As a savvy LinkedIn user, you may have noticed that the price for LinkedIn Premium has gone up recently. With subscription prices ranging from $29.99 to $59.99 per month, you may be wondering what’s behind the price hike and whether it’s still worth paying for Premium.
In this article, we’ll break down the reasons LinkedIn has raised Premium pricing, look at the different membership tiers and features, and help you decide if Premium is a worthwhile investment for advancing your career.
LinkedIn Premium Pricing History
Let’s start with some background on how LinkedIn Premium pricing has evolved over time:
- 2003 – LinkedIn launches with basic free membership
- 2007 – LinkedIn introduces Premium subscriptions starting at $24.95/month
- 2011 – Premium increased to $29.95/month
- 2013 – Premium increased to $39.95/month
- 2016 – Premium increased to $49.95/month
- 2022 – New Premium Plus launched at $59.95/month, Premium increased to $29.99/month
As you can see, Premium pricing has slowly but steadily crept up over LinkedIn’s 19 years in business. The most recent 2022 update added a new top-tier Premium Plus option at $59.99/month, while increasing the original Premium to $29.99/month.
LinkedIn claims they use premium pricing tiers to maintain their high member value and enhance their platform with new features and capabilities. However, as a profit-driven public company, it’s natural for LinkedIn to raise prices periodically to drive revenue growth for shareholders.
LinkedIn Premium Features
Next, let’s examine the features you get at each Premium tier to understand what’s behind the price tags:
LinkedIn Premium ($29.99/month)
- See who viewed your profile
- Send unlimited InMails to recruiters/hiring managers
- Advanced profile search filters
- Compare your profile vs other applicants
- Take online courses and earn certifications
LinkedIn Premium Plus ($59.99/month)
Includes all Premium features plus:
- Invite decision makers to apply for jobs
- See how your profile ranks vs other applicants
- Get interview prep and coaching
- Unlock unlimited expert support
The main upgrades with Premium Plus are the ability to actively reach out to recruiters and hiring managers, along with expert coaching and support.
Is LinkedIn Premium Worth It?
Whether Premium is worth the higher price depends on your career goals and how you use LinkedIn:
Job Seeker
Premium is worthwhile if you are an active job seeker leveraging LinkedIn to network and find new career opportunities. Key benefits like seeing who viewed your profile and contacting recruiters directly can give you a leg up on the competition.
Passive Candidate
If you are employed but open to new offers, the free LinkedIn account may be sufficient to broadcast your profile and attract recruiter inquiries.
Entrepreneur/Marketer
Premium offers enhanced capabilities like tracking content analytics that can benefit business owners, freelancers, and marketers trying to boost their brand on LinkedIn.
Recruiter
Premium is a must for recruiters and HR professionals who rely on LinkedIn for sourcing and connecting with candidates.
Casual User
If you just use LinkedIn occasionally for basic networking or profile visibility, the free account should meet your needs.
Here is a comparison table summarizing the value of Premium for different LinkedIn user types:
| User Type | Free Value | Premium Value |
|---|---|---|
| Job Seeker | Medium | High |
| Passive Candidate | Medium | Low |
| Entrepreneur/Marketer | Low | High |
| Recruiter | Low | High |
| Casual User | High | Low |
Tips for Saving on LinkedIn Premium
If you decide LinkedIn Premium is worth the investment, here are some tips to minimize the cost:
- Only subscribe for 1-2 months during active job searches. Pause subscription when search is inactive.
- Take advantage of any student or group discounts that may apply.
- Split costs with coworkers by sharing a Premium login.
- Use Premium Plus for the first 1-2 months of a job search, then step down to regular Premium.
- Compare deals on Premium subscription cards sold at major retailers.
Conclusion
Due to rising costs to maintain their platform, LinkedIn has continued increasing the price of Premium over time. The latest pricing tiers make Premium a significant investment especially for individual subscribers. However, Premium can provide high value and a competitive edge for those using LinkedIn strategically to advance their careers or business interests. With smart selection of features and discounts, Premium remains a worthwhile product for the right LinkedIn users despite the price hikes.