LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional social networking platform, with over 722 million users worldwide as of 2022. Making connections is a key activity on LinkedIn, allowing users to network, find jobs, connect with business partners, and more. But how connected is the average LinkedIn user? How many connections do most people have in their networks? Let’s take a look at the data and trends surrounding the number of connections for LinkedIn users.
Key LinkedIn User Statistics
Here are some key statistics on LinkedIn users and connections:
- LinkedIn has 722+ million members worldwide (2022)
- New members are joining at a rate of more than 2 members per second
- The average number of connections for all LinkedIn members is 400+
- 10% of members have 500+ connections
- The most connected members can have 10,000+ connections
So while the average is around 400 connections, power networkers on LinkedIn can have networks of thousands of contacts. But the majority of users seem to maintain networks of a few hundred connections.
Connections by User Demographic
The number of connections a LinkedIn user has can vary significantly based on their demographics and how they use the platform. Here’s a look at average connections by user type:
Students
College students and recent graduates just starting their careers have fewer connections, with 100-200 being common. They are using LinkedIn primarily for internships and entry-level jobs. Their networks consist mostly of classmates, professors, and early career connections.
Young Professionals
Early career professionals with 1-10 years of experience often have 200-500 connections. Their networks include colleagues from internships, past jobs, professional associations, and expanded academic networks.
Mid-Career Professionals
People firmly established in their careers with 10-20 years of experience tend to have the most LinkedIn connections, averaging 500-1500. Their networks are wider and include more senior-level professionals in their industries.
Executives
C-suite executives and senior leaders may have 500-2000+ connections. But their networks are targeted and strategic, consisting of other senior leaders, key partners, and industry influencers. Quality matters more than quantity.
Connections by Industry
Connection numbers also vary significantly between professions and industries. Here are some averages:
Industry | Average Connections |
---|---|
Technology | 613 |
Marketing / Advertising | 511 |
Education | 387 |
Healthcare | 402 |
Finance | 522 |
Technology and marketing professionals tend to have above average connections, likely due to the collaborative nature of their work and the importance of networking in those fields. Educators tend to have fewer connections on average.
Connections by Job Function
We can also look at average LinkedIn connections by job function:
Job Function | Average Connections |
---|---|
Sales | 662 |
Marketing | 612 |
Information Technology | 592 |
Engineering | 387 |
Human Resources | 432 |
Finance | 522 |
Sales and marketing roles lead the way with the most connections. Engineers tend to have below average connections, likely because they are less focused on networking. Finance and HR professionals fall somewhere in the middle.
How Location Impacts Connections
Location can also impact connection numbers on LinkedIn:
- Silicon Valley – The tech hub has some of the most connected LinkedIn users, averaging 613 connections.
- Los Angeles – The entertainment capital averages 553 connections per user.
- New York City – The financial and media nexus averages 602 connections.
- International Cities – London (587), Sydney (523), and Toronto (513) have above average connections.
- Smaller Cities – Mid-size metro areas often have fewer LinkedIn connections, around 300-400 on average.
Major hubs of business, technology, and innovation tend to have more connected LinkedIn users compared to smaller cities and regions. Proximity enables more in-person networking.
How LinkedIn Recommendations Impact Connections
One way users can increase their visibility and connections on LinkedIn is by getting recommendations from past managers, colleagues, clients, business partners, etc.
Here are some key stats on how recommendations impact LinkedIn connections:
- Profiles with at least 1 recommendation receive 5X more profile views.
- 78% of hiring managers consider recommendations important when evaluating candidates.
- The more recommendations a user has, the more connections they tend to attract.
- Profiles with 5+ recommendations can have 20% more connections on average.
So quality over quantity matters when it comes to recommendations. Even just a handful of thoughtful recommendations can significantly boost a user’s connections and opportunities.
How Content Sharing Impacts Connections
Active content sharing on LinkedIn can also help users expand their networks. Some key data points:
- Users who publish long-form content via LinkedIn’s publishing platform see a 10% boost in connections on average.
- Posts with multi-media (like images) generate more connections than text-only updates.
- Sharing content published on other sites (rather than natively on LinkedIn) leads to 30% more connections.
- Commenting on other user’s posts and engaging in discussions helps make new connections.
So users who actively create and share content through LinkedIn see their connections grow faster over time compared to more passive users.
Connection Best Practices
While connection numbers vary significantly, most LinkedIn experts recommend quality over quantity when growing your network:
- Connect only with people you know and trust, or those with whom you have overlapping professional interests.
- Personalize connection requests with a note, not generic invites.
- Focus on connecting with decision makers and influencers in your industry.
- Avoid randomly connecting with strangers just to boost numbers.
- Nurture and engage with your connections through content sharing and discussions.
Following best practices allows you to build an engaged, strategic network aligned to your professional goals.
How the Pandemic Impacted Connections
The COVID-19 pandemic that began affecting most parts of the world in 2020 significantly changed how people networked and made connections:
- With in-person events cancelled, online networking boomed. LinkedIn saw record engagement numbers during 2020 and 2021.
- Younger generations accelerated their adoption of online networking. Gen Z’s connections grew 48% year-over-year.
- Industries like tourism, hospitality, and food service saw connections decline without conferences or corporate travel.
- Remote work led employees to build connections across regions and countries.
- Virtual events and video chatting opened new networking opportunities.
While the pandemic interrupted traditional networking channels, it also expanded digital networking globally and across generations. This will likely impact how professionals connect in the long-term.
The Future of LinkedIn Connections
What does the future hold for LinkedIn connections and networking? Some predictions:
- Total users will likely exceed 1 billion in the coming years as global adoption grows.
- Virtual and hybrid networking will become more common, even after the pandemic subsides.
- Youger generations like Gen Z will drive most user growth, expanding their connections rapidly.
- The average number of connections per user may decline slightly as adoption expands globally.
- Platform enhancements like Stories will create new networking channels.
- Competitors will look to challenge LinkedIn’s dominance, possibly disrupting their growth.
While LinkedIn sits firmly atop the professional networking landscape now, changes in user demographics and behavior, as well as competition, will impact connection trends in the future. Maintaining high-quality connections will remain key.
Conclusion
The average number of LinkedIn connections currently sits around 400, but can vary greatly based on user demographics, industries, locations, and networking activity. While some “super-connectors” boast networks in the thousands, most users are better served by focusing on building meaningful connections aligned to their professional aspirations rather than chasing large quantities of connections. Quality over quantity is key when strategically developing one’s LinkedIn network for maximum impact and opportunity.