LinkedIn is a popular professional networking platform that allows users to connect with other professionals, find jobs, publish content, and more. With over 800 million members worldwide, LinkedIn is one of the largest social media sites focused on career and business opportunities.
One of the most common questions about LinkedIn is whether the platform is free to use on iPhone devices. The short answer is yes, LinkedIn offers a free basic account option for iPhone users that provides access to core networking features.
What features are included in LinkedIn’s free iPhone app?
LinkedIn’s free iPhone app allows users to:
- Create a profile with work experience, education, skills, and other details
- Connect with other professionals in your network
- Search and apply for jobs
- Join industry groups and follow companies
- View other users’ profiles and posts
- Like and comment on posts
- Receive notifications when you have new messages or interactions
Essentially, the free iPhone app gives you access to LinkedIn’s core social networking and job hunting features. You can build out your professional profile, connect with colleagues and peers, search for opportunities, and engage with relevant content.
What features require a paid LinkedIn subscription on iPhone?
While the basics are free, LinkedIn does offer premium subscriptions that unlock additional features and benefits. Here are some of the key features that do require a paid membership on iPhone:
- InMail messages – Send direct emails to anyone on LinkedIn, even if you’re not connected
- Profile badges – Display badges like “Open for Opportunities” on your profile
- Learning courses – Access LinkedIn’s comprehensive video learning courses
- Salary insights – View salary ranges for different jobs and locations
- Profile highlights – Showcase endorsements, credentials, and publications
- Contact filters – Organize your connections with filters and labels
- Job insights – See how you match up against job postings
- Premium search filters – Advanced filters for search like location and date posted
LinkedIn offers premium subscriptions at several price points for individual users, ranging from around $30 to $80 per month. The higher-tier plans include features like 20-30 InMail messages per month, unlimited profile searches, expanded news and article recommendations, and more.
Does a free account on iPhone limit your LinkedIn experience?
While you won’t get access to all of LinkedIn’s bells and whistles, a free account still allows you to take advantage of the platform in many impactful ways. Here are some of the key things you can still do with a free iPhone account:
- Fully build out your professional profile – Flesh out work history, education, skills, volunteering, honors, interests, and media
- Connect with all your professional contacts – Grow your network by linking up with colleagues
- Follow companies and influencers – Stay on top of industry news and thought leaders
- Join relevant industry groups – Connect with professionals in your field
- Search and apply for jobs – Unlock new career opportunities
- Engage with content and post updates – Share articles and add to discussions
- Message connections – Communicate 1:1 with your network
While you miss out on a few features, the core LinkedIn experience is still readily accessible with a free account on iPhone. You can build an impactful presence, nurture your professional network, and further your career goals.
What are the differences between LinkedIn’s free and premium plans?
Here is a comparison of some of the key differences between LinkedIn’s free account option and their premium plans:
Feature | Free Account | Premium Plans |
---|---|---|
Profile Badges | X | ✓ |
InMail Messages | X | Up to 30/month |
Profile Highlights | X | ✓ |
Learning Courses | X | ✓ |
Contact Filters | X | ✓ |
Job Insights | X | ✓ |
Premium Search | X | ✓ |
As you can see, the premium plans unlock things like expanded messaging capabilities, profile enhancements, insightful analytics, and more powerful search filters. But the core networking platform remains intact for free users.
What are a few tips for using LinkedIn effectively on iPhone?
Here are some top tips for leveraging LinkedIn to its fullest from your iPhone:
Fill out your profile completely
Don’t leave any sections blank – the more comprehensive your profile, the better. Include all work experiences, education, skills, projects, and interests.
Optimize profile with media
Add photos, videos, presentations, and documents to illustrate your experiences visually.
Engage regularly
Comment on posts, share articles, join discussions – being active boosts your visibility.
Follow influencers/companies
Tailor your feed with content relevant to your industry and interests.
Message connections
Don’t be afraid to reach out and strengthen relationships.
Use mobile alerts
Enable notifications so you never miss important messages, updates, or interactions.
Download content for offline
Save articles, videos, and other media to access even without an internet connection.
Utilize the job board
Set up job alerts and apply for opportunities directly through the app.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn offers a robust free account option for iPhone users, providing access to core networking and career-building features. While premium subscriptions unlock additional capabilities, you can still leverage LinkedIn in meaningful ways with a free account. Focus on filling out your profile, engaging regularly, connecting with your network, and taking advantage of features like groups, content sharing, and the job board.
With a thoughtful approach, the free iPhone app enables you to tap into the vast opportunities of the LinkedIn platform. You can establish an impactful professional presence, nurture relationships, stay up-to-date on industry trends, and explore new career paths. So don’t feel like you need a paid account to start benefitting from LinkedIn today.