LinkedIn Learning, previously known as Lynda.com, is an online learning platform that offers video courses taught by industry experts on a wide range of professional topics. In 2015, LinkedIn acquired Lynda.com for $1.5 billion and eventually rebranded it as LinkedIn Learning in 2019.
LinkedIn Learning provides online video courses in business, technology, design, and creative skills. With a subscription, users can access over 16,000 courses across a broad range of topics. Instructors include working professionals and industry experts who aim to provide practical, real-world skills.
Lynda.com was founded in 1995 by Lynda Weinman as one of the first online learning platforms. For over two decades, it established itself as a leading source for online video instruction on software, creative, and business skills. By acquiring Lynda.com in 2015, LinkedIn gained a robust library of professional development courses to integrate into its professional networking platform.
The Acquisition of Lynda.com by LinkedIn
In 2015, LinkedIn purchased Lynda.com for $1.5 billion, one of LinkedIn’s largest acquisitions at that time. LinkedIn was attracted by Lynda’s versatile catalog of video courses led by industry experts. The acquisition aligned with LinkedIn’s goals of becoming a daily resource for professional development.
For Lynda.com, being acquired by LinkedIn provided more resources to expand its course offerings and reach a much larger audience through LinkedIn’s membership base. At the time, Lynda.com had over 3,000 courses and served over 2 million subscribers.
With this acquisition, LinkedIn gained a robust library of professional development courses and the ability to integrate Lynda’s video content within the LinkedIn platform. LinkedIn members gained easy access to the instructional videos to supplement their professional networking and profile building.
Benefits of the Acquisition
- LinkedIn gained Lynda.com’s library of over 3,000 expert-led video courses
- Lynda.com gained access to LinkedIn’s 433+ million members
- LinkedIn members gained on-demand access to instructional videos
- Opportunity for both companies to expand their content offerings
The Rebranding from Lynda.com to LinkedIn Learning
In 2019, four years after acquiring Lynda.com, LinkedIn officially rebranded the platform as LinkedIn Learning. The updated name and look helped better integrate the video learning platform within the LinkedIn ecosystem.
For LinkedIn members, LinkedIn Learning aimed to be a seamless part of their professional development experience alongside networking opportunities, job searching, and staying updated with news and insights. The rebranding emphasized the goal of LinkedIn Learning to help professions gain the skills they need to achieve their career aspirations.
Key Aspects of the Rebrand
- Name change from Lynda.com to LinkedIn Learning
- New LinkedIn Learning logo introduced
- LinkedIn Learning video player updated within the LinkedIn platform
- Emphasis on helping professionals gain skills to reach career goals
While the name changed, the high-quality instructional videos and expert-led courses remained the same. LinkedIn Learning continued building on Lynda.com’s foundation while integrating the video learning platform into the comprehensive LinkedIn professional experience.
LinkedIn Learning Today
Today, LinkedIn Learning operates as a subsidiary of LinkedIn and retains full access to content from Lynda.com. Here is an overview of LinkedIn Learning in its current form:
Course Catalog
LinkedIn Learning offers over 16,000 courses across business, creative, and technology topics. Popular course categories include:
Business | Graphic Design |
Software Development | Marketing |
IT Administration | Photography |
New courses are continually added across professional fields. Courses range from introductions for beginners to advanced graduate level topics.
Instructors
Courses are taught by industry experts and practicing professionals, not academic teachers. Instructors are working experts able to provide real-world perspectives and workflows using the tools and skills being taught.
Learning Formats
Courses include pre-recorded video lessons supported by practice files and assessments. Select courses offer live online sessions with instructors. Typical video runtimes are between 2-25 minutes for modular learning.
Accessibility
Users can access LinkedIn Learning through the LinkedIn website or mobile apps. Downloadable mobile apps are also available for offline viewing. Courses can be streamed to TV using Airplay or Chromecast.
Pricing
LinkedIn Learning offers individual and company pricing options. Individual subscriptions are $19.99/month or $179.88/year paid annually. Enterprise access is also available for companies seeking to provide LinkedIn Learning to their teams or customers.
Conclusion
LinkedIn Learning, formerly Lynda.com, offers a vast catalog of professional development courses across a diverse range of topics for individual learners and businesses. By acquiring Lynda in 2015, LinkedIn gained a powerful library of instructional videos to incorporate into its platform. The 2019 rebranding as LinkedIn Learning further unified the video learning service into the LinkedIn ecosystem.
Today, LinkedIn Learning continues to provide expert-led courses for professionals looking to gain new skills and advance their careers. With its combination of quality educational content and availability through LinkedIn, LinkedIn Learning is positioned to be a go-to resource for professional online learning integrated into daily work routines.
LinkedIn Learning aims to help professionals at all levels stay competitive by gaining new skills across business, creative, and technical topics. With over 16,000 courses, practical instruction from working experts, and easy accessibility through LinkedIn, LinkedIn Learning offers a valuable on-demand learning solution for individual and enterprise users.
While the branding may have changed from Lynda.com to LinkedIn Learning, the platform’s core mission remains the same – helping professionals gain the skills they need to reach their career goals through expert-led online video courses. The LinkedIn integration provides additional visibility and accessibility to users looking to develop relevant, real-world skills that translate to workplace success.