Recommendations on LinkedIn are written testimonials from connections that endorse your professional skills, work ethic, or character. They appear on your profile and provide social proof of your expertise and reliability. Unlike endorsements, recommendations are personalized and detailed.
How Recommendations Work
When a connection writes a recommendation, it appears in the Recommendations section of your LinkedIn profile. You can request recommendations from colleagues, managers, clients, or collaborators to highlight specific projects or skills. Once received, you can review and choose to display or hide each recommendation.
Recommendations include the recommender’s name, job title, and company, adding credibility. They allow professionals to share authentic feedback about your work style and achievements. You can also reciprocate by writing recommendations for others, strengthening your network relationships.
LinkedIn encourages recommendations as part of building a strong professional identity, but there is no limit on how many you can receive or display.
Why Recommendations Matter
Recommendations provide tangible social proof that enhances your LinkedIn profile’s trustworthiness. According to LinkedIn Business Blog, profiles with recommendations are more likely to gain recruiter attention and receive job offers. They help differentiate you from competitors by showcasing real-world impact and endorsements beyond just listed skills.
For professionals seeking new opportunities or business clients, recommendations build credibility and demonstrate your value in concrete terms. They also improve profile completeness, which LinkedIn favors in search results.
Unlike endorsements that can be quick clicks, recommendations require effort and thought, making them more meaningful to hiring managers and decision-makers.
How to Use Recommendations Effectively
- Request recommendations from people who know your work well and can speak to specific skills or projects.
- Personalize your recommendation requests with context about what you want highlighted.
- Regularly review your recommendations and keep the most relevant and recent ones visible.
- Write recommendations for others to build goodwill and encourage reciprocity.
- Combine recommendations with endorsements and a strong LinkedIn Skills section for maximum profile impact.
- Use the Profile Optimizer tool to identify gaps and opportunities related to your recommendations.
For more detailed strategies, see our LinkedIn Recommendations Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a recommendation from my LinkedIn profile?
Yes, you can hide or delete any recommendation you no longer want displayed. Go to your profile’s Recommendations section, find the recommendation, and choose the option to remove it.
How do I ask for a recommendation on LinkedIn?
Navigate to the profile of the connection you want a recommendation from, click “More,” then select “Request a recommendation.” Customize your message to explain why you’re asking and what you’d like them to highlight.
Related terms: endorsements, LinkedIn Skills
Related guide: LinkedIn Recommendations Guide
Related tool: Profile Optimizer