LinkedIn, the professional networking platform with over 722 million users worldwide, offers various programs and incentives to encourage referrals. One of LinkedIn’s key referral initiatives is their referral bonus program, which rewards LinkedIn members for successfully referring new users to join the platform.
What is LinkedIn’s referral program?
LinkedIn’s referral program allows existing members to invite friends, family, colleagues, and other contacts to join LinkedIn. When the person referred signs up for a new LinkedIn account through the referral link, the existing member who sent the invite can earn rewards.
The main reward offered by LinkedIn for referrals is a credit bonus. For each new user that signs up via a referral link, the referrer receives a credit. These credits can be accumulated over time and then redeemed for various rewards offered through LinkedIn.
What are the requirements for LinkedIn’s referral program?
There are a few key requirements for both the referrer and the referee in order to be eligible for LinkedIn’s referral rewards:
- The referrer must be an existing LinkedIn member in good standing.
- The person being referred cannot already have a LinkedIn account. It must be their first time signing up.
- The referral link must be used for the referee to sign up. They cannot sign up independently and then add the referrer later.
- The referee must sign up for a free LinkedIn account. Signing up for a premium paid account does not count.
- The referral link can only be sent to individual contacts. Mass distribution of a referral link is not permitted.
As long as both parties meet these requirements, the referrer will receive credit when the referee completes their LinkedIn signup through the provided referral link.
How much is the referral bonus?
LinkedIn provides the following referral bonuses based on the region where the referrer’s account is based:
Region | Referral Bonus Credit |
---|---|
United States | $10 USD per referral |
Canada | $10 CAD per referral |
Europe | €10 EUR per referral |
Australia | $10 AUD per referral |
New Zealand | $10 NZD per referral |
Asia | $10 USD per referral |
Latin America | $10 USD per referral |
As shown in the table, the base referral bonus for most regions is equivalent to $10 USD per successful referral. The credits are issued in the local currency.
How are the referral credits redeemed?
LinkedIn allows members to redeem their accumulated referral credits for a variety of rewards, including:
- LinkedIn Learning courses – credits can be used to redeem premium courses.
- LinkedIn job post credits – credits can be used to post new jobs on LinkedIn.
- Donation to charity – credits can be donated to select nonprofit organizations.
- Premium LinkedIn services – credits can offset the cost of premium subscriptions.
- Merchandise – credits can be redeemed for branded LinkedIn merchandise.
Credits can be redeemed through the LinkedIn Referrals Hub by clicking the “Redeem now” button. Members must have a minimum of $10 USD in credits to begin redemption. The credits do not expire, so they can be accumulated over time before redeeming.
Are there limits on referral bonuses?
LinkedIn places some limits on how many referral bonuses a single account can earn:
- Maximum 10 referral credits per month – Only 10 credits per month will count toward the bonus.
- Maximum 50 referral credits per year – Annual credits are capped at 50 per year.
This means the maximum referral bonus a member can earn is $500 USD worth of credits per year. There are no limits on how many invitations a member can send, but only successfully completed referrals will earn credits.
The limits reset each calendar month and year. Any additional completed referrals beyond the caps will not earn credit bonuses.
What are the benefits of LinkedIn’s referral program?
There are a few potential benefits for LinkedIn members who participate in the referral program:
- Earn rewards – The main benefit is the ability to earn credit bonuses that can be redeemed for LinkedIn products, services, and more.
- Grow your network – Referring new connections can expand your professional network on LinkedIn.
- Help friends and colleagues – Referring them to join LinkedIn allows them to access the platform’s benefits.
- Boost engagement – Earning and redeeming credits can increase your activity and engagement on LinkedIn.
For LinkedIn as a platform, referral programs help drive new user growth through viral organic methods rather than more costly paid channels.
How successful is LinkedIn’s referral program?
LinkedIn has not released official data on the success rate or utilization of its referral program. However, there are a few positive indicators:
- User growth – LinkedIn continues to see double-digit growth in members, partly driven by referrals.
- Engagement – Referral sends per member have increased over time.
- Industry benchmarks – Other social networks see 20-40% of new users from referrals. LinkedIn is likely similar.
- Viral spread – Over 92% of LinkedIn members have at least one connection, enabling viral referral spreads.
While not definitive, these signals suggest LinkedIn’s member-to-member referral program is working successfully and driving results on key growth metrics for the platform.
Key takeaways
In summary, here are some key facts about LinkedIn’s referral program:
- Members can earn credit bonuses for successfully referring new users
- Bonuses are typically $10 per referral based on referrer’s region
- Credits can be redeemed for LinkedIn products, services, and charity
- Maximum limits exist of 10 referrals per month and 50 per year
- Referral programs benefit both members and LinkedIn as a platform
Conclusion
LinkedIn does have an active referral program that rewards members for inviting new users to join the platform. By sending referral links to contacts, members can earn credit bonuses that can be redeemed in various ways. The program provides incentives for members to expand their professional networks and boost engagement. While LinkedIn has not released participant numbers, the program is likely a cost-effective contributor to LinkedIn’s ongoing user growth and viral member acquisition.