You share a link on LinkedIn, see plenty of engagement, but have no idea who actually clicked through to your website—or what they did after they arrived.
This is one of the biggest frustrations for professionals using LinkedIn to drive traffic. Unlike platforms with robust built-in analytics, LinkedIn has historically made link tracking difficult. But that’s changing. LinkedIn now offers native post-level link click data, and there are powerful third-party tools that give you even deeper insights.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to track LinkedIn link clicks using every available method. We’ll cover LinkedIn’s new native analytics, UTM parameters with Google Analytics, the LinkedIn Insight Tag for paid campaigns, branded URL shorteners, and more. By the end, you’ll know precisely which LinkedIn posts drive real traffic and conversions.
TL;DR
Track LinkedIn link clicks using three main approaches. First, check LinkedIn’s new native post analytics—Premium members can now see link clicks on individual posts . Second, add UTM parameters to your links and monitor them in Google Analytics for deeper insights. Third, use a branded URL shortener with built-in click tracking to see geographic data, device types, and referral sources that LinkedIn doesn’t provide . For paid campaigns, install the LinkedIn Insight Tag to track conversions like demo requests and form submissions .
Key Takeaways
- LinkedIn now shows link clicks on individual posts—this debunks the myth that LinkedIn punishes posts with links .
- Premium subscribers get access to detailed Link Engagement metrics, including custom button clicks .
- UTM parameters are essential for seeing LinkedIn traffic in Google Analytics—use
utm_source=linkedinfor organic posts. - The LinkedIn Insight Tag tracks conversions from paid campaigns but does not work for organic content .
- Branded URL shorteners provide comprehensive click tracking—including location, device, and browser data—that LinkedIn’s native tools don’t offer .
- Stop hiding links in comments—the algorithm doesn’t punish links; weak context around why someone should click is the real performance killer .
Method 1: LinkedIn’s Native Post Analytics (New Feature)
LinkedIn has recently introduced the ability to see link clicks on individual posts. This is a game-changer for professionals who want to know which content drives traffic .
What You Can See
When you click “View analytics” on any of your posts, you can now see:
- Link clicks – how many people clicked the URL in your post
- Profile activity – how many people visited your profile after seeing the post
- Follower growth – new followers gained from that specific post
- Link Engagement – for Premium members, clicks on external links and custom CTAs
Important Limitations
While this is a huge step forward, LinkedIn’s native link tracking has limits:
- Premium requirement – some link click data is only available to Premium subscribers
- No detailed audience data – you can see total clicks, but not who clicked, where they’re located, or what device they used
- No conversion tracking – you can’t see what people did after they clicked your link
- Aggregated data only – you can’t export or integrate this data with other analytics tools
This new feature confirms that LinkedIn does not punish posts with links—it actively provides tools to optimize for link clicks .
Method 2: UTM Parameters for LinkedIn Traffic
UTM parameters are tags added to the end of a URL that tell Google Analytics where traffic came from. This is the most common way to track LinkedIn link clicks if you’re already using Google Analytics.
A LinkedIn UTM-tagged URL looks like this:
Essential UTM Parameters for LinkedIn
| Parameter | Purpose | Example Value |
|---|---|---|
utm_source | Identifies the traffic source | linkedin, linkedin_organic |
utm_medium | Identifies the channel type | social, organic, paid |
utm_campaign | Identifies a specific campaign | summer_sale, product_launch |
utm_content | Differentiates similar content | post_variant_a, carousel_v1 |
How to Set Up UTM Tracking for LinkedIn
- Create your destination URL (e.g., your landing page or blog post).
- Add UTM parameters using Google’s Campaign URL Builder or a similar tool.
- Copy the full UTM-tagged URL.
- Paste it directly into your LinkedIn post, or shorten it first using a URL shortener.
- Wait 24-48 hours, then check Google Analytics under Acquisition → Campaigns → All Campaigns.
- Filter by
utm_source = linkedinto see all LinkedIn traffic.
Pro tip: Create a unique utm_campaign value for each LinkedIn post so you can tell which specific content drove traffic .
Method 3: Branded URL Shorteners with Click Tracking
Using a branded URL shortener is one of the most powerful ways to track LinkedIn link clicks. These tools provide detailed analytics that LinkedIn’s native tools don’t offer .
What Branded Shorteners Track
- Total clicks and unique clicks – see how many individuals clicked your link
- Geographic data – know which countries your clicks come from
- Device and browser information – see if your audience is on mobile, desktop, or tablet
- Referral sources – see exactly where the clicks originated
- Real-time data – monitor performance as it happens
Example Branded Short Link
Instead of using LinkedIn’s lnkd.in or a generic bit.ly/xyz123, a branded link looks like:
go.yourbrand.com/linkedin-guide
This builds trust, reinforces your brand, and provides detailed analytics .
Important: Unlike LinkedIn’s lnkd.in links, which don’t track clicks, branded shorteners give you comprehensive click data you can use to optimize your strategy .
Method 4: LinkedIn Insight Tag for Paid Campaigns
The LinkedIn Insight Tag is a JavaScript snippet you install on your website to track conversions from LinkedIn ads. It only works for paid campaigns—not organic posts .
What the Insight Tag Does
- Conversion tracking – see when someone who clicked your ad completes a valuable action (demo request, form submission, purchase)
- Retargeting audiences – build audiences of people who visited specific pages on your site
- Campaign optimization – use conversion data to optimize bids and targeting
- ROI measurement – calculate cost per conversion and return on ad spend
How to Install the Insight Tag
- Log into LinkedIn Campaign Manager.
- Navigate to Account Assets → Insight Tag.
- Copy the JavaScript snippet generated for your account.
- Paste it into your website’s code before the closing
</head>tag . - Set up conversion events in Campaign Manager (e.g., thank-you page visits, form submissions).
- Assign conversions to specific ad campaigns.
- Monitor conversion data in Campaign Manager reports .
Limitations of the Insight Tag
- Only tracks paid activity – organic posts don’t appear in Campaign Manager
- Requires website code access – you need to install the tag yourself or via Google Tag Manager
- Cookie-based attribution – browser privacy changes are making this less reliable over time
Comparison Table: LinkedIn Link Tracking Methods
| Method | Best For | Tracked Data | Limitations | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn Native Post Analytics | Organic posts | Total link clicks, profile views, follower growth | Premium required for full data, no audience details | Free (limited) / Premium |
| UTM Parameters + Google Analytics | Organic and paid campaigns | Traffic source, campaign performance, user behavior | Requires Google Analytics setup | Free |
| Branded URL Shortener | All LinkedIn links | Total clicks, unique clicks, location, device, browser | Paid plans for detailed analytics | Free tier / subscription |
| LinkedIn Insight Tag | Paid ad campaigns | Conversions, retargeting audiences, ROI | Paid campaigns only, cookie-based | Free to install |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Hiding links in comments out of fear. LinkedIn doesn’t punish link posts. Comments with links often get hidden under “most relevant” sorting, reducing visibility. Put your link in the post body .
- Trusting lnkd.in for click data. LinkedIn’s native shortener doesn’t track clicks. If channel attribution matters, use a third-party shortener .
- Using the same short link for multiple posts. You can’t tell which specific post drove traffic. Create unique links for each post.
- Not testing links before posting. Broken redirects mean lost traffic. Click every link yourself before publishing.
- Sharing generic shortened links. Branded links look more professional and can improve click-through rates .
- Ignoring mobile traffic. LinkedIn is predominantly mobile—ensure your landing pages are mobile-friendly.
Best Practices for LinkedIn Link Tracking
- Use a consistent naming convention for UTM campaigns so you can easily filter and compare data.
- Add clear context about why someone should click your link—weak CTAs kill performance, not the link itself .
- Check your link preview before posting—a broken or irrelevant preview image reduces clicks.
- Monitor your click data weekly and adjust your content strategy based on what works.
- Combine methods for maximum insight: use a branded shortener + UTM parameters + LinkedIn’s native analytics.
- Verify your Insight Tag is working after installation using LinkedIn’s tag validator .
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I track link clicks on LinkedIn for free?
Yes, LinkedIn now shows link clicks on individual posts for free. However, some detailed metrics and custom button clicks require a Premium subscription .
Does LinkedIn penalize posts with links?
No. LinkedIn now provides tools to track link clicks, confirming the platform doesn’t suppress links. The real performance issue is weak context or relevance, not the link itself .
Can I track conversions from LinkedIn organic posts?
LinkedIn’s native Insight Tag only tracks paid campaigns. For organic posts, use UTM parameters with Google Analytics or a URL shortener that tracks click-through data .
What’s the best tool to track LinkedIn link clicks?
For detailed click data, use a branded URL shortener like Rebrandly or Linkly. For conversion tracking from ads, use the LinkedIn Insight Tag. For free tracking, LinkedIn’s native analytics plus UTM parameters work well .
How do I see link clicks on my LinkedIn posts?
Click “View analytics” on any of your posts. LinkedIn will show link clicks, profile views, and follower growth for that post .
Can I track clicks from LinkedIn to Google Analytics?
Yes. Add UTM parameters (utm_source=linkedin) to your URLs and you’ll see LinkedIn traffic in Google Analytics under Acquisition > Campaigns .
Putting It All Together
Tracking LinkedIn link clicks is now easier than ever, but the right approach depends on your goals:
- For basic tracking: Use LinkedIn’s native post analytics—check link clicks on each post under “View analytics.”
- For deeper audience data: Use a branded URL shortener to see location, device, and referral information LinkedIn doesn’t provide.
- For campaign attribution: Add UTM parameters and monitor performance in Google Analytics.
- For paid ads: Install the LinkedIn Insight Tag to track conversions and retarget audiences.
The most effective strategy combines multiple approaches. Use a branded shortener with UTM parameters, post the link directly in your post, and monitor both your shortener dashboard and LinkedIn’s native analytics. This gives you complete visibility into who clicks, where they come from, and what they do after landing on your site.
Ready to track your LinkedIn links? Start with your next post—add UTM parameters, use a branded shortener, and check LinkedIn’s analytics after 24 hours. Drop any questions in the comments and we’ll help you out.
