If you notice a charge from LinkedIn on your credit card statement, there are a few potential reasons why it may have appeared. LinkedIn offers several paid services and features that could result in charges on your card if you signed up for them. In this article, we’ll explore the main possibilities for LinkedIn charges and how to identify the source.
LinkedIn Premium Subscriptions
The most likely reason for a LinkedIn charge on your credit card is that you have an active Premium subscription. LinkedIn Premium provides access to additional features and services such as:
- Seeing who viewed your profile
- Advanced profile filtering and search
- Unlimited InMail messages
- Premium badge on your profile
LinkedIn offers three tiers of Premium subscriptions: Basic, Plus, and Sales Navigator. Here are the current monthly costs for each:
Subscription | Monthly Price |
---|---|
Premium Basic | $29.99 |
Premium Plus | $59.99 |
Sales Navigator Pro | $64.99 |
If you signed up for a free Premium trial at some point, keep in mind that LinkedIn will automatically start charging your card once the trial ends. So that likely explains any unexpected Premium charges.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda) is the company’s e-learning platform. It provides access to thousands of video courses covering business, creative, and technology topics. There are two paid membership options:
- Individual: $29.99/month billed annually or $39.99 month-to-month
- Business: Custom pricing based on number of seats; comes with additional admin features
If you signed up for a LinkedIn Learning subscription, you will be charged monthly or annually depending on your plan. Check under account settings to see your current membership status.
LinkedIn Job Postings
LinkedIn allows you to post job listings on their platform. This service is aimed at employers and recruiters looking to hire. Job posting prices are based on factors like category, location, duration, etc. Here are some example price points:
- 1 month basic listing: $199
- Multi-pack listings: $750 for 5
- Featured job upgrade: +$50 per post
If your company has been actively hiring through LinkedIn, job postings are likely the source of any charges that appear. The frequency may vary too – some plans allow you to pre-pay for multiple discounted listings.
Sponsored Content
LinkedIn allows you to sponsor content like posts, articles, and videos to reach a wider audience. The cost varies based on factors like targeting options, content format, and campaign duration. Some examples of LinkedIn’s content advertising options include:
- Sponsored Content: Promoted posts from your LinkedIn Company Page
- Sponsored InMail: Targeted direct messages to LinkedIn members
- Text Ads: Text-based ads that appear on LinkedIn pages
Advertising and sponsored content campaigns will result in occasional or recurring charges depending on your settings. Check your current campaigns and ad activity for details.
Other LinkedIn Services
Beyond the main options covered already, LinkedIn does offer a few other services that could lead to charges:
- Recruiter seat licenses: For larger talent recruiting teams, LinkedIn charges per seat for its Recruiter platform.
- Custom groups: You can create private groups with a monthly fee up to $750 depending on membership size.
- Event tickets: LinkedIn hosts conferences and events that require paid tickets.
- Nonprofit donations: You can donate to nonprofits through LinkedIn.
If you used any of these specific services, it would explain the LinkedIn credit card charges.
How to Check and Cancel LinkedIn Paid Services
If you want to check what LinkedIn products you may have signed up for, or cancel any you no longer want, here are the steps:
- Go to your LinkedIn account settings
- Under the “Account” tab, select “Purchase history”
- This will display all your active purchases and subscriptions
- Click “Manage” next to any subscription to cancel or change it
You can also contact LinkedIn customer support for help reviewing or cancelling any services. Just keep in mind that cancellations typically take effect at the end of your current billing cycle.
LinkedIn does not offer prorated refunds if you cancel mid-cycle. So it’s best to review and cancel any unused subscriptions through your account portal to avoid being charged again.
Getting LinkedIn Charges Refunded
If you determine the LinkedIn charge was completely accidental or unauthorized, you can request a refund by contacting their customer support.
Keep the following in mind when seeking a refund:
- Proof of accidental sign-up or authorization may be required
- Refund eligibility can depend on the product or service
- Premium subscriptions are nonrefundable after a 7 day grace period
- Refunds typically get credited back to your original payment method
To improve your chances of getting approved for a refund, contact LinkedIn support as soon as possible after identifying the erroneous charge. Provide clear details on when and how the accidental charge occurred as well as the exact amount.
Avoiding Unwanted LinkedIn Charges
To avoid surprise LinkedIn charges in the future, here are some best practices:
- Review account activity frequently: Catch any unauthorized purchases right away.
- Cancel unused services: Check subscriptions and remove those you don’t use.
- Remove payment methods: Delete any outdated or unused cards on your account.
- Adjust ad budgets: Set low daily ad spend limits to limit charges.
- Use prepaid cards: Load a set amount you are comfortable spending.
Catching erroneous charges quickly and limiting payment methods are two of the best ways to control unwanted LinkedIn spending. Contact their support team immediately if you see any billing activity that looks suspicious or fraudulent.
Using LinkedIn Responsibly
With over 560 million members, LinkedIn can be a valuable platform for networking, branding, and recruitment. But it does offer a wide array of paid services that can impact your credit card. By carefully reviewing account activity, minimizing unused subscriptions, and reporting unauthorized charges promptly, you can avoid unexpected LinkedIn billing issues.
Keeping your payment information current, using prepaid cards, and adding spending limits enables you to use LinkedIn’s tools responsibly without the risk of fraudulent abuse. Being an informed and proactive member gives you full control over how the platform interacts with your finances.