LinkedIn Premium is LinkedIn’s paid subscription service that offers expanded features and benefits beyond the free version of LinkedIn. While LinkedIn Premium provides useful tools for networking, building your professional brand, and getting noticed by recruiters, it is not a lifetime subscription.
What is LinkedIn Premium?
LinkedIn Premium is LinkedIn’s subscription service that gives you access to premium features not available with a free LinkedIn account. With LinkedIn Premium, you get benefits like:
- Seeing who viewed your profile
- Messaging other members without already being connected
- Advanced search filters and preferences
- InMail credits for directly contacting anyone on LinkedIn
- Learning courses and professional coaching
- Salary data and career statistics
LinkedIn Premium comes in three different subscription levels depending on your needs: Premium Career, Premium Business, and Premium Sales. The higher levels provide more features like more InMail credits, expanded search filters, and data insights.
Is LinkedIn Premium a one-time purchase?
No, LinkedIn Premium is not a one-time lifetime purchase. All LinkedIn Premium subscriptions require an ongoing monthly or annual payment to maintain access to the premium features.
There are a few reasons LinkedIn Premium is a recurring subscription rather than a permanent one-time purchase:
- LinkedIn consistently adds new premium features and needs revenue to support product development.
- Recurring payments ensure users continue to get value from the subscription.
- Ongoing costs allow LinkedIn to provide customer support.
- Monthly or annual subscriptions are standard for most premium online services.
While you do get some savings from annual vs. monthly plans, there is no lifetime purchase option for Premium access across any of LinkedIn’s subscription levels.
What happens when you stop paying for LinkedIn Premium?
If you stop making payments for LinkedIn Premium, your account will revert to the free version of LinkedIn. This means you’ll lose access to all of the Premium features and benefits.
Here are some key things that will happen if your LinkedIn Premium subscription lapses due to non-payment:
- You’ll no longer see who viewed your profile.
- You won’t be able to message LinkedIn members you’re not already connected to.
- InMail credits will be removed, so you can no longer directly message non-connections.
- Premium search filters and profile recommendations go away.
- You’ll lose access to Premium Learning courses and professional coaching.
- Expanded salary data and career statistics will be removed.
- Any Premium Badges on your profile will be discontinued.
Essentially, you’ll be back to having just a standard free LinkedIn account until you renew your Premium subscription or purchase a new one.
Does LinkedIn offer any lifetime Premium deals?
LinkedIn does not currently offer any lifetime or permanently free Premium accounts. The Premium subscription was designed as an ongoing service rather than a one-time access purchase.
However, LinkedIn occasionally offers special limited-time promotions that provide extended Premium access for a period of time without ongoing payments. Here are some examples of deals LinkedIn has offered in the past:
- 1 year of free Premium with a new laptop purchase
- 3 or 6 months free for new Premium subscribers
- 1-2 months free from partner promotions
- Free Premium trials for college students
While these special deals do provide Premium access for an extended time without charge, they still have an expiration date. LinkedIn does not provide any offers for lifetime or indefinite Premium access. The maximum free period offered has been 1 year.
Does purchasing premium give you a refund if you cancel?
No, purchasing a LinkedIn Premium subscription does not come with any guaranteed refund if you decide to cancel. Here are the refund policies for LinkedIn Premium plans:
Monthly Subscriptions
Monthly plans are non-refundable once purchased and will remain active until the next billing date at which point you can cancel auto-renewal.
Annual Subscriptions
Annual Premium plans come with a 7 day money back guarantee. You can receive a full refund if you cancel within the first 7 days of your purchase. After 7 days, annual subscriptions become non-refundable.
Premium Purchased Through Apple/Google
Premium subscriptions purchased through the Apple App Store or Google Play follow those platforms’ standard refund policies. You may be able to request a refund within 60 days depending on eligibility.
In summary, LinkedIn does not offer lifetime access to Premium features, but some limited-time special offers may provide extended free access up to 1 year. To maintain continuous access to all Premium benefits, an ongoing monthly or annual subscription is required.
What are some tips for getting the most from LinkedIn Premium?
Here are some tips to maximize the value from a LinkedIn Premium subscription:
- Take advantage of Premium Learning courses to build your skills.
- Use InMail sparingly to contact key professionals and avoid spamming.
- Set up customized Premium search alerts for new job openings or business opportunities.
- Add multimedia to your profile like videos and presentations.
- Review salary data and industry trends to negotiate your salary.
- Schedule meetings and calls through Premium Calendar integrations.
- Engage your network regularly with updates and messaging.
- Use creative Premium backgrounds on your video calls.
What are some alternatives to LinkedIn Premium?
If you’re looking to save money, here are some alternatives to consider instead of paying for LinkedIn Premium:
Free LinkedIn Account
The free version of LinkedIn still offers features like creating a professional profile, networking with other members, posting updates, joining industry groups, and searching jobs. You miss out on extras like seeing profile views, direct messaging, and premium learning content.
General Online Courses
Free or low-cost online learning platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer affordable courses to build your business or technology skills.
Other Professional Networks
Websites like XING and Viadeo operate similar professional networking platforms as lower-cost alternatives to LinkedIn Premium.
Local Chambers of Commerce
Joining your local Chamber of Commerce can provide networking events, business resources, and career transition programs.
Industry Associations and Meetups
Industry associations and local meetup groups centered on your profession can provide networking opportunities and skill-building workshops.
Coworking Spaces
Shared coworking spaces allow you to network and interact with professionals across various industries and roles.
The free version of LinkedIn still provides substantial value for professional networking and growth. With a mix of online resources and local community options, you can build connections without the cost of Premium.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn Premium provides expanded features and benefits beyond the free version of LinkedIn, but is not a one-time lifetime purchase. Ongoing monthly or annual payments are required to maintain Premium access. While LinkedIn does not offer permanent free Premium accounts, limited-time special promotions may provide extended access up to 1 year without recurring fees. To maximize the value of Premium, take advantage of all its professional development and networking capabilities.