkedIn profile is one of the first things a recruiter scans when assessing a candidate’s qualifications. Every verifiable detail you add reduces doubt, saves the recruiter time, and signals that you are someone who is precise and professional in how they present themselves.<\/p>\n

                                        Your LinkedIn profile is often the first impression you make before anyone speaks to you. Make every field count \u2014 including the ones that look optional.<\/p>\n

                                        Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

                                        What if I don’t have a Credential ID \u2014 should I leave it blank?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                        Yes. If the issuing organisation did not provide a unique credential identifier, leave the field blank. LinkedIn will not penalise you for an empty field. An empty field is always preferable to an incorrect or fabricated one.<\/p>\n

                                        Can I make up a Credential ID?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                        No, and you should never do this. A Credential ID is used to verify your certification against an issuer’s records. If a recruiter or employer attempts to verify your credential using a fabricated ID, it will either return no result or return an error \u2014 both of which raise immediate red flags. Misrepresenting credentials is a serious professional risk and, in regulated industries, can have legal consequences.<\/p>\n

                                        What is the difference between a license and a certification on LinkedIn?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                        LinkedIn uses both terms in the section heading \u2014 “Licenses & Certifications” \u2014 because they serve different professional purposes. A\u00a0certification<\/strong>\u00a0is typically earned by completing a course or passing an exam and demonstrates a specific skill or knowledge area (e.g., a PMP certification, a Google Analytics certificate). A\u00a0license<\/strong>\u00a0is a formal permission granted by a regulatory or government body to practise in a specific profession \u2014 for example, a medical license, a real estate agent’s license, or a CPA license. Both can be added in the same section using the same form.<\/p>\n

                                        How do I find my LinkedIn Learning certificate ID?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                        You do not need to find it manually. When you complete a LinkedIn Learning course and click “Add to profile” from within the platform, LinkedIn automatically populates the Credential ID and Credential URL fields. The process is seamless if you add the certification through LinkedIn Learning directly rather than through the manual “Add profile section” route.<\/p>\n

                                        Does LinkedIn verify Credential IDs automatically?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                        No. LinkedIn does not independently verify Credential IDs against issuing organisations’ databases. The platform provides the field as a place for you to record the information, and it displays the Credential URL as a clickable link \u2014 but the act of verification is left to the viewer. LinkedIn has partnered with some credential issuers through its digital credential initiatives, but automatic cross-checking of manually entered IDs is not a standard feature of the platform.<\/p>\n

                                        Can I add a certification without an expiry date?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                        Yes. Use the “This credential does not expire” toggle in the form. Many certifications \u2014 particularly those from academic institutions or foundational professional programmes \u2014 do not carry an expiry date. Toggling this option removes the expiration date field and accurately represents the nature of the credential.<\/p>\n

                                        What should I put for Credential ID if I completed a free online course?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                        Many free online courses \u2014 from platforms like edX (audit track), YouTube tutorials, or single-topic MOOC providers \u2014 do not issue formal certificates with unique credential IDs. If you completed a free course that did not issue a certificate with a verifiable ID, you can still add it to your profile under the understanding that it cannot be verified. Leave the Credential ID blank and, if a completion page or certificate of completion URL exists, add that as the Credential URL. Be accurate about the issuing organisation and the nature of the course.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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