I’m on LinkedIn daily.
As one of many main networking instruments, it’s my go-to platform for connecting with the best folks, discovering thrilling new job alternatives, and staying within the loop on the newest business traits. It is a useful a part of any severe skilled’s profession toolkit. In actual fact, I landed my present job two years in the past, because of LinkedIn Premium.
However right here’s the query I maintain coming again to: Is LinkedIn Premium actually value it? I first tried it throughout a job hunt with the one-month free trial and lately subscribed once more to construct my private model.
LinkedIn Premium actually guarantees loads – an AI assistant, limitless profile views, superior networking instruments, and unique job insights. It feels like a trump card for job seekers and professionals alike.
However does it ship on these guarantees? Beginning at about $30 per thirty days, it’s truthful to ask – is LinkedIn Premium value it, or is it simply one other expense that provides up?
On this article, I’ll share my private expertise with LinkedIn Premium, together with insights from over 240 G2 evaluations from professionals who’ve examined each free and premium variations.
Word: All evaluations shared beneath are from verified G2 customers. For extra particulars on our course of to confirm reviewers and approve evaluations, please discuss with G2’s overview moderation pointers.
LinkedIn Premium vs. Free: What does LinkedIn Premium supply?
Over one billion folks use LinkedIn at the moment. We use it to showcase our expertise, join with friends, and discover job alternatives. Whereas the free model gives the important instruments for these functions, LinkedIn Premium presents superior options tailor-made to particular skilled wants.
- Premium Profession: Targeted on job seekers and professionals aiming to develop their private model.
- Premium Enterprise: Designed for small companies trying to develop their networks, site visitors, and prospects and entry deeper insights for his or her enterprise web page.
Aside from these, LinkedIn additionally presents two different subscription plans tailor-made for gross sales professionals and recruiters.
- Gross sales Navigator: Constructed for salespeople searching for to generate leads and construct consumer relationships.
- Recruiter Lite: Tailor-made for recruiters and hiring managers to optimize candidate searches.
Check out this detailed comparability of the free model versus Premium plans:
Options |
LinkedIn Free |
Premium Profession |
Premium Enterprise |
Gross sales Navigator* |
Recruiter Lite* |
Who seen your profile |
Restricted to five most up-to-date viewers within the final 90 days. |
All viewers and associated insights up to now 12 months. |
All viewers and associated insights up to now 12 months. |
All viewers and associated insights up to now 12 months. |
All viewers and associated insights up to now 12 months. |
InMail Credit |
None. Can solely message present connections. |
5 InMails credit |
15 InMail credit |
50 InMail credit |
30 InMail credit |
LinkedIn Studying |
Entry solely to free programs |
Limitless entry |
Limitless entry |
Limitless entry |
Limitless entry |
Personal shopping |
No |
Sure |
Sure |
Sure |
Sure |
Applicant and firm insights |
No |
Sure |
Sure |
Sure |
Sure |
AI assistants |
No |
Sure |
Sure |
Sure |
Sure |
Best choice job |
No |
Sure |
Sure |
Not relevant |
Not relevant |
Search |
Restricted choice to seek for and examine profiles of different LinkedIn members |
Superior search filters to seek out the best job postings |
Superior search filters with limitless shopping |
Superior search filters with 50+ attributes |
Superior search filters tailor-made for recruiters |
*Contains particulars on the essential plan of Gross sales Navigator and Recruiter Lite.
Let’s deal with the LinkedIn Premium Profession plan on this article, as they’re probably the most related for job seekers and professionals.
For those who’re trying to generate leads, construct consumer relationships, or streamline candidate searches, you would possibly discover Gross sales Navigator or Recruiter Lite plans higher suited to your wants.
LinkedIn Premium price
Right here’s a breakdown of LinkedIn Premium prices for various plans:
Plan |
Month-to-month plan price |
Annual plan price |
LinkedIn Premium Profession |
$29.99 |
$239.88 ($19.99 per thirty days) |
LinkedIn Premium Enterprise |
$59.99 |
$539.88 ($44.99 per thirty days) |
LinkedIn Gross sales Navigator |
Begins at $99.99 |
Begins at $959.88 |
LinkedIn Recruiter Lite |
Begins at $170 |
Begins at $1680 |
LinkedIn presents a 30-day free trial for its Premium plans. You’ll want to supply fee particulars to activate the trial.
LinkedIn Premium advantages: What G2 customers like
After utilizing LinkedIn Premium extensively and analyzing suggestions from 240+ G2 evaluations, listed below are the important thing options that stand out and their advantages to your skilled profession.
1. InMail for enhanced networking
One in all LinkedIn Premium’s most dear options is InMail messaging. It permits you to join with anybody, even when they’re exterior your community – a major improve from the free model, the place you may solely message present connections. This makes it simpler to attain out to recruiters, business leaders, or potential collaborators.
InMail credit on LinkedIn Premium plan
Throughout my job search, I used InMail strategically to attach with hiring managers and electronic mail recruiters. The outcome? Nearly 3 out of 5 responded to my messages and gave me extra details about function expectations, firm, and development alternatives. This direct line of communication usually gave me an edge over different candidates.
Now, as a advertising and marketing skilled, I proceed to make use of InMail to succeed in out to business consultants, fellow entrepreneurs, and thought leaders in my discipline. These conversations have led to collaborations, knowledgeable insights for my tasks, and even mentorship relationships which have been invaluable for my profession development.
What are G2 customers saying:
“I like the power to ship InMail to recruiters and the truth that recruiters discover you and can join with you at the next fee than with a free model. It is also nice to see who checked out your profile.”
–LinkedIn Premium Evaluate, Diego R.
For those who’re a job seeker, freelancer, or skilled in networking-heavy fields like gross sales and advertising and marketing, InMail is a strong device for networking, lead era, and profession development.
2. Profile insights for higher visibility
Most LinkedIn Premium customers worth the numerous edge it gives over the free model in boosting visibility and affect on the platform by detailed profile insights.
With Premium, you may view an entire listing of who has seen your profile over the previous 90 days, together with insights on how they discovered you.
LinkedIn Premium profile insights
This function was significantly invaluable throughout my job search part. It allowed me to determine firms and hiring managers who confirmed curiosity in my profile, a profit most different job boards don’t supply.
What are G2 customers saying:
“LinkedIn Premium gives nice insights into who has seen my profile. This helps to determine the recognition of my account. Additionally, the Premium search to seek out anybody is superior.”
– LinkedIn Premium Evaluate, Subhendu Kumar S.
Moreover, superior analytics on content material efficiency, engagement, and impressions can assist you refine your LinkedIn content material technique. By understanding viewers engagement, you may tailor your posts to construct a stronger private model and thought management. Personally, I’ve used this function to pinpoint which posts resonate with my viewers and alter my content material for optimum affect.
Content material Analytics on LinkedIn Premium
3. Applicant insights for smarter job purposes
Amongst all of the Premium options, Applicant Insights is a favourite of mine when making use of for positions. With this, for each job posting you have a look at, you get to see:
- In-demand expertise evaluation: See precisely which expertise recruiters are prioritizing, how your profile stacks up, and what you might be lacking. It performs an enormous function in tailoring your profile and resume accordingly.
- Candidate comparability metrics: Perceive the way you evaluate towards different candidates when it comes to expertise, schooling, and ability match.
- Actual-time software information: Observe your place within the applicant queue and the whole variety of purposes.
- Firm perception: Entry detailed details about firm development and hiring traits to make knowledgeable selections.
I used this function extensively whereas making use of for positions because it gave me essential visibility into the place I stood towards different candidates and altered my strategy to job purposes. For instance, once I found I used to be lacking a important ability that high candidates had for a place, I paused to upskill earlier than making use of.
Applicant insights with LinkedIn premium
In one other case, the place I noticed a whole bunch of candidates had already utilized, I used InMail to contact the hiring supervisor instantly for a quicker response.
Applicant insights with LinkedIn premium
These insights show you how to prioritize which roles to pursue and when to take a position additional effort.
What are G2 customers saying:
“The most effective half (of LinkedIn Premium) is earlier than you apply for a job, you may determine the place you stand and what number of candidates utilized for the job. Additionally, you may match your expertise as per job necessities and different candidates.”
– LinkedIn Premium Evaluate, Ankit J.
4. LinkedIn Studying for upskilling
LinkedIn Studying is without doubt one of the favourite options amongst many Premium customers, together with me. The platform has over 22,000 expert-led programs, with new ones added each week. They cowl a variety of matters and expertise throughout industries.
Programs on LinkedIn Studying
The self-paced studying format makes it straightforward to upskill by yourself schedule. You possibly can select particular person programs based mostly in your pursuits or profession objectives and even comply with a structured studying path tailor-made to a selected function – no matter fits your type.
Finishing LinkedIn Studying programs enhances your resume and offers your profile an expert increase when shared immediately together with your community. It’s good for each job seekers trying to strengthen their {qualifications} and professionals aiming to remain forward of their fields.
What are G2 customers saying:
“The most effective factor about LinkedIn Premium for me was studying from an enormous library of programs. It helped me achieve new expertise and enhance those I already had.”
– LinkedIn Premium Evaluate, Mohammed Naieem B.
5. AI assistants for productiveness
A serious benefit that comes with the Premium plans is the generative AI-powered instruments. These good assistants help with nearly every little thing – from drafting outreach messages to fine-tuning your LinkedIn profile and your job purposes. You possibly can even use the AI device to spruce up the profile introduction part.
AI assistant on LinkedIn Premium
I repeatedly use LinkedIn’s AI assistant to draft my posts and personalize InMail messages and connection requests. The little perk? It saves me useful time and nonetheless maintains an expert contact.
What are G2 customers saying:
“I like the truth that I can see the analytics of LinkedIn, and the instruments are very helpful. Having an AI have a look at my profile and counsel modifications can be very helpful.”
– LinkedIn Premium Evaluate, Jordan C.
6. Superior seek for focused connections
The ultimate and most sensible function of the Premium plan most customers recognize is the strong search filters for locating job alternatives, folks, and firms.
In contrast to the essential search obtainable within the free model, Premium’s superior filters allow you to slim down your search with exact standards. Take, for instance, the filters to seek out folks. You possibly can specify connections, places, firms, key phrases, job titles, previous firms, colleges, industries, and providers. You possibly can even discover folks based mostly on who they comply with and hook up with.
Superior search with LinkedIn Premium
For job seekers, this implies pinpointing roles at particular firms and even figuring out key decision-makers to succeed in out to. Professionals targeted on networking, like gross sales and advertising and marketing, discover it significantly helpful for figuring out prospects and warming up chilly outreach.
What are G2 customers saying:
“LinkedIn has helped optimize our search functionality. We’re a vertically aligned gross sales unit, so having the ability to search each firm and individual on vertical alignment eases our search. The superior search allows us to go that degree deeper and discover extra prospects in every account. The premium ingredient unlocks extra profiles and data which we’re ready to make use of to ‘heat’ chilly gross sales approaches and calls.”
– LinkedIn Premium Evaluate, Harry C.
Different LinkedIn Premium options you shouldn’t overlook:
- Limitless folks shopping: View limitless profiles past your community to develop your connections.
- Open profile: Let anybody message you at no cost, even exterior your community, rising your probabilities of significant connections.
- Personal shopping: In contrast to free accounts, which permit restricted personal shopping, Premium allows you to keep fully discreet whereas permitting you to see who seen your profile.
- Interview preparation device: Follow with generally requested interview questions and pattern solutions offered by business professionals.
- LinkedIn Premium badge: Show the gold Premium badge in your profile, signaling to others that you simply’re severe about networking {and professional} development.
LinkedIn Premium cons: What G2 customers dislike
Let’s stability the scales right here – whereas Premium presents many helpful options, there are some legitimate frustrations. Listed below are the commonest ache factors:
1. Pricing
At about $30 a month, LinkedIn Premium subscription is seen as costly by some customers, particularly those that don’t make the most of all of the options repeatedly. Whereas its options can present clear benefits for customers actively job searching, networking, or upskilling, the worth might not justify the worth for rare customers. College students and freshers getting into the job market additionally discover the worth burdensome, given their restricted budgets and early profession priorities.
What are G2 customers saying:
“One disadvantage of LinkedIn Premium could possibly be the price related to the subscription, particularly for people who might not make the most of all of the premium options repeatedly. Moreover, whereas the improved options are helpful, some customers would possibly discover the platform’s interface a bit cluttered or overwhelming in comparison with the essential model.”
– LinkedIn Premium Evaluate, Gie Marie G.
2. Restricted InMail credit
Though InMail messaging is one in every of Premium’s signature options, the month-to-month credit score restrict of 5 InMails for the Premium Profession plan is restrictive for customers who often depend on it for outreach. This is without doubt one of the commonest gripes amongst customers, be they job seekers or professionals.
What are G2 customers saying:
“The variety of in-mail credit offered is way much less given the worth of the LinkedIn premium.”
– LinkedIn Premium Evaluate, Kritarth M.
3. Spammy messages and ads
One other recurring criticism from LinkedIn Premium customers is the presence of ads and spam-like content material of their feeds. Many customers count on a cleaner, extra targeted expertise as Premium members, however the presence of irrelevant updates and promotional materials usually detracts from LinkedIn’s skilled attraction.
What are G2 customers saying:
“I do manner too many hides of spammy materials within the normal replace part. I believe as a premium consumer, it will be higher that we’re not spammed by promoting.”
– LinkedIn Premium Evaluate, Mark D.
4. No assured outcomes
Whereas LinkedIn Premium gives instruments to reinforce visibility and networking, options like InMail and profile insights don’t all the time assure tangible outcomes, akin to job presents or significant connections. This may be irritating for customers who count on the next return on their funding.
It’s essential to acknowledge that these instruments are facilitators, however success finally relies on elements like how you employ them and exterior circumstances, akin to market competitors or recipient engagement.
What are G2 customers saying:
“Even when I do know who seen my profile web page and despatched Inmails, all this does not cease ghosting.”
– LinkedIn Premium Evaluate, Amit C.
Setting real looking expectations is vital to taking advantage of LinkedIn Premium. It’s a platform that opens doorways however doesn’t stroll you thru them.
Prime 5 LinkedIn alternate options:
Listed below are the highest LinkedIn Premium alternate options instructed by G2 customers:
Whereas these aren’t solely targeted on skilled networking, they supply areas for communities and discussions that assist with business insights, model constructing, {and professional} connections in inventive methods.
Incessantly requested questions (FAQs) about LinkedIn Premium plans
Q. Find out how to get LinkedIn Premium at no cost?
LinkedIn presents a 30-day free trial for all its Premium plans, permitting you to discover the options earlier than committing. To activate the trial, you have to present your bank card particulars however be charged if canceled earlier than the trial interval ends. Understand that the free trial can solely be used as soon as each 12 months.
Q. How a lot does LinkedIn Premium price?
The price of LinkedIn Premium varies based mostly on the plan you select. The most cost effective and most fitted plan for professionals and job seekers is the LinkedIn Premium Profession. It prices $29.99 for a month-to-month plan or $239.88 ($19.99 per thirty days) for an annual plan.
Q. Is there a LinkedIn Premium low cost?
LinkedIn doesn’t often supply reductions, however it can save you considerably by choosing an annual subscription, which reduces the month-to-month price by 20–25% in comparison with the month-to-month plan. Sometimes, LinkedIn might run promotional campaigns, so maintain a watch out for these.
Q. How to enroll in LinkedIn Premium?
To join LinkedIn Premium, comply with these steps:
- Log in to your LinkedIn account: Entry your LinkedIn profile utilizing your credentials.
- Navigate to Premium: Click on on the “Strive Premium for Free” button, usually positioned in your LinkedIn homepage or profile. Choose the one which aligns together with your skilled wants.
- Begin a free trial: LinkedIn presents a 30-day free trial for brand new Premium customers. Click on on “Begin my free month” to provoke the trial. Present your credit score or debit card particulars to activate the trial. You will not be charged if you happen to cancel earlier than the trial interval ends.
For those who resolve to not proceed with the subscription, bear in mind to cancel earlier than the trial interval ends to keep away from any fees.
Q. Find out how to cancel LinkedIn Premium?
To cancel LinkedIn Premium:
- Go to Settings & Privateness in your LinkedIn profile.
- Navigate to Subscriptions & Funds.
- Choose Handle Premium Subscription and select Cancel Subscription.
You’ll retain entry to Premium options till the tip of your billing cycle, even after cancellation.
Q. Does LinkedIn Premium take away adverts?
No, LinkedIn Premium doesn’t take away adverts from the platform. Customers, together with Premium subscribers, nonetheless see sponsored content material and ads of their feeds.
Q. Can I change between LinkedIn Premium plans?
Sure, you may change between Premium plans at any time. Go to your Settings & Privateness, choose Subscriptions & Funds, and select the plan you wish to change to. Your billing will alter accordingly.
Q. How does LinkedIn Premium differ from Gross sales Navigator?
LinkedIn Premium and Gross sales Navigator cater to totally different skilled wants: LinkedIn Premium and Gross sales Navigator serve distinct functions:
- LinkedIn Premium aids job seekers, professionals, and networkers with instruments like InMail, Applicant Insights, and LinkedIn Studying.
- Gross sales Navigator helps gross sales professionals with superior lead filters, CRM integration, and prospect monitoring instruments.
The ultimate verdict: Premium or go?
Primarily based on my expertise and insights from G2 evaluations, LinkedIn Premium positively elevates your job search, networking, and private branding efforts. Options like InMail, Applicant Insights, LinkedIn Studying, and superior profile analytics are undeniably useful if you happen to actively have interaction with the platform.
That stated, it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. The subscription price makes it much less interesting for some customers. InMail messaging and profile insights require effort and technique to yield tangible outcomes, which can go away some feeling the return on funding isn’t all the time fast.
For those who’re actively job searching, constructing a powerful skilled model, or aiming to develop your community strategically, Premium generally is a worthwhile funding. However, if you happen to solely use LinkedIn often or don’t want its superior options, the free model is perhaps sufficient to your wants.
Nonetheless undecided? Bear in mind, you may all the time attempt LinkedIn Premium at no cost. In the long run, LinkedIn Premium is a device that works greatest when paired with a transparent technique and constant effort. Weigh the advantages towards your objectives to resolve if it’s the best match for you.
Trying to make use of LinkedIn for what you are promoting? Be taught find out how to create your LinkedIn Enterprise Web page in 4 straightforward steps.