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LinkedIn

Organization

A subsidiary of Microsoft used by Nadella as an example of how organizational structures are changing in the age of AI, by combining roles like product managers and engineers into 'full stack builders.'


First Mentioned

1/22/2026, 4:20:10 AM

Last Updated

1/22/2026, 4:23:17 AM

Research Retrieved

1/22/2026, 4:23:17 AM

Summary

LinkedIn is a global professional networking platform and a subsidiary of Microsoft, primarily used for career development, job searching, and business-to-business marketing. Launched on May 5, 2003, by Reid Hoffman and Eric Ly, it has grown to over 1 billion members across 200 countries as of 2024. The platform generates revenue through recruitment services, sales intelligence, and its advertising portal, LinkedIn Ads. Following its $26.2 billion acquisition by Microsoft in 2016, LinkedIn has been integrated into Microsoft's broader strategy for organizational change, specifically using role combination to increase operational velocity in the age of AI. Despite its success, the platform has faced significant challenges, including major security breaches in 2012 and 2016, and regulatory bans in Russia, Kazakhstan, and China.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Founder

    Eric Ly

  • Launch Date

    2003-05-05

  • Headquarters

    Sunnyvale, California, United States

  • Member Count

    1 billion+ (as of 2024)

  • Inception Date

    2002-01-01

  • Acquisition Price

    $26.2 billion

  • San Francisco Office

    222 2nd Street, San Francisco, California, United States

  • Primary Revenue Sources

    Recruiter access, Sales professional data access, LinkedIn Ads

Timeline
  • Inception of the organization. (Source: Wikidata)

    2002-01-01

  • Official launch of the LinkedIn social networking service. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2003-05-05

  • Reached 10 million users and began international expansion into India, Australia, and Ireland. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2007-01-01

  • Ranked No. 10 on Silicon Valley Insider's Top 100 List of most valuable startups. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2010-10-01

  • Security breach where cryptographic hashes of 6.4 million users were stolen and published. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2012-06-01

  • 117 million LinkedIn usernames and passwords from the 2012 hack were offered for sale online. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2016-05-01

  • LinkedIn was banned in Russia. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2016-11-01

  • Microsoft completed the acquisition of LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2016-12-01

  • LinkedIn faced bans or restrictions in Kazakhstan. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2021-01-01

  • LinkedIn was banned in China. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2023-01-01

  • LinkedIn surpassed 1 billion registered members globally. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2024-01-01

LinkedIn

LinkedIn () is an American business and employment-oriented social networking service. The platform is primarily used for professional networking and career development, as it allows jobseekers to post their CVs and employers to post their job listings. As of 2024, LinkedIn has more than 1 billion registered members from over 200 countries and territories. It was launched on May 5, 2003, by Reid Hoffman and Eric Ly, receiving financing from numerous venture capital firms, including Sequoia Capital, in the years following its inception. Users can invite other people to become connections on the platform, regardless of whether the invitees are already members of LinkedIn. LinkedIn can also be used to organize offline events, create and join groups, write articles, and post photos and videos. In 2007, there were 10 million users on the platform, which urged LinkedIn to open offices around the world, including India, Australia and Ireland. In October 2010 LinkedIn was ranked No. 10 on the Silicon Valley Insider's Top 100 List of most valuable startups. From 2015, most of the company's revenue came from selling access to information about its members to recruiters and sales professionals; LinkedIn also introduced their own ad portal named LinkedIn Ads to let companies advertise in their platform. In December 2016, Microsoft purchased LinkedIn for $26.2 billion, being their largest acquisition at the time. 94% of business-to-business marketers since 2017 use LinkedIn to distribute their content. LinkedIn has been subject to criticism over its design choices, such as its endorsement feature and its use of members' e-mail accounts to send spam mail. Due to LinkedIn's poor security practices, several incidents have occurred with the website, including in 2012, when the cryptographic hashes of approximately 6.4 million users were stolen and published online; and in 2016, when 117 million LinkedIn usernames and passwords (likely sourced from the 2012 hack) were offered for sale. The platform has also been criticised for its poor handling of misinformation and disinformation, particularly pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic and to the 2020 US presidential election. Various countries have placed bans or restrictions on LinkedIn: it was banned in Russia in 2016, Kazakhstan in 2021, and China in 2023.

Web Search Results
  • LinkedIn: Jobs & Business News - Apps on Google Play

    Welcome to LinkedIn – The Professional Network That Works for You Build your career, grow your network, and unlock opportunities with LinkedIn, your trusted platform for meaningful professional connections. Explore Key Features: Seamless Job Search - Effortlessly find roles that align with your skills and interests using LinkedIn’s AI-powered tools. - Set personalized job alerts to stay ahead of potential opportunities. - Quick Apply: Use your LinkedIn profile or resume to apply for jobs in just a few clicks. Engage With Business News & Insights - Stay updated on industry trends and company news to make informed career decisions. [...] - Access content shared by industry leaders, explore collaborative articles, and join engaging conversations within your community. Professional Networking That Matters - Build meaningful connections with colleagues, peers, and industry experts. - Engage with a community of professionals who share your interests and goals. - Enhanced Visibility: Members who share posts and updates twice a week enjoy up to 5x more profile views, boosting their professional reach. Strengthen Your Professional Brand - Showcase your skills, achievements, and projects to underscore your expertise. - Verification Badges: Add a verification badge to signal authenticity and build trust—verified members see 60% more profile views on average. Join a Trusted and Secure Community [...] Join a Trusted and Secure Community - Grow and engage in a secure platform backed by LinkedIn’s verification features. Verified profiles, workplace credentials, and educational backgrounds create a trusted environment for connections and opportunities. - Collaborate with like-minded professionals in a space designed to foster meaningful and productive relationships. Why Premium? Boost your LinkedIn experience with Premium tools and insights: - See who views your profile. - Access exclusive content, learning courses, and salary data. - Network confidently with InMail messages. We ask for a few permissions when you use this app. Here’s why:

  • LinkedIn - Wikipedia

    The site also enables members to make "connections" to each other in an online social network which may represent real-world professional relationships. Members can invite anyone to become a connection. Users can obtain introductions to the connections of connections (termed _second-degree connections_) and connections of second-degree connections (termed _third-degree connections_). [...] LinkedIn allows professionals to build exposure for their brand within the site itself and on the World Wide Web as a whole. With a tool that LinkedIn dubs a _Profile Strength Meter_, the site encourages users to offer enough information in their profile to optimize visibility by search engines. It can strengthen a user's LinkedIn presence if they belong to professional groups on the site.( The site enables users to add a video to their profiles.( Some users hire a professional photographer for their profile photo.( Video presentations can be added to one's profile.( LinkedIn's capabilities have been expanding so rapidly that a cottage industry of outside consultants has grown up to help users navigate the system.( A particular emphasis is helping users with their LinkedIn profiles.( [...] LinkedIn also allows users to research companies, non-profit organizations, and governments they may be interested in working for. Typing the name of a company or organization in the search box causes pop-up data about the company or organization to appear. Such data may include the ratio of female to male employees, the percentage of the most common titles/positions held within the company, the location of the company's headquarters and offices, and a list of present and former employees. In July 2011, LinkedIn launched a new feature allowing companies to include an "Apply with LinkedIn" button on job listing pages.( The new plugin allowed potential employees to apply for positions using their LinkedIn profiles as resumes.(

  • LinkedIn: Network & Job Finder - App Store - Apple

    Welcome professionals! The key to getting in is getting started. Begin your career journey with LinkedIn today. Are you searching for the right job opportunities to advance your career? LinkedIn is one of the largest social networking apps for online job searches that also provides content that can help you grow. Build your resume, nurture your professional relationships, connect with recruiters, and apply for your next job. You can establish job alerts for local or remote positions, expand your network of business contacts, stay informed about the latest industry news, read articles, and stay up-to-date with companies and industry leaders to enhance your workplace and career- builder experience. Get business insights before you apply for the job, including company information and job [...] SOCIAL NETWORKING • Utilize LinkedIn's profile-building tools to enhance your connections and expand your social network for career growth. • Connect with members from across the globe on the world's largest social network. BUILD YOUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY • Easily find groups or communities that share your interests on LinkedIn. • Network on the go: Connect with new contacts and industry experts. • Follow companies, top voices, and professionals. • Social networking for businesses: Gain new opportunities through showcasing your company or product. RESUME AND PROFILE • Job finder: Apply for jobs using your LinkedIn profile. • Social network: Build your professional profile and make business connections. • Resume: Create your online CV and use it as a resume for job applications. Whether [...] Find jobs and connections through your LinkedIn network. • Search for opportunities and set up job alerts for companies that are currently hiring. • Job openings: Submit job applications across a wide range of professions and secure interviews for your dream job. • Find local jobs in your area or online opportunities that let you work from home. • Job App: Easily apply for jobs and set up job alerts for any full-time or part-time jobs you might be interested in. BUSINESS NEWS AND INSIGHTS • Stay up-to-date by following business news and company content from related industries. • See what your connections are saying in posts and conversations. • Share articles and newsworthy topics with your LinkedIn community and business contacts. SOCIAL NETWORKING • Utilize LinkedIn's profile-building

  • Profiles LinkedIn

    by building strong personal relationships with the most talented and ambitious individuals in the marketplace. We know it's more than just resumes and skill sets, more than analytics and interviews. When we send a Profiles candidate to take a position in your company, it's not just business, it's personal. It's about fitting in, hitting it off, feeling comfortable. When you're done talking with our candidate, you'll know you have the right person in front of you. Profiles excels at putting the right people in the right seats. And when that happens, your company becomes more competitive, more productive, more profitable. Because business works better with the right people. careerprofiles.com [...] and sharing your expertise on social media can create opportunities you may not find elsewhere. Using your platforms with purpose can help you get noticed by the right people and companies, making your next career move more attainable. Click through below to see: 👉 How to Build a Strong Network 👉 Tips for Sharing Expertise 👉 Platform Strategies That Work 👉 Engaging with Industry Leaders 👉 Key Takeaways Ready to take the next step? Profiles adds new roles to our #CareerPortal every day. Explore them here: [Likes: 2, Comments: 0]; Profiles (5d): Q4 is now one of the most strategic windows for full-time hiring Why companies are hiring now instead of waiting: ✅ Leadership continuity into 2026 ✅ Access to passive, high-performing talent ✅ Less competition than January hiring surges ✅ Faster [...] - 📍 RICHMOND, VA (Hybrid) - 🎃 Writer, Business - 24778 - 📍 NEW YORK, NY - 🎃 Senior Editor, Politics - 24779 - 📍 WASHINGTON, DC - 🎃 Editor, Politics - 24780 - 📍 WASHINGTON, DC - 🎃 WordPress Developer - 24782 - 📍 IRVINE, CA (Hybrid) - 🎃 Salesforce Developer - 24784 - 📍 IRVINE, CA (Hybrid) - 🎃 Senior Salesforce Administrator - 24785 - 📍 IRVINE, CA (Hybrid) - 🎃 Media Project Manager - 24790 - 📍 PORTLAND, ME (Hybrid) - To see more job openings, explore our #Career Portal: #Jobs #Hiring #HiringNow #Editor #Developer #ProjectManager #HybridRemote #HybridRoles #Marketing #Creative #JobSeekers [Likes: 3, Comments: 0]; Profiles (1w): If you are forecasting talent needs for early 2026, now is the window. As companies finalize year-end planning, Q4 is becoming one of the most strategic

  • LinkedIn (@LinkedIn) / Posts / X - Twitter

    LinkedIn (@LinkedIn) / X Don’t miss what’s happening People on X are the first to know. Log in Sign up []( LinkedIn 20.5K posts See new posts Image 1 Image 2: Square profile picture and Opens profile photo Follow Click to Follow LinkedIn LinkedIn @LinkedIn Welcome to a world of career opportunities, advice, inspiration and community. | Support → @LinkedInHelp Sunnyvale, CAlinkedin.com Joined February 2008 18 Following 1.8M Followers Posts Affiliates Replies Media LinkedIn’s posts Pinned Image 3: Square profile picture LinkedIn @LinkedIn · May 22, 2023 Where we’ve been and what we’ve accomplished don’t define where we can go. Because everyone deserves the opportunity to get an opportunity. Here, you find your in and we all move forward. #FindYourIn 0:28 [...] The media could not be played. Reload 473 271 827 []( Image 14: Square profile picture LinkedIn @LinkedIn · Nov 3, 2022 Sorry I didn’t bring you iced coffee today that wasn’t very favorite coworker of me 380 251 990 []( Image 15: Square profile picture LinkedIn @LinkedIn · Nov 2, 2022 Work besties from different generations >>> 297 233 912 []( Image 16: Square profile picture LinkedIn @LinkedIn · Nov 1, 2022 Like this tweet if you're listening to holiday music at work 323 206 978 []( LinkedIn reposted Image 17: Square profile picture CBS Mornings Image 18 @CBSMornings · Oct 28, 2022 Employers are looking for new hires with more "soft skills" and focusing less on where candidates went to school, says LinkedIn career expert @cafisher [...] 0:28 15K 2.6K 6.8K 1.3M Image 4: Square profile picture LinkedIn @LinkedIn · May 22, 2023 Where we’ve been and what we’ve accomplished don’t define where we can go. Because everyone deserves the opportunity to get an opportunity. Here, you find your in and we all move forward. #FindYourIn Image 5 15K 2.6K 6.8K 1.3M Show more replies Image 6: Square profile picture LinkedIn @LinkedIn · May 22, 2023 Find like-minded professionals, meaningful connections, and career champions, all in one place → []( linkedin.com LinkedIn Login, Sign in | LinkedIn Login to LinkedIn to keep in touch with people you know, share ideas, and build your career. 1.2K 263 878 301K Image 7: Square profile picture LinkedIn @LinkedIn · May 22, 2023

Location Data

LinkedIn, 222, 2nd Street, Transbay, South of Market, San Francisco, California, 94105, United States

office

Coordinates: 37.7864738, -122.3982635

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