How Much is LinkedIn Premium and Is it Worth it?

Spend ten minutes on LinkedIn and you're likely to see their "Why not try LinkedIn Premium?" message.

Although having a basic LinkedIn account is free, the platform is increasingly trying to monetise its hold on professional social networking via LinkedIn Premium sales.

So, what do you get for upgrading?

What Do Free LinkedIn Accounts Include?

LinkedIn only makes sense if as many professionals as possible use the platform, so the free accounts include many more features than typical Freemium offers.

With a LinkedIn free account, users can:

Create and maintain an online profile
Build a network of connections
Receive and provide recommendations
Search for people, jobs, and companies
Save search results for future reference
Send unlimited messages
Send up to 100 connection requests a week
Take skill assessments
Post updates, articles, and live stream video (if in creator mode)

The Different Faces of LinkedIn Premium

LinkedIn offers a range of paid plans tailored to different user profiles and objectives.

1. LinkedIn Premium Career

If you are actively looking for a new job, LinkedIn Premium Career is designed to give you a competitive edge.

This plan allows your profile to stand out, improves your visibility to hiring managers, and provides tools to compare yourself with other candidates.

With LinkedIn Premium Career, you can:

Stand Out From The Crowd: A Premium Career badge on your profile signifies your commitment to advancing your career, making you more attractive to potential employers.
Contact Hiring Managers Directly: InMail, LinkedIn's personal messaging system, enables you to reach out to hiring managers and recruiters even if you are not connected.
Gain Insights Into The Job Market: LinkedIn Premium Career provides detailed information about job postings, helping you make more informed decisions about your applications and identifying roles where you're a top candidate.
See Who's Viewed Your Profile: Take the opportunity to message and connect with people who've viewed your profile in the last 90 days, but hide when you've viewed other profiles. Snoop away!
Acquire New Skills: Access to LinkedIn Learning, an extensive library of online courses, allows you to enhance your skills and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving job market.
Open profile: Allow members from outside your network to contact you about new opportunities by turning on Open Profile

LinkedIn Premium Career costs £24.98 a month or £249.80 a year.

LinkedIn claims that Premium members are 2.6x more likely to get hired on LinkedIn. The addition of LinkedIn Learning adds a lot of value to premium; courses are usually around the £20 mark on their own, so you're better off paying for Premium and having access to unlimited courses. You'll be able to share the completion certificates on your profile too.

If you're focused on finding your next role, the ability to directly message job posters, identify roles where you stand a good chance, and upskill using LinkedIn Learning make it a worthwhile investment.

2. LinkedIn Premium Business

There's also an equivalent of premium for business profiles.

With this plan, you can:

Improve Your Visibility: LinkedIn Premium Business members get up to 6 times more profile views, increasing your chances of being discovered by potential clients, partners, or employers.
Unlimited browsing: Advanced search filters enable you to target specific industries, companies, or job titles, allowing you to build meaningful connections with potential clients or partners.
Gain Access To Real-Time Insights: Business Insights provide valuable data and analytics about your audience, allowing you to make data-driven decisions to grow your business.

LinkedIn Premium Business is priced at £39.99/month or £399.90 a year.

Compared to all the additional features you get with LinkedIn Premium Career, the business offer feels lacking. Posting consistently and investing the spend on promoted content is likely to be a more flexible, budget-friendly option for most businesses.

3. LinkedIn Sales Navigator Pro

LinkedIn is the go-to platform for B2B sales with 73% of buyers saying they're more likely to consider a brand if the salesperson reaches out via LinkedIn.

Sales Navigator is designed to help salespeople get the most out of the platform, and it includes:

Identify And Target Potential Clients: Sales Navigator's advanced search filters enable you to find and connect with decision-makers in your target industries, helping you build a strong pipeline of leads.
Receive Real-Time Insights: Stay informed about changes within your target accounts, such as job changes or company updates, allowing you to engage with prospects at the right time.
Nurture Relationships: Sales Navigator provides tools to help you keep track of your interactions with prospects, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to engage and build meaningful relationships.
Streamline Your Sales Process: Standalone sales interfaces and customizable lead and account lists allow you to prioritize your efforts and focus on the most promising opportunities.

LinkedIn Sales Navigator Pro costs £49.99 a month or £499.90 a year.

As long as you've got the dedicated sales resource to make the most of it, Navigator is a great investment for B2B businesses wanting to nurture and contact leads on LinkedIn.

It includes many of the features you'd usually find in a paid-for CRM system, creating a more joined-up experience for potential customers that avoids opportunities falling through the cracks.

4. LinkedIn Recruiter Lite

For recruiters and talent acquisition professionals, LinkedIn Recruiter Lite offers a comprehensive set of features to streamline the hiring process. With this plan, you can:

Connect With Top Talent: LinkedIn Recruiter Lite allows you to reach out to potential candidates directly through InMail, even if you are not connected.
Access Advanced Candidate Search Filters: Find the perfect candidate by leveraging advanced search filters, including experience level, skills, and education.
Streamline Collaboration: Integrated hiring tools enable seamless collaboration with your team, ensuring a smooth and efficient hiring process.
Stay Updated On Candidate Activities: Automatic candidate tracking provides real-time updates on candidate activities, helping you stay informed and engaged throughout the hiring process.

LinkedIn Recruiter Lite costs £79.99/month or £799.90 a year.

For recruiters juggling many open positions or looking for a really specific set of skills, the ability to set advanced search criteria and message those outside your network soon pays for itself in commission.

Is LinkedIn Premium Worth It?

The decision ultimately depends on your professional goals and priorities.

If you are actively job hunting, LinkedIn Premium Career can significantly enhance your chances of success by providing valuable insights, increased visibility, and direct access to hiring managers.

For professionals and businesses looking to expand their network and establish their brand, Sales Navigator offers a range of features to help you achieve your objectives, though LinkedIn Premium Business isn't as feature-rich as some of the other premium options.

In the world of recruitment, LinkedIn Recruiter Lite has quickly become a must-have for finding strong candidates and communicating with them directly.

LinkedIn offers a free trial period for Premium accounts, allowing you to explore the features and decide if they are right for you and your business.