LinkedIn Learning, previously known as Lynda.com, is an e-learning platform that offers video courses taught by industry experts across a wide range of subjects. As one of the largest online learning platforms, LinkedIn Learning has a significant global user base. However, the exact number of LinkedIn Learning users is not publicly disclosed by the company.
In this article, we will estimate the number of LinkedIn Learning users based on available data points and industry research. We will also look at LinkedIn Learning’s growth trends and discuss the platform’s popularity and usage within the context of the online education industry.
LinkedIn Learning User Base Estimate
While LinkedIn does not reveal the number of LinkedIn Learning users, we can make an educated guess based on the following information:
- Total number of LinkedIn members – As of October 2022, LinkedIn has over 875 million members worldwide across 200 countries.
- Percentage of LinkedIn members that use LinkedIn Learning – According to LinkedIn’s 2022 Workplace Learning Report, 27% of LinkedIn members use LinkedIn Learning.
- Number of LinkedIn Learning courses – LinkedIn Learning currently offers over 16,000 expert-led courses.
- Number of LinkedIn Learning instructors – LinkedIn Learning has over 1,200 instructors creating courses.
Based on 27% of LinkedIn’s 875 million members using LinkedIn Learning, we can estimate there are around 237 million LinkedIn Learning users globally as of 2022.
LinkedIn Learning User Growth
In addition to current user base estimates, we can look at LinkedIn Learning’s growth trends over the past few years to understand its rising popularity:
- In 2019, LinkedIn Learning had 14 million learners.
- In 2020, total users grew to 15 million.
- In 2021, LinkedIn Learning gained 10 million new learners.
This shows that LinkedIn Learning has experienced rapid growth, more than doubling its user base from 15 million to 25 million between 2020 and 2021. With continued growth momentum, it has likely surpassed 237 million users as of 2022.
Year-Over-Year Growth Rate
| Year | LinkedIn Learning Users | Year-Over-Year Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 14 million | – |
| 2020 | 15 million | 7% |
| 2021 | 25 million | 67% |
As shown in the table above, LinkedIn Learning achieved a remarkable 67% year-over-year growth in learners in 2021 compared to 2020. This accelerated growth can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a surge in demand for online learning across the globe.
LinkedIn Learning User Demographics
In addition to looking at the overall number of users, it is also useful to examine key LinkedIn Learning user demographics and characteristics, such as:
- Age: The majority (67%) of LinkedIn Learning users are millennials and Gen Z under the age of 40. 21% of users are aged 40-51, and only 12% are over 51.
- Gender: 54% of LinkedIn Learning users are male, while 46% are female.
- Employment: Most (94%) LinkedIn Learning users are employed full-time or self-employed. 61% work at companies with 100-5000 employees.
- Job function: The top job roles are software development, sales, marketing, management, design, and business administration.
- Motivation: 65% use LinkedIn Learning for professional development to advance their careers. 55% aim to gain skills for a career change.
This profile data provides valuable insights into who is using LinkedIn Learning and why. The platform caters heavily to younger employed professionals looking to build new skills and progress in their careers.
LinkedIn Learning Usage Metrics
In addition to looking at overall user numbers, we can gauge engagement by examining usage metrics such as:
- Number of hours watched: Learners watched over 305 million hours of video lessons on LinkedIn Learning in 2021.
- Average hours per learner: On average, each learner watched 22 hours of content in 2021.
- Average videos watched: Typical learners watch between 5-10 video courses per month.
- Course completion rate: The average course completion rate is 50%.
These metrics indicate that while LinkedIn Learning has a large user base, there is still room to improve engagement and lesson completion rates across the platform.
LinkedIn Learning Usage Metrics
| Metric | 2021 Total |
|---|---|
| Hours watched | 305 million |
| Average hours per learner | 22 |
| Average videos watched per month | 5-10 |
| Course completion rate | 50% |
How LinkedIn Learning Compares to Other MOOCs
To benchmark LinkedIn Learning’s scale and usage, we can compare it against some of the top global Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) platforms:
- Coursera – 102 million registered users, 5.6 million monthly active users
- edX – 110 million total enrollments, 40 million active learners
- Udemy – 100 million students, 57,000 instructors
- FutureLearn – 18 million learners
Based on these comparisons, LinkedIn Learning appears to be one of the largest MOOC platforms in the world, likely second only to Coursera in terms of total user base size.
LinkedIn Learning’s average hours watched per learner also seems to exceed metrics from other MOOC platforms. According to Class Central, the average completion rate for most major online course providers is around 15%, much lower than LinkedIn Learning’s 50% course completion rate.
The professional profile of LinkedIn Learning’s users, integration with LinkedIn’s ecosystem, and focus on career and technical skills differentiate it from other MOOC platforms that cater to a broader mix of learners.
MOOC Platform User Comparison
| Platform | Total Users |
|---|---|
| Coursera | 102 million |
| edX | 40 million |
| Udemy | 100 million |
| FutureLearn | 18 million |
| LinkedIn Learning | 237 million (estimated) |
Growth Drivers for LinkedIn Learning
What factors are contributing to LinkedIn Learning’s rapid user growth and popularity? Some key drivers include:
Integration with LinkedIn
Seamless integration with LinkedIn’s professional social network and 750+ million members provides LinkedIn Learning access to a huge target audience.
Quality Content
High-quality courses taught by credible experts and industry leaders help attract learners looking to build in-demand skills.
Personalization
Features like personalized course recommendations increase the platform’s ability to serve each learner’s unique needs and interests.
Affordability
LinkedIn Learning is priced competitively compared to other paid online learning platforms, making it accessible to a wide range of professionals.
COVID-19 Pandemic
The shift to remote work and e-learning during the pandemic significantly boosted demand for platforms like LinkedIn Learning.
Targeting Career-Minded Learners
LinkedIn Learning’s laser focus on professional skills and career development appeals strongly to its target demographic of ambitious working professionals.
The Future of LinkedIn Learning
Looking ahead, here are some predictions for LinkedIn Learning’s continued growth and evolution:
- User base could potentially double or triple over the next 3-5 years to 500 million+ learners
- Increased usage of data analytics to provide personalized recommendations
- More enterprise and corporate partnerships for internal employee training
- International expansion to support language localization and regional content
- Additional interactive learning formats like coding environments, VR, and live classes
- Deeper embedded integration within LinkedIn platform and Microsoft products
Conclusion
Although the exact number is uncertain, we can reasonably estimate that LinkedIn Learning currently has around 237 million users worldwide based on LinkedIn’s member data and LinkedIn Learning usage survey results.
LinkedIn Learning has achieved rapid growth in recent years, doubling its user base since 2020. Its growth has accelerated due to the pandemic, integration with LinkedIn, quality courses, personalization, and affordability.
Benchmarked against other top MOOC platforms, LinkedIn Learning has one of the largest user bases. It also boasts high engagement metrics like hours watched and course completion rates.
Going forward, LinkedIn Learning is poised for continued expansion globally. It is prioritizing personalization, content localization, new formats, and deeper integration across Microsoft’s ecosystem. With its focus squarely on professional development, LinkedIn Learning has tapped into the fast-growing market of online education for career advancement.
