Do ATS Robots Click Your Links?

## The Parsing Myth A common fear is that including a hyperlink in your CV will "confuse" the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) or cause a rejection. **The Reality:** The ATS parser (the robot) does not click links. It strips the text from your document and dumps it into a standardised profile. It doesn't care about your LinkedIn profile... yet. ## Who Is the Link For? The link is for the **human recruiter** who reads the PDF after you have passed the robot score. Think of it this way: - The ATS scores your keywords and experience - The recruiter verifies your credibility Your LinkedIn link serves the second audience, not the first. ## The Technical Hazard While the link itself is fine, **placement matters**. ### Header/Footer Risk Some older ATS parsers ignore Headers and Footers entirely. If your LinkedIn URL lives only in the header, the system may never extract it—and the recruiter may miss it too. ### The Safe Zone Place your LinkedIn URL just below your Name/Contact info in the **main body** of the document. This ensures both machines and humans can access it. If you prefer using a header, ensure it's "readable" text—not embedded in a graphic or text box. ## The Verdict **Include the link. Make it clickable.** But assume the robot won't see it, and the human will rely on it. Your LinkedIn profile is your extended CV. Make it easy to find. ### Pro Tip: The "Spy" Link Want to know if they actually clicked your profile? Instead of using the raw LinkedIn URL, run it through **Bitly** (or a similar shortener) to create a tracked link. **Warning:** Rename the Bitly link to something professional (e.g., `bit.ly/GaryPine-Profile`), or it looks like spam. --- *For more on ATS compatibility, explore our [ATS Optimisation](/ats-optimization) insights.*