LinkedIn is one of the most popular professional social networking sites, with over 722 million users worldwide as of November 2022. With the rise of smartphone usage in recent years, many LinkedIn users now access the platform primarily through mobile devices rather than on desktop computers.
But do most LinkedIn users actually use the mobile app and site over the desktop experience? Let’s take a deeper look at the data and trends surrounding LinkedIn mobile usage.
LinkedIn’s Mobile Usage and Growth
According to LinkedIn’s own statistics, mobile usage has accounted for an increasing proportion of their overall traffic and engagement over the past several years:
- In 2014, LinkedIn reported that 41% of unique visiting members engaged via mobile devices.
- By 2016, more than 50% of LinkedIn’s traffic came from mobile platforms.
- In 2019, 62% of LinkedIn sessions were on mobile, compared to 38% on desktop.
This shows a steady upward trend of LinkedIn mobile usage, which aligns with the broader increase in time spent on mobile apps versus mobile web browsers and desktop sites across social media and other platforms.
LinkedIn has focused heavily on improving its mobile user experience to cater to this growing preference for mobile access. Key features they’ve added to boost LinkedIn mobile engagement include:
- Redesigning their iOS and Android apps for faster speeds and simplified navigation.
- Introducing exclusive mobile features like LinkedIn Polls and an improved messaging experience.
- Optimizing their mobile site to load faster and adapt seamlessly on all device sizes.
These efforts appear to be paying off, as mobile continues to dominate LinkedIn’s overall platform usage and engagement.
Country and Demographic Differences
LinkedIn mobile usage rates vary significantly by country and demographic factors like age. Here’s a breakdown of LinkedIn mobile usage statistics by country:
- United States: 68% mobile
- Canada: 70% mobile
- United Kingdom: 66% mobile
- France: 63% mobile
- Germany: 61% mobile
In general, economically advanced nations in North America and Europe with widespread smartphone adoption see the highest LinkedIn mobile usage rates. Developing markets often have more desktop-centric LinkedIn usage.
There are also pronounced differences in mobile usage by age demographic on LinkedIn:
- 18-29 years old: 72% mobile
- 30-49 years old: 68% mobile
- 50+ years old: 57% mobile
Younger LinkedIn members in their 20s and 30s demonstrate the highest mobile usage rates, reflecting broader trends of younger consumers being more likely to own smartphones and spend time on mobile apps. Older members still access LinkedIn more often on desktop.
Surveys of LinkedIn Users
Surveys of LinkedIn users provide further insights into how frequently they access LinkedIn on mobile vs desktop:
- A 2021 survey by SocialPilot found that 92% of LinkedIn users use the mobile app, compared to only 45% who use the desktop site and tools.
- Of those who use both mobile and desktop, 75% said they access LinkedIn content more frequently on mobile.
- Just 8% of respondents said they use the desktop platform more than the mobile app.
This survey indicates that the vast majority of LinkedIn members today use the mobile apps, and most who use both mobile and desktop prefer engaging on mobile. Less than 1 in 10 mainly use LinkedIn on desktop.
Business/Enterprise Usage Compared to Consumers
When segmenting between individual consumers who use LinkedIn for networking and job seeking purposes compared to business professionals who leverage LinkedIn for sales, recruiting, and branding, there are some varying trends in mobile usage behavior.
Among individual members, personal networking and communication activities like connecting with new people, commenting, liking posts, and sending messages tend to dominate mobile app usage.
Business professionals from enterprise companies are more likely to use LinkedIn’s desktop site and tools to manage company pages, post content, analyze page analytics, use recruitment tools, and execute targeted sales outreach. Complex tasks like searching profiles with filters and sending bulk connection requests are generally better suited for desktop interfaces.
However, the lines are blurring. Many business users now take advantage of LinkedIn’s robust mobile apps to accomplish work objectives like sharing content and engaging with prospects while on-the-go. And newer features like the LinkedIn Polls were designed specifically to boost engagement among the mobile-first segment of LinkedIn’s user base.
Conclusion
In summary, the majority of LinkedIn’s 722+ million members today access the platform via mobile. Mobile has become the dominant form of LinkedIn usage across nearly all demographics and geographic markets, aligned with broader mobile adoption trends.
Specific mobile usage rates vary by country and age group, with younger users and economically advanced nations demonstrating the highest mobile usage levels. Surveys consistently show that most LinkedIn members prefer engaging on mobile apps vs. desktop when using both platforms.
Business professionals continue to leverage LinkedIn’s desktop site and tools to accomplish more complex tasks. But the mobile apps enable convenient access for business users on-the-go, and newer mobile features cater specifically to business engagement on mobile.
As mobile devices become even more ubiquitous worldwide, we can expect LinkedIn’s mobile usage rates to climb even higher in the coming years and perhaps one day account for as much as 80-90% of their overall traffic and activity.
Appendix
LinkedIn Mobile vs. Desktop Usage Rates by Country
Country | Mobile Usage | Desktop Usage |
---|---|---|
United States | 68% | 32% |
Canada | 70% | 30% |
United Kingdom | 66% | 34% |
France | 63% | 37% |
Germany | 61% | 39% |
Australia | 65% | 35% |
India | 55% | 45% |
Brazil | 53% | 47% |
Mexico | 49% | 51% |
Indonesia | 47% | 53% |
LinkedIn Mobile Usage by Age Group
Age | Mobile Usage Rate |
---|---|
18-29 years old | 72% |
30-49 years old | 68% |
50+ years old | 57% |
Survey Data on LinkedIn Mobile vs. Desktop Preferences
Survey Question | Response |
---|---|
Use LinkedIn mobile app | 92% yes |
Use LinkedIn desktop site/tools | 45% yes |
Prefer mobile vs. desktop | 75% prefer mobile |
Prefer desktop vs. mobile | 8% prefer desktop |