Lynda.com offers a vast library of video courses taught by industry experts in software, creative, and business skills. While a Lynda subscription typically costs money, many LinkedIn members can access Lynda for free as part of their LinkedIn membership.
How to Get Lynda for Free with LinkedIn
LinkedIn purchased Lynda.com in 2015, and has since integrated Lynda into its platform. Here’s how eligible LinkedIn members can activate free access to Lynda:
- Make sure you are logged into your LinkedIn account.
- Go to www.linkedin.com/learning in your browser or navigate to it from your homepage.
- If you are eligible for free access, you will see an option to “Get full access to Lynda – Free for 1 month.” Click this prompt.
- Lynda will now be activated and included with your LinkedIn membership. Access Lynda video courses directly from the LinkedIn Learning portal.
Who Can Get Lynda for Free?
Unfortunately, LinkedIn does not provide free Lynda access to all members automatically. Here are the requirements to access Lynda for free:
- Premium Account Holders – All LinkedIn Premium subscribers (paid accounts) have unlimited free access to Lynda as part of their membership benefits.
- Recurring Access – Some standard LinkedIn members may be prompted periodically with an offer for 1 month free Lynda access. LinkedIn will indicate if you are eligible.
- Company or University Program – Your company or university may have integrated free Lynda access into their LinkedIn Learning portal for employees or students.
So in summary, having a Premium paid LinkedIn account is the only guaranteed way to get unlimited, recurring access to Lynda for free. Otherwise, you may be able to periodically activate limited free trials if prompted by LinkedIn.
What Courses Are Included with Lynda?
Lynda has a vast course library with over 6,000 courses across various subjects. When accessed through LinkedIn, some key course topics include:
- Leadership & Management
- Team Building
- Project Management
- Communication Skills
- Marketing & Sales
- Digital & Social Media Marketing
- Accounting & Finance
- Human Resources
- Office Productivity Software
- Web Development & Coding
- Graphic & Digital Design
Within each subject area, you’ll find in-depth training courses and tutorials taught by recognized industry experts. Courses range from 1-2 hours for quick skills training to 10+ hours for mastering in-depth program mastery.
Benefits of Using Lynda through LinkedIn
There are several advantages that come with accessing Lynda’s training library through your LinkedIn membership:
- Free access – For eligible members, you can get full access without paying Lynda’s regular subscription fees.
- Customized recommendations – LinkedIn Learning provides course suggestions based on the skills and interests in your LinkedIn Profile.
- Ease of use – Get Lynda courses integrated seamlessly into your LinkedIn Learning portal.
- Apps and offline access – Download mobile apps or course videos to watch offline.
- Certificates of completion – Many Lynda courses offer completion certificates you can showcase on your LinkedIn profile.
Lynda Alternatives
If you aren’t eligible for free Lynda access through LinkedIn, here are some alternative platforms to consider for online learning:
Skillshare
Skillshare has thousands of courses focused on creative skills like design, photography, writing, technology and more. Membership starts at around $99 per year for unlimited course access.
Udemy
Udemy is a course marketplace with over 180,000 video courses in business, design, IT and more. Courses are paid individually, often at very low prices when discounted.
EdX
EdX offers free online courses created by leading global universities including MIT, Harvard, Berkeley and more. You can audit courses for free or pay for official certificates.
Coursera
Coursera partners with top universities to offer online courses across multiple disciplines like engineering, data science, business, computer science and many more. Most courses are free to audit but certificates cost money.
LinkedIn Learning
Beyond Lynda, LinkedIn Learning has its own expert-led courses to help you gain job-relevant skills quickly. And it comes included with Premium paid accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lynda really free with LinkedIn?
Lynda is free for all LinkedIn Premium subscribers. Some standard account holders may get limited free trials periodically. Otherwise, you need to pay for Lynda access outside of LinkedIn.
Can you download Lynda videos?
Yes, LinkedIn Learning allows Premium members to download Lynda video courses through the mobile app or website to watch offline.
Is Lynda worth paying for?
Lynda is considered worth the paid subscription for unlimited access to its extensive course library and certified training. But free access through LinkedIn provides great value to learn new skills.
What is LinkedIn Learning?
LinkedIn Learning is the educational platform from LinkedIn that provides expert-led courses for professional development. It incorporates content from Lynda as well as LinkedIn’s own course library.
Is there a free trial for LinkedIn Learning?
LinkedIn provides one month free trials of LinkedIn Learning Premium occasionally for standard account holders. Premium subscribers already get full free access. There is no traditional ongoing free trial option.
Conclusion
Lynda provides LinkedIn members with an invaluable learning resource to gain in-demand professional skills. While not free for all members, Premium subscribers do get unlimited access included in their paid membership. Otherwise, look for occasional free trial offers from LinkedIn, or consider alternative platforms like Skillshare, Udemy, EdX or Coursera for affordable online learning.