LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with over 800 million members. A basic LinkedIn account is free, but LinkedIn also offers several paid subscription options that provide additional features and benefits. Deciding whether to upgrade to a paid LinkedIn subscription is an important consideration for many professionals and job seekers. This article will examine the key differences between LinkedIn’s free and paid memberships and provide an analysis of who may benefit most from a paid LinkedIn subscription.
LinkedIn Free vs Paid Membership Overview
Here is a high-level overview comparing LinkedIn’s free and premium subscription options:
Feature | Free | Premium Career | Premium Business |
---|---|---|---|
Profile views by recruiters | Limited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
InMail messages | None | 25/month | 25/month |
Search filters | Limited | Advanced | Advanced |
Message prioritization | No | Yes | Yes |
Premium profile badges | No | Yes | Yes |
Learning courses | Limited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
As shown in the table, LinkedIn’s paid subscriptions unlock additional messaging capabilities, improved profile visibility, advanced search filters, prioritized inbox, badges to distinguish your profile, and unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning courses.
Messaging and Profile Visibility
Two of the most notable upgrades with LinkedIn Premium are the ability to send direct InMail messages and gain increased profile views.
With a free account, you can only message other members if you are connected to them or if they have messaging enabled for all LinkedIn members. InMail messages let you reach anyone on LinkedIn, even if you are not connected. Each Premium account comes with 25 InMail messages per month.
Premium also boosts your profile’s visibility in search results and removes the caps on how many times recruiters and others can view your profile. This gives your profile an advantage in discovery and visibility.
Search and Message Prioritization
Premium accounts unlock advanced search filters that let you fine-tune your searches by keywords, location, company, job function, skills, and other criteria. You can more precisely find the right connections, jobs, groups, and information.
Your messages also get prioritized in the LinkedIn inbox so important conversations don’t get buried. As a free member, your messages compete with all other incoming messages.
Learning and Other Perks
Unlimited access to over 16,000 courses on LinkedIn Learning comes standard with Premium. LinkedIn Learning provides video courses taught by industry experts on in-demand business, technology, and creative skills. This can help you acquire new skills or brush up on your expertise.
Badges like “Open for Business” and “Career Explorer” can distinguish your profile and signify your interest areas to others. Premium members also gain extra insights such as how recruiters engage with your profile.
Who Gets the Most Value from Premium?
Certain professionals and job seekers stand to gain the most from upgrading to a paid LinkedIn subscription:
Active Job Seekers
For those actively searching for a new job, a Premium subscription can give your search a leg up. The ability to reach recruiters directly with InMail and get your profile seen more often is invaluable during a job search. Advanced filters also help narrow your job search.
Freelancers and Consultants
Freelancers and consultants rely on networking and visibility to generate new business. Premium access allows easier communication to land new clients and highlights your profile. The “Open for Business” badge also signals your availability.
Company Leaders and Executives
Business leaders and executives should maintain a robust LinkedIn presence to showcase thought leadership and connect with peers. Premium helps ensure your profile gets maximum visibility. InMail provides efficient outreach.
Professionals Seeking Promotions
Those hoping for an internal promotion can use Premium to expand their connections and keep their profile on recruiters’ radars. This expands possibilities for advancement.
Recent Graduates
New graduates beginning their careers gain access to features that can help get their profile viewed and build their network. InMail powers networking with professionals at target companies.
Sales Professionals
For sales teams, Premium supports lead generation efforts. InMail gives easy access to prospects and advanced filters help identify the right connections.
Premium Subscription Options
LinkedIn offers two main paid subscription tiers: Premium Career and Premium Business.
Premium Career
Premium Career has all the core benefits of Premium, optimizing your individual brand and job search. It costs $29.99 per month or $239.88 per year.
Key Premium Career features:
– Unlimited profile views
– 25 InMail messages per month
– Advanced profile search filters
– Message prioritization
– Premium profile badges
– Unlimited LinkedIn Learning courses
Premium Business
Premium Business has the same features as Premium Career but adds tools tailored for sales and recruiting. It costs $59.99 per month or $479.88 per year.
Additional Premium Business features:
– Lead and talent finder tools
– Team analytics
– Customized member recommendations
– Premium message templates
– More profile badges focused on business
– Unlimited team Learning seats
Premium Business suits sales, recruiting, and marketing teams who want to maximize LinkedIn for lead generation and talent sourcing.
Free Ways to Get More from LinkedIn
While Premium unlocks some useful capabilities, there are also ways to get more out of LinkedIn without paying. Here are a few tips:
Optimize Your Profile
Take time to build out your profile completely with keywords, skills, experience, education, and media. This helps your profile appear in relevant searches.
Engage with Content and Groups
Commenting on posts, sharing articles, and joining active groups improves your visibility and networking. Groups let you connect with members without already being connected.
Build Your Network Strategically
Send personalized connection requests to leaders at your target companies, alumni from your university, and professionals in your desired field. Aim for quality over quantity connections.
Follow Companies
Following companies you are interested in positions you as an engaged potential employee or partner when networking with their team.
Export Connections
Use the Save to Excel feature to export your 1st-degree connections and their contact info for networking outreach.
The Bottom Line
A LinkedIn Premium subscription certainly offers some helpful advantages, but remains optional. Job seekers, consultants, executives, and sales professionals may find the greatest value in Premium’s capabilities. However, focus first on optimizing your free profile and networking organically. Then consider if Premium’s features would significantly boost your goals. With the right optimization and networking approach, it is possible to cultivate an impactful presence and reach career goals with just a free LinkedIn account.