LinkedIn is a social networking platform designed for professionals and businesses. Launched on May 5, 2003, it allows users to create resumes, build career connections, apply for jobs, follow companies, and share professional content. LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft and is widely regarded as the world’s largest professional networking site.
History edit
LinkedIn was founded in December 2002 by Reid Hoffman, Allen Blue, Konstantin Guericke, Eric Ly, and Jean-Luc Vaillant. The site officially launched in May 2003 and grew steadily, reaching 1 million users by 2004.
By 2011, LinkedIn had gone public on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol **LNKD**. In June 2016, Microsoft announced its acquisition of LinkedIn for $26.2 billion, completed later that year. Since then, LinkedIn has operated as a subsidiary of Microsoft with a degree of independence.
Features edit
Profiles edit
Each LinkedIn user has a profile similar to an online résumé. It includes sections such as:
- Summary
- Work experience
- Education
- Skills & endorsements
- Recommendations
- Licenses and certifications
Networking edit
Users can connect with other professionals, follow companies, and join interest-based groups. LinkedIn recommends connections based on mutual contacts, work history, and interests.
Job Search edit
LinkedIn is widely used by job seekers and recruiters. Users can:
- Browse job listings
- Apply for jobs directly
- Enable "Open to Work" status
- Get recruited via LinkedIn Talent Solutions
LinkedIn Learning edit
A premium educational platform offering online courses in business, tech, leadership, and creative skills. Formerly known as Lynda.com, it was integrated after LinkedIn acquired it in 2015.
LinkedIn Premium edit
Paid membership tiers that offer:
- Advanced profile viewing insights
- Direct InMail messages
- Enhanced job applicant visibility
- Access to LinkedIn Learning
News Feed and Publishing edit
Users can share articles, updates, polls, and long-form posts. Influencers and professionals often use LinkedIn to establish thought leadership through content publishing.
Privacy and Data edit
LinkedIn has faced criticism over its data policies and has taken steps to improve privacy, such as restricting third-party scraping and offering users more control over visibility. Users can control who sees their profile, activity, and contact details.
User Base edit
As of 2024:
- Over 950 million members
- Users from over 200 countries
- Most popular in the U.S., India, UK, and Brazil
- Widely used by recruiters, job seekers, CEOs, freelancers, and students
Criticism edit
- Data breaches: LinkedIn experienced major data leaks in 2012 and 2021.
- Spam and fake profiles: Criticized for rising number of bots and unsolicited messages.
- Paywall for features: Some job search tools and analytics are restricted to premium users.
Impact edit
LinkedIn has changed how professionals network, how companies recruit, and how individuals build personal brands. It has also contributed to the rise of “social recruiting” and digital résumé culture.
See also edit
External links edit
- Official LinkedIn Website
- LinkedIn Learning
- LinkedIn Newsroom
- Template:IMDb company (for LinkedIn original video content)