LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a business-oriented social media platform established on May 5, 2003, by Reid Hoffman and Eric Ly. Operating through websites and mobile apps, LinkedIn focuses on professional networking and career development. It allows users to create profiles, connect with others, and engage in various professional activities, such as job searching, recruiting, and publishing content.

Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, LinkedIn is a subsidiary of Microsoft, having been acquired in December 2016. As of February 2024, LinkedIn employs approximately 18,500 individuals and has 36 global offices. The company's CEO is Ryan Roslansky, with Jeff Weiner serving as Executive Chairman, and Reid Hoffman as Chairman of the Board.

LinkedIn's core functionality includes profile creation for users, which typically features a detailed curriculum vitae, professional experiences, and a personal photo. Users can connect with other professionals, follow companies, and apply for jobs directly through the platform. The network enables users to interact through likes, congratulatory messages, and direct messaging. It also supports the sharing of videos, articles, and updates.

The platform features various applications and integrations, including third-party tools that interact with LinkedIn's developer API. This allows users to manage their profiles, share content, and integrate with external services. LinkedIn also offers a mobile version, which was first launched in February 2008, and includes features such as business card scanning and email integration.

LinkedIn Groups facilitate professional discussions and networking, with a vast number of groups available for various interests. The platform has also introduced features such as LinkedIn Influencers, where thought leaders share insights, and LinkedIn Profinder, which connects freelancers with potential clients.

The platform is widely used for job-seeking and personal branding. It enables users to research companies, apply for jobs, and showcase their skills and experiences. LinkedIn's Top Companies and Top Voices rankings highlight notable organisations and influential members based on engagement and interest.

For advertising, LinkedIn offers various options, including Sponsored Updates and carousel ads. Business Manager is a centralised platform for managing advertising accounts and business pages. The publishing platform includes analytics tools to help authors track post performance.

LinkedIn was founded on December 5, 2002, by Reid Hoffman and a team of former PayPal and Socialnet.com employees, including Allen Blue, Eric Ly, Jean-Luc Vaillant, Lee Hower, Konstantin Guericke, Stephen Beitzel, David Eves, Ian McNish, Yan Pujante, and Chris Saccheri. The company was officially launched on May 5, 2003, from its base in Mountain View, California.

In its early years, LinkedIn focused on creating a platform for professional networking. By August 2004, LinkedIn had attracted its first million users. The company reached a milestone in March 2006, achieving its first month of profitability. This success paved the way for rapid growth, and by April 2007, LinkedIn's user base had expanded to 10 million. The launch of a mobile version of the site in February 2008 marked another significant step in its development.

LinkedIn's growth continued as the company attracted further investment. In June 2008, Sequoia Capital, Greylock Partners, and other venture firms acquired a 5% stake in LinkedIn for $53 million, valuing the company at around $1 billion. By November 2009, LinkedIn had established its first office in Mumbai and soon expanded into Sydney. In 2010, the company opened its International Headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and received a $20 million investment from Tiger Global Management, pushing its valuation to approximately $2 billion. LinkedIn also made its first acquisition, Mspoke, and continued to grow its premium subscription services.

LinkedIn went public on May 19, 2011, with its shares trading under the NYSE symbol "LNKD" at an initial price of $45. The stock surged 171% on its first day of trading, closing at $94.25. The company continued to expand rapidly, with a significant increase in advertising revenue and a growing workforce, which reached around 2,100 full-time employees by the end of 2011.

In April 2014, LinkedIn leased a new 26-story building in San Francisco’s SoMa district to accommodate up to 2,500 employees. The company moved into the building in March 2016. However, the same year, LinkedIn faced a decline in its share price following an earnings report, with its shares dropping 43.6% in one day.

A significant development occurred in June 2016 when Microsoft announced its acquisition of LinkedIn for $196 per share, a total valuation of $26.2 billion. This acquisition, Microsoft’s largest until the purchase of Activision Blizzard in 2022, was completed on December 8, 2016. Under Microsoft’s ownership, LinkedIn was allowed to maintain its brand, culture, and independence, with Jeff Weiner continuing as CEO and reporting to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

Post-acquisition, LinkedIn introduced several new features and updates, including a new desktop interface designed to enhance the user experience. Despite some initial challenges with user feedback on the updated interface, the company continued to innovate. In 2019, LinkedIn launched "Open for Business," a feature enabling freelancers to be discovered on the platform, and also introduced LinkedIn Events.

In June 2020, Jeff Weiner stepped down as CEO, succeeded by Ryan Roslansky. Under Roslansky’s leadership, LinkedIn faced some challenges due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, including layoffs. In April 2021, it was reported that a large number of LinkedIn accounts were reportedly compromised, although LinkedIn clarified that this was not a data breach but rather aggregated data from various sources.

Microsoft decided to end LinkedIn’s operations in China in October 2021. The following year, in 2022, LinkedIn generated $13.8 billion in revenue, reflecting its continued success and growth. In May 2023, LinkedIn streamlined its operations by reducing its workforce by 716 positions, aiming to enhance business efficiency. Additionally, the company tested a new AI assistant feature for Premium users in June 2024, reflecting its ongoing commitment to integrating advanced technologies.

LinkedIn’s mission is to connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful. The platform aims to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce by providing tools and resources for professional networking, job searching, and career development.

LinkedIn envisions a world where every professional has the opportunity to realise their full potential. It seeks to be the premier platform for connecting professionals, fostering a global network of talent, and enabling individuals and organisations to achieve their career and business objectives through innovative digital solutions.

LinkedIn offers a range of services designed to facilitate professional networking and career development. Its core product is the online professional networking platform, where users create detailed profiles to showcase their skills, experiences, and achievements. This platform allows individuals to connect with peers, mentors, and potential employers, and to share and engage with professional content.

Key features include job search and application tools, which enable users to find and apply for job opportunities directly through the site. Companies can create profiles to promote their brand, post job openings, and attract talent. LinkedIn also provides tools for content publishing, allowing users to write and share articles and updates relevant to their industry.

Additionally, LinkedIn offers advertising solutions that help businesses target specific audiences with tailored campaigns. Its analytics and insights tools provide valuable data on user engagement and the effectiveness of content and recruitment strategies.

LinkedIn's premium subscriptions offer enhanced features such as advanced search filters, InMail messaging, and access to detailed insights, aimed at supporting job seekers and businesses in achieving their professional goals.