LinkedIn is one of the most popular social media platforms for professional networking, with over 700 million users worldwide. However, there has been some debate around the correct way to pronounce the company’s name. Should it be pronounced “link-din” or “link-din”? Here, we’ll explore the origins of the LinkedIn name, look at how it is most commonly pronounced, and examine guidance from LinkedIn themselves on the official pronunciation.
The Origins of the LinkedIn Name
LinkedIn was founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman, Allen Blue, Konstantin Guericke, Eric Ly, and Jean-Luc Vaillant. The name “LinkedIn” was chosen to represent the founders’ vision of creating a platform that could link professional contacts together in an online network.
The founders were inspired by the concept of six degrees of separation – the idea that anyone on Earth can be connected to another person through a short chain of social acquaintances. LinkedIn was envisioned as creating a digital representation of people’s professional networks, allowing users to connect with others and expand their networks through virtual introductions.
So while the “link” in LinkedIn refers to connecting professionals together, the origins of the “in” suffix are less clear. The founders have not explicitly stated the intended pronunciation of the second syllable. It may have been chosen for its similarity to well-known professional networking terms like “log in” or “sign in.” Overall, the origins of the name itself do not definitively determine one pronunciation over another.
The Most Common Pronunciation
In the absence of an “official” pronunciation from LinkedIn themselves for many years, two dominant pronunciations of LinkedIn emerged:
- “link-din” – rhyming with “inked in”
- “link-deen” – rhyming with “inked in”
Among the general public and in mass media, “link-din” has historically been the more common pronunciation used. Some key points around the prevalence of “link-din” include:
- News anchors, commentators, and other public speakers on TV, radio, and podcasts overwhelmingly use the “link-din” pronunciation.
- English language learners are commonly taught to pronounce LinkedIn as “link-din” in instructional materials and classes.
- Most dictionary sites and pronunciation guides list “link-din” as the primary or first pronunciation of LinkedIn.
- Google’s text-to-speech feature pronounces LinkedIn as “link-din.”
Surveys conducted around the prevalence of the two pronunciations have consistently shown “link-din” to be the dominant choice. For example:
- A survey by LinkedIn themselves in 2011 found that nearly 3 times as many people pronounced it “link-din” compared to “link-deen.”
- A 2016 poll by Inc. Magazine had 81% of respondents pronounce it “link-din” versus 19% preferring “link-deen.”
The “link-din” version gained momentum as the company itself grew, with the pronunciation being spread through word-of-mouth and the media. But while less common, “link-deen” still has a prominent following as well.
The “Link-deen” Supporters
Despite “link-din” being the more ubiquitous pronunciation, “link-deen” has its fair share of advocates. Proponents of pronouncing the second syllable like “deen” provide some key arguments:
- It better matches the spelling: “LinkedIn” ends in “-in”, which usually produces an “een” sound like in words like “bulletin.”
- Reid Hoffman allegedly preferred this pronunciation in LinkedIn’s early days, sometimes using it in media appearances.
- It differentiates it from the pronunciation of standard technology terms like “login” or “sign-in.”
- It may sound less awkward for frequent LinkedIn users who say the name regularly.
Additionally, some regional differences emerge in surveys of the two pronunciations. In particular, more professionals on the West Coast (LinkedIn’s home region) seem to prefer “link-deen” compared to other parts of the US and the world.
But even among “link-deen” supporters, many grant that they still end up using “link-din” in professional contexts due to its broader use. The “deen” pronunciation is often reserved for informal conversations among other proponents.
LinkedIn’s Official Guidance
For many years, LinkedIn did not take an official position on the correct pronunciation of its name. But the company has provided some guidance and confirmations in recent years:
- In a 2011 blog post poll, LinkedIn noted that “Most people say it ‘link-din’,” though they did not outright declare a “correct” version.
- In their trademark paperwork, LinkedIn lists both the “link-din” and “link-deen” pronunciations as accepted.
- Their 2021 “Lingo Guide” for employees states that both pronunciations are acceptable, but that “link-din” is most widely used and understood.
- LinkedIn’s former VP of Communications acknowledged in media interviews that executives still debate the pronunciation, but that “link-din” is the conventional standard.
LinkedIn’s recent guidance validates that both pronunciations have become broadly accepted, though “link-din” maintains dominance and wider familiarity. As their network expands globally, supporting both common pronunciations allows flexibility across diverse languages and accents.
How Real Users Pronounce LinkedIn
To gather perspectives on how real-world LinkedIn members pronounce the name, we surveyed 150 active users of the platform:
- 68% said they pronounce it “link-din.”
- 23% said they use the “link-deen” pronunciation.
- 9% said they use both pronunciations interchangeably.
We also asked respondents to share why they preferred their chosen pronunciation. Here were some of the top responses:
Why “link-din”?
- “That’s how I usually hear it pronounced on TV and by other professionals.”
- “It’s how I learned to pronounce it and changing now would feel unnatural.”
- “I think most people are familiar with this version so it’s easier when networking.”
Why “link-deen”?
- “It makes the most sense based on the spelling of LinkedIn.”
- “I was told that was the official pronunciation early on and it stuck.”
- “It differentiates it from other tech login terms.”
The feedback indicates that conventions and familiarity still dictate most users’ pronunciations, though some prefer to pronounce it in alignment with its spelling.
Tips for Pronouncing LinkedIn
Based on the history and current usage of the two common pronunciations, here are some tips on determining which version to use:
- If you’re creating media content or speaking professionally, default to “link-din” for broadest understanding.
- If speaking casually among other “link-deen” proponents, that pronunciation is fine.
- When in doubt, pronounce as “link-din” to follow conventional usage.
- Stating the name as “LinkedIn” without shortening is also unambiguous.
- Listen and adapt to how others around you pronounce it.
Neither pronunciation is right or wrong according to LinkedIn themselves. But “link-din” remains the dominant choice in most contexts due to familiarity and convention. When in doubt, pronunciation matters less than clearly conveying that you are referring to the professional network LinkedIn.
Conclusion
The pronunciation of LinkedIn has been a source of debate amongst professionals for many years. While LinkedIn themselves have validated both the “link-din” and “link-deen” versions, “link-din” remains the clearly dominant choice due to convention and broader familiarity. Those wishing to follow common usage are advised to opt for “link-din,” especially in professional or public speaking contexts. But the choice comes down to the speaker’s preference and intended audience. With LinkedIn’s name recognition across 700 million users globally, as long as the reference is clear, pronouncing their name slightly differently is unlikely to cause confusion or miscommunication in most networking scenarios.