Frequently Asked Questions

#Profile & Visibility

#Who can see my profile?

It depends on your subscription tier:

• Pro and Premium — your full profile, including contact details (phone, email), is openly accessible to all visitors — both the public and logged-in attorneys. No credits or unlocks are required.
• Free — your name, headline, specialties, and credentials are visible to everyone, but your contact details are hidden behind a credit-based unlock. An attorney must spend 1 credit to reveal your contact information.

Subscribing to Pro or Premium removes the credit barrier entirely, making it easier for attorneys to reach you directly.

#How does an attorney unlock a Free-tier profile?

Attorneys purchase credits and spend one credit to unlock a Free-tier expert's profile. Once unlocked, they can see the contact information and reach out directly. Pro and Premium profiles do not require unlocking — they are open to all.

#Why am I not appearing in search results?

A few common reasons:

• Incomplete profile — profiles without a bio or specialties rank lower
• No photo — profiles without a headshot are deprioritized
• Trial expired — if your trial ended and you haven't subscribed, visibility is reduced
• Specialty mismatch — review your specialty tags and ensure they match what attorneys search for
• Profile hidden — check that your visibility toggle is set to "Visible" in your profile editor

#Can I set a custom URL for my profile?

Yes — Pro and Premium subscribers can set a custom slug in the Overview tab of the profile editor. Your profile will be accessible at /expert/your-custom-slug instead of a generated ID. This feature is not available on the Free tier.

#Analytics

#What analytics are available?

Analytics depend on your subscription tier:

• Free — no analytics access
• Pro — profile views, search appearances, click-through rate, daily trends, and top search queries
• Premium — everything in Pro, plus views by state and recent viewer details

#How do I access analytics?

Go to Dashboard → Analytics from the sidebar. You can switch between 7-day, 30-day, and 90-day views.

#What are "top search queries"?

These are the actual search terms attorneys typed that caused your profile to appear in results. Review them to understand what attorneys are looking for and optimize your specialties and headline accordingly.

#Documents

#How do I upload my CV?

Go to Dashboard → Documents or use the Quick Actions on your dashboard. Upload a PDF or Word document. Your CV helps pre-fill profile fields and gives attorneys additional context about your qualifications.

#What file types are supported?

You can upload PDFs, Word documents (.doc, .docx), and common image formats for certificates and licenses.

#Social Links

#Can I add my LinkedIn or Twitter profile?

Yes — in the Overview tab of your profile editor, scroll to the Social Links section. You can add links for LinkedIn, Twitter/X, email, phone, and your website. These appear on your public profile.

#Search Ranking

#How does Premium boost my search ranking?

Premium subscribers receive a priority ranking boost in search results. When an attorney searches for experts, your profile is weighted higher than Free and Pro profiles. This is automatic — no action needed.

#How do I maximize my search visibility?

1. Complete every section of your profile (bio, specialties, credentials, photo)
2. Keep your profile up to date with current information
3. Subscribe to Premium for the priority ranking boost
4. Set relevant specialty tags that match what attorneys search for

#Contact & Inquiries

#How will attorneys reach me?

If you're on Pro or Premium, your contact details are openly visible — attorneys can reach out directly without spending credits. If you're on the Free tier, attorneys must unlock your profile with a credit first. In both cases, attorneys can also send you inquiries through the platform.

#Where do I see attorney inquiries?

Go to Dashboard → Inquiries to see all inquiries you've received. Each inquiry includes the case type, summary, and the attorney's contact details. You can accept or decline directly from the inquiry detail page.

#Do I get notified about new inquiries?

Yes — you receive real-time notifications when an attorney sends you an inquiry, responds to a message, or unlocks your profile. A badge appears in the top navigation and updates automatically without refreshing the page. You also receive email notifications for important events.

#Can I control which attorneys contact me?

Currently, any attorney can contact you — either directly (if you're on Pro or Premium) or by unlocking your profile with a credit (Free tier). You cannot restrict access to specific attorneys.

#Messages

#Where do I find my messages?

Go to Dashboard → Messages in the sidebar. The Messages link shows an unread badge that updates in real time.

#How do message threads get created?

When you accept an attorney's inquiry, a message thread is automatically created. Both you and the attorney can then exchange messages in that thread.

#Do messages update in real time?

Yes — new messages appear automatically without refreshing. If you're on the thread list, updated threads move to the top. If you're inside a thread, new messages scroll into view instantly.

#How do I know when I have unread messages?

Three indicators: (1) the Messages link in the sidebar shows a badge count, (2) each thread card shows an amber dot and unread badge, and (3) you receive email notifications if enabled.

#Account

#How do I change my email address?

Your email is managed by your Clerk account. Visit your account settings from the user menu in the top navigation.

#How do I delete my account?

Contact support@exlitem.com to request account deletion. Your profile will be removed from search results within 24 hours.

#Can I have multiple profiles?

No — each expert has one profile tied to their account. If you need to update your specialties or credentials significantly, edit your existing profile.