Below is a simple, clear analysis and a ready-to-publish blog about what a typical LinkedIn search link contains, how LinkedIn search works (including Boolean and new AI features), and safe/legal things to know. I explain the URL parts, give practical tips, and show examples so you can use or share a LinkedIn search link confidently.
What is a LinkedIn search link?
A LinkedIn search link is the web address you see after you run a search on LinkedIn. It usually starts like this:
https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/? followed by several pieces of information (called query parameters). These parameters tell LinkedIn exactly what you searched for — for example keywords, location, company, language, or filters. When you copy that full link, anyone with proper access and permission can open the same search results (or close to it). This makes the link useful for sharing saved searches or showing a recruiter what you searched. (lobstr.io)
How the URL is built — common parameters you’ll see
When you look at a LinkedIn search link, you may see parameters like these (each is followed by an equals sign and a value):
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keywords=— the words you typed in (job title, skills, university, etc.). -
currentCompany=— IDs or names representing a company filter. -
geoUrn=— geographic region IDs (country or city). -
profileLanguage=— the language filter for profiles. -
firstName=,lastName=— name filters (used in more specific searches).
Example (simplified):
https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=%22product+manager%22¤tCompany=%5B%221035%22%5D&geoUrn=%5B%22103644278%22%5D
Many of the values are encoded (percent signs and numbers) because URLs must be safe for the web. You can copy everything after the ? and paste it into a URL encoder/decoder to read the real filters more easily. (lobstr.io)
Boolean search — find better matches with simple operators
LinkedIn supports Boolean search, which helps you combine or exclude terms:
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AND— both words must be present (java AND python) -
OR— either word is OK (java OR kotlin) -
NOT— exclude a word (developer NOT "front end") -
Quotes
"— exact phrase ("product manager") -
Parentheses
()— group terms (("data scientist" OR "ml engineer") AND "remote")
Type these operators in the main LinkedIn search bar and they will be reflected in the search results and often encoded into the search URL. Boolean lets recruiters and job seekers narrow down results precisely. (LinkedIn)
New AI-powered search: natural language queries
Recently LinkedIn added AI search features that let you type natural sentences like:
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“Find me journalists in New York who cover sports”
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“Northwestern alumni who work in entertainment marketing”
The AI aims to understand intent and return relevant people or job results without needing rigid filters. This is changing how people build searches — fewer exact keyword strings and more descriptive queries. Note: some AI features were initially rolled out to Premium users and are expanding gradually. (The Verge)
Practical tips: how to read and share a LinkedIn search link
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Run the search in LinkedIn using filters or Boolean.
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Look at the URL — the parameters after
?show the filters you used. -
Decode long values using an online URL decoder if you want to read company IDs or geo IDs.
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Share carefully — the recipient must have the right account and permissions to see the same results. Some results change with account level (free vs Premium) or connection level. (lobstr.io)
Example: a sample people-search URL explained
Suppose this URL:
https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=%22data+analyst%22&geoUrn=%5B%2210222%22%5D¤tCompany=%5B%221234%22%5D
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keywords="data analyst"— you searched for the exact phrase data analyst. -
geoUrn=[10222]— the numeric place ID (city/country) used by LinkedIn. -
currentCompany=[1234]— the internal ID for the company filter.
If you paste this into your browser while logged into LinkedIn, the page will try to show people who match those filters. If IDs or filters change or if LinkedIn updates the UI, the exact output might differ slightly. (lobstr.io)
Legal and safety note — scraping and automation
It’s important to know that automating LinkedIn (scraping profiles, mass collection) often breaks LinkedIn’s Terms of Service and can lead to account restrictions. There are third-party scraping tools and APIs that claim to get LinkedIn data, but using them is risky and may be against the rules. Always prefer LinkedIn’s official APIs (which require permission) or manual searches for compliance. If you need large-scale data for recruiting or sales, use LinkedIn’s paid products like Recruiter or Sales Navigator that are designed for that use. (MagicalAPI)
Quick hacks and good practices
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Use Boolean + filters together for best precision.
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Save searches in LinkedIn if you use the same query often (LinkedIn allows saved searches for job hunters and recruiters).
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Use URL decoding to understand hidden IDs.
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When sharing a search link with colleagues, include a short note describing the filters — this helps if their account level shows different results.
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Respect privacy: don’t use searches to harass, spam, or mass-contact people. LinkedIn monitors suspicious activity.
Final summary — why the search link matters
A LinkedIn search link is more than a URL — it is a snapshot of your search filters and intent. It helps you reproduce the search, teach someone else, or save a configuration. Understanding the parameters (keywords, company IDs, geoUrn, language) makes the link useful for recruiting, job hunting, and research. New AI features are making search more natural, but the classic Boolean and filter-driven approach still gives the tightest control. Always follow LinkedIn’s rules for data use and be careful with automation.