How often should you update your LinkedIn profile photo?

If you’re wondering if it’s time to update your LinkedIn photo, the time to update it probably passed months (or years) ago. You already know it’s due for a refresh, so let’s talk about why. We’ll cover what your headshot says about you, how it impacts your visibility, and even how it plays into LinkedIn’s job-search algorithms.

Know what the LinkedIn profile photo is there for

A profile image on LinkedIn serves two purposes. The first is pretty simple: to make it easy for people to recognize you. Most of our first impressions are online now, and when you start working with someone such as a client, vendor, or even a new team member in your office, before you see them in the flesh you see their photo on LinkedIn or in their email signature, Teams, Slack, or some other company communication system. 

But the second impression is equally important because it can make or break your credibility. When you meet someone in person and they look nothing like their photo, what usually runs through your mind? If the photo looks overly retouched you’re likely thinking they’re insecure. If the photo looks like it was taken 10 years ago you probably think they’re lazy for not updating it (or they’re holding onto the past). If it just plain doesn’t look like them at all you’re probably wondering who you’re talking to and if they are who they say they are.

Now imagine you walk into a job interview looking nothing like your profile photo and those exact sentiments are swirling through the interviewers’ heads. Not only are you setting yourself up for an uphill battle to get the job, you’re probably not walking into the interview with the confidence you should be feeling.

The second purpose is all about brand building. Your profile image is your personal brand, and it doesn’t stay stagnant like a logo. Even the most classic logos get a refresh every now and then. A new profile photo on LinkedIn signifies growth and evolution in your career. And a professionally taken photo showcases importance, influence, and respectability. 

You evolve and your career evolves, even when you don’t change jobs. Updating everyone on your most recent achievements isn’t done only through the written content in your profile under the projects section, the posts you make, and your bio. A new photo update visually and psychologically indicates growth and advancement to your followers and connections. When you see an alert in your feed that one of your contacts has uploaded a new photo, what pops in your head? Movement, right? Growth, advancement, excitement, and success. And the thought of, “gee, I should probably update mine, too,” right?

Your LinkedIn profile photo should match your vibe

Here’s a quick test to run on your profile photo to determine if it’s time for an update. Think of three words you want people to use to describe you when they see your profile photo. Words like, “confident,” “approachable,” and “successful,” for example. Now look at your photo. Does your photo exhibit those words through your posing, expression, and the lighting and background in the photo? Are your eyes locked on the camera as if it’s the person viewing your profile photo and you're truly showing them that you’re knowledgeable, exciting, casual, formal, or courageous?

Here’s the second part of the test. As part of your personal brand, your LinkedIn profile photo should also demonstrate your profession and industry. For example, if you’re a public speaker your photo should be dynamic and you should look dauntless and assertive. If you’re in finance, your profile photo should convey trustworthiness and stability. If you’re in mental healthcare someone looking at your photo should see warmth, understanding, and knowledge.

But seriously, how often do I need to change my profile picture on LinkedIn?

If everything in your profile and career is staying consistent and stable, then the rule of thumb is to update your LinkedIn profile photo at least about every 1-3 years. But you immediately need a new photo when any of these things happen:

You change your look enough to make it hard to recognize your old profile photo as you. A new pair of glasses or a little trim of your hair is usually not enough to force you back into the photo studio. But a new hair color, growing or shaving off a full beard, or a completely new hair style that changes the look of the shape of your face are events to warrant a photo update.

You get “the look” in real life. When you meet someone in person for the first time after only corresponding online and staring at each other’s profile photos and they get this look on their face like, “oh, it’s you, I think,” then it’s time for a new photo.

You start a job search. There are certain updates to your LinkedIn profile that the algorithm likes because it signifies freshness and relevancy and will get you more views, which means getting you in front of hiring managers. Updating your profile photo and using rich media in your posts (photos and video) is one of those things, as well as updating your profile headline about once a month and adding volunteer experience (did you know that adding volunteer experience gets you six times more profile views?).

You get a new job. This is the coveted profile photo change for most of us: an advancement in your career such as a new position or a new company or even a new career change that shows the world your movement and success. Using the same profile photo at a new job isn’t a fresh start. It’s the same face in a new office chair.

Final thoughts

A LinkedIn profile photo isn’t a carton of milk that has a set expiration date. And it’s definitely not a bottle of wine that gets better the longer you let it sit there. It’s a living document. It’s your own human logo that expresses your personality, your professional identity, and it should be working for you to reach your goals. And when you add a professional photo to your profile you want people to look at it and think, “man they must be up to something pretty important lately.”