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What is LinkedIn?

If you’re asking the question “what is LinkedIn?”, we’re here to explain how exactly the platform works and can help you in your career.

Custom image for What is Linkedin guide with a silhouette shrugging over a Linkedin page

It’s the question that plenty of modern professionals have found themselves asking at one point or another: what is Linkedin? In this guide, we’ve got everything you need to know about the social networking platform that doubles as a hiring site and learning hub, so you can decide whether it’s worth signing up or not.

For more tech assistance, check out our guides for what is Zoom, what is Slack, what is Trello, what is Apple Arcade, and what is Spotify. Or, if you’re looking for some tunes to jam out to while you figure out what LinkedIn is, see our YouTube Music download, Spotify download, and Apple Music download guides.

What is LinkedIn?

You can think of LinkedIn as Facebook but for work. Here, you can apply for new jobs, search for potential applicants, or just share updates related to your career and progression. Whether you make an individual profile or one for your business is up to you, but a lot of recruiters use the platform to headhunt, so it’s best to keep your information up to date. There are more than half a million members, so you need to do what it takes to stand out from the crowd.

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What is a LinkedIn profile?

A LinkedIn profile is the platform’s equivalent of a Facebook or Instagram profile. This is where all your details go, and as it’s a career-orientated platform, you can upload all of your work experience and qualifications. If you’re looking to use LinkedIn to apply for a new job, it’s best to keep your profile up to date, as you never know who’s looking.

What is LinkedIn Learning?

LinkedIn Learning is a platform that covers everything from the basics of graphic design to complicated financial concepts, with plenty of other topics in between. A lot of organizations use LinkedIn Learning to train staff, but it requires a LinkedIn account to use, so if your workplace is implementing mandatory training, you’ll need to create an account to complete it.

Screenshot of promo materials for LinkedIn Learning for What is Linkedin guide

How much is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is a free service, though there’s a premium option if you want to get everything out of the platform. LinkedIn Premium offers plenty, such as free access to LinkedIn Learning, the ability to see who has viewed your profile, as well as applicant insight reports, which can let you know if a job you’re suitable for has become available.

LinkedIn service Price
LinkedIn Premium Career From $29.99/£24.98 monthly or $239/£299.76 yearly
LinkedIn Premium Business From $59.99/£39.99 monthly or $575.88/£479.88 yearly
LinkedIn Sales Navigator From $79.99/£69.99 monthly or $959.88/£839.88 yearly
LinkedIn Recruiter Lite From $180/£109 monthly or $1,480/£1,380 yearly

What is LinkedIn Premium?

As we mentioned in the last section, LinkedIn Premium is, as the name suggests, a paid-for option to get more out of your account. The biggest perk of going premium is that you can always see who has viewed your account, which is helpful for both prospective employees and hiring companies. You also get unlimited searches, access to Linkedin Learning, and other perks.

What is LinkedIn Sales Navigator?

LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a tool used by businesses to find more customers on the LinkedIn platform to help boost sales. Not only can the tool target businesses that are likely to be looking for custom, but it also helps you to engage with those potential customers, even if they aren’t currently in your network. Widely seen as the best sales tool for professionals, countless companies worldwide use LinkedIn Sales Navigator to keep business booming.

What is LinkedIn InMail?

InMail is LinkedIn’s messaging system that allows you to contact those outside of your direct network. It’s a LinkedIn Premium feature, so you have to pay for it, but it might be worth it if you’re looking to hire or be hired, especially if you’re in a particularly competitive industry.

Screenshot of promotional material for Linkedin Inmail for What is Linkedin guide

What is LinkedIn search?

If you’ve got a notification saying someone searched for you on LinkedIn, you’re probably wondering who. LinkedIn has a search function that allows you to find new connections by name, business, specialization, or whatever else you’re looking for. You can see who has searched for you if you’ve got a premium account, so if you’re wondering if someone is trying to check out your profile, it might be worth the subscription price.

What is LinkedIn Easy Apply?

The LinkedIn Easy Apply feature does exactly what it says on the tin. If you see a job listing with Easy Apply, you don’t have to leave the page to send in an application. Just hit the button, attach your email address, phone number, and CV, and wait to hear back from the hiring team. It really is that simple.

There you have it, our answer to the question “what is LinkedIn?”. For more tech support, check out our Zoom download, Microsoft Teams download, and Slack download guides.