How to Add Projects on LinkedIn (and the Missing Link Field)

The Projects section is one of the most useful and least used parts of a LinkedIn profile. A job title tells people where you worked; a project shows what you delivered. For freelancers, consultants and small business owners, it's a way to show client work, launches and side projects without inventing a job for each one. Here's how to add a project and make it worth reading.

Add a project on a computer

1. Click the Me icon, then View Profile.
2. Click Add profile section in your introduction section.
3. Open Recommended and choose Projects.
4. Fill in the details in the pop-up window.
5. Click Save.

Add a project from your phone

1. Tap your profile picture, then tap it again to open your profile.
2. Tap Add section.
3. Tap Recommended, then Projects.
4. Enter the details and tap Save.

The missing link field

If you've followed an older guide and can't find the Project URL box, you're not imagining it. LinkedIn's help says the Project URL field isn't available for newly added projects. To link to the work, click or tap Add media on the project and choose Add a link. It's a small change, but it trips a lot of people up.

Where Projects sits on your profile

Category in Add profile section	Includes
Core	About, Education, Position, Services, Career break, Skills
Recommended	Featured, Licenses and certifications, Projects, Courses, Recommendations
Additional	Volunteer experience, Publications, Patents, Honors and awards, and more

Knowing the layout helps: if you're looking for Projects under the old Accomplishments heading, it's now in Recommended.

What to write in a project

• A clear name. 'Website relaunch for a local bakery' beats 'Project A'.
• What the problem was. One sentence on why the project existed.
• What you did. Your part, in plain words.
• What happened. The result, if you can share it, such as a launch, a time saving or more enquiries.
• A link or file. Use Add media to show the finished work.

Keep each one short. Three or four sentences that someone can read in a few seconds will do more than a long description nobody finishes.

Projects or Featured?

Both can show your work, so which should you use? Featured sits near the top of your profile and holds links, documents, images, presentations and videos, so it's best for your two or three strongest pieces. Projects sits further down and gives each piece more context: what it was, what you did and the outcome. I'd use Featured as the shop window and Projects as the portfolio behind it.

Project ideas for business owners

• A client campaign or website you delivered.
• A product, course or service you launched.
• A free resource or tool you built.
• A community event or initiative you organised.
• A talk series, podcast or video series you produced.

Projects that don't fit a job title

This is where the section earns its place. Plenty of good work never had a job title attached: a website you built for a friend's business, a short contract, a campaign you ran alongside your main role, or a launch inside your own company. Rather than creating a separate position for each one, which clutters your Experience section, group them as projects. Your Experience stays clean and readable, and your profile still shows the range of what you've done.

Order matters

People skim. Put your most relevant, most impressive project where it'll be seen first, and if an older project no longer matches the work you want, take it off. A short list of strong, current projects says far more about you than a long list of everything you've ever touched.

Check you can share it

Before you add client work, make sure you're allowed to talk about it. Some clients are happy to be named; others prefer you describe the work without naming them. 'Social media strategy for a national charity' still shows what you can do. When in doubt, ask the client, because a quick yes protects the relationship and often leads to a recommendation too.

Keep projects current

A Projects section with one entry from years ago looks abandoned. Add new projects as you finish them, and remove ones that no longer reflect the work you want to be hired for. If you're steering your business in a new direction, your projects are one of the quickest ways to show it, because they're evidence rather than claims.

Make your profile tell one story

Projects work best when they back up your headline and About section. If your headline says you help small businesses with content, your projects should show content work for small businesses. My personal brand positioning prompts help you get that story straight, and my guide to building a personal brand as a consultant covers the bigger picture.

My verdict

Add profile section, Recommended, Projects, fill it in and Save. Use Add media for links, since the URL field has gone, write short descriptions that show the problem, your part and the result, and keep the list current. It's an easy way to turn a profile from a CV into a portfolio.

Frequently asked questions

How do I add a project on LinkedIn?

Go to your profile, click Add profile section, open Recommended and choose Projects, then fill in the details and click Save.

Why can't I add a project URL on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn says the Project URL field isn't available for newly added projects. Use Add media, then Add a link.

Where is the Projects section on LinkedIn?

It's in the Recommended category when you click Add profile section on your profile.

Should I use Projects or Featured on LinkedIn?

Use Featured for your strongest few pieces near the top, and Projects to give more context on each piece of work.

Can I add client work to LinkedIn Projects?

Yes, as long as you're allowed to share it. If not, describe the work without naming the client.