LinkedIn Learning, formerly known as Lynda, is an online learning platform that offers a variety of courses on topics like business, technology, design, and more. With a LinkedIn Learning subscription, users get unlimited access to thousands of expert-led courses. However, a common question is whether or not a LinkedIn Learning account can be shared between multiple people. The short answer is yes, to an extent, LinkedIn Learning accounts can be shared but there are some limitations.
Does LinkedIn Learning allow account sharing?
LinkedIn Learning does allow for limited account sharing. Each individual subscription allows up to 50 users per account. This means one main account holder can share their login credentials with up to 49 other people. Those 49 additional users will then also have unlimited access to all the courses and content available through that subscription.
So in short, yes LinkedIn Learning does permit multiple people to use the same account. However, it’s not designed for mass sharing with hundreds or thousands of people – there’s a 50 user limit per subscription.
How does sharing a LinkedIn Learning account work?
Sharing a LinkedIn Learning account with others is relatively straightforward. As the main account holder, you simply share your login email and password with up to 49 individuals. You can share these credentials through whatever secure method you prefer – email, messaging, etc.
Once someone has your login info, they can access LinkedIn Learning on the website or mobile app and view all the same content that you can. Courses, videos, practice exercises – everything is available to other users under the same account subscription.
One thing to note is that LinkedIn Learning tracks individual watch history and progress. So if multiple people use the same credentials, their activity will be recorded together under one account rather than separately.
What are the pros of sharing a LinkedIn Learning account?
There are a few potential benefits to sharing access to a LinkedIn Learning account:
Cost savings
The most obvious advantage is the cost savings. Rather than every user needing to purchase their own individual subscription, one main subscription can cover multiple people. For teams, departments, or organizations with training needs, this can mean significant savings compared to every single person paying for their own account.
More flexibility in learning
With shared credentials, people can access courses and videos on a wider variety of devices. Whether via desktop, laptop, tablet, phone, or TV – shared login info allows more flexible learning across more platforms, rather than being restricted to just 1 or 2 devices.
Centralized learning program
Having a shared LinkedIn Learning account also allows for more centralized administration of training initiatives. Groups like teams or departments can have a single go-to place for assigning and tracking courses completed.
What are the cons of sharing a LinkedIn Learning account?
However, there are also a few downsides or caveats to consider with sharing a LinkedIn Learning account:
Activity monitoring
As mentioned above, LinkedIn Learning tracks progress and activity under the account rather than at an individual level. This can make monitoring utilization and progress more difficult across a group.
No personalization
Recommendations and suggested courses are based on group rather than individual viewing history. This takes away some of the personalization and makes it less tailored to each user.
Security risks
Anytime login credentials are shared, there are inherent security risks. While it’s convenient, users have to weigh the risk of the password being leaked or used without permission.
Best practices for sharing
If you do decide to share access to a LinkedIn Learning account, here are some best practices to follow:
Set user limits
Keep the number of users limited to stay under LinkedIn’s 50 person sharing limit. Also set guidelines for who specifically should have access to avoid oversharing.
Use secure sharing methods
Only share login credentials through secure channels like password-protected documents or encrypted messaging apps. Avoid sharing the password in plain text emails or other open communications.
Rotate passwords periodically
To boost security, set calendar reminders to periodically change the shared password. This prevents old credentials from being a lingering risk if they fall into the wrong hands.
Track utilization
To compensate for the lack of individual tracking, set up a simple spreadsheet or database to monitor course assignments and completion by each user.
Clearly outline policies
Define appropriate usage policies and procedures for shared credentials. Set ground rules for how accounts can be used to prevent misuse.
Is account sharing allowed under LinkedIn’s terms?
Reviewing LinkedIn Learning’s terms of service, there are a few relevant sections when it comes to account sharing:
– Accounts are intended for use “only by the designated user of that account.”
– Users are not allowed to “share or transfer” access to an account or “sublicense access” to others.
– LinkedIn reserves the right to terminate accounts or access “if you share or transfer User IDs or passwords.”
So officially,LinkedIn considers credential sharing to be a violation of their terms and conditions. In practice, however, limited sharing seems to be tolerated currently, especially for corporate or group plans. But there is some risk of account termination if credentials are shared too widely.
What are the risks of violating the terms?
If LinkedIn Learning detects significant credential sharing that violates their policies, there are a few potential consequences:
– Account termination – The most likely outcome is having the account shut down, blocking access for anyone using the shared credentials.
– Loss of content – Any courses, videos, certificates, and other progress logged under the account could be forfeited if the account is closed.
– Legal action – In more extreme cases, LinkedIn could pursue legal action for terms of service violations related to illegal account sharing.
– Payment liability – The registered account holder could be held responsible for reimbursement or additional fees if unauthorized users under a shared credential are detected.
So users should carefully weigh the risks and potential downsides if considering sharing an account in violation of LinkedIn’s terms. While the convenience might be tempting, losing access entirely is a real possibility to be aware of.
Alternatives to account sharing
If you want to avoid the hassle and risks of sharing credentials against LinkedIn Learning’s terms, here are a few alternative options:
Team/group plans
LinkedIn Learning offers discounted plans for teams and enterprises, which allow centralized management and tracking of seats under one account. This gives many of the benefits of sharing without breaking the rules.
Content licensing
You can also license LinkedIn Learning content through the API to integrate it into your own Learning Management System. This allows hosting courses on your company’s intranet without sharing logins.
Public libraries
Many public libraries provide residents with free access to LinkedIn Learning. Community members can use library credentials to access the platform legally.
Course downloads
Certain courses allow files or videos to be downloaded for offline use. These can be shared with individuals without providing account credentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my LinkedIn Learning login with colleagues?
You can, but with limitations. LinkedIn Learning permits sharing an account with up to 49 other colleagues or team members. However, this is technically against their terms of service.
What is LinkedIn’s policy on sharing accounts?
LinkedIn’s terms strictly prohibit directly sharing login credentials or account access with other individuals. But limited sharing seems to be unofficially tolerated currently in practice.
What happens if LinkedIn finds out I’m sharing my account?
If LinkedIn detects you are sharing an account with too many people, the most likely consequence is termination of the account. You also risk losing access to any courses completed and content saved under the shared account.
Can I share my work LinkedIn Learning access?
You should not share access provided by an employer as this likely violates their terms for paid business accounts. Use your work credentials only for your own job-related learning.
Is it OK to share my LinkedIn Learning if I pay for it myself?
Even for paid personal accounts, sharing login access is still technically against LinkedIn’s terms of service. Proceed with caution and minimize sharing to avoid potential repercussions.
Conclusion
In summary, it is possible to share access to LinkedIn Learning accounts within the platform’s sharing limits. However, directly sharing credentials with a large number of colleagues violates LinkedIn’s terms and risks account termination if discovered. Users should carefully weigh the pros and cons, and consider alternative options if wanting to provide broader learning access without breaking rules or terms of service. If sharing is pursued, take precautions like using secure channels, setting user limits, and monitoring activity. Overall, limited sharing can provide some benefits like group discounts but should be approached thoughtfully to avoid potential downsides.