Having an online presence is essential today. Among the many platforms available, LinkedIn stands out as the leading professional social network. More than 1 in 10 people find a job through it. In other words, the platform brings together half a billion people worldwide. Thus, LinkedIn has become a must-have tool for any company, employee, or professional wanting to build a professional image online, acquire new skills, or look for a job. But what does the platform actually let you do? How does it work, and what tools does it offer to subscribers?
What is LinkedIn?
A simple definition
LinkedIn is an online social platform dedicated to professional networking and exchanges. Each user can create a profile, which acts as a showcase of their identity and career path, and interact with other members, companies, or partners. Unlike other social networks, LinkedIn focuses on the professional value of contacts, relevant content creation, and building recognition within a given industry.
Origin and evolution of the platform
Created in 2002 in Mountain View, California by Reid Hoffman, Allen Blue, and their team, LinkedIn was officially launched in 2003. Within a few years, it became a vital tool for millions of professionals in over 200 countries. Acquired by Microsoft in 2016 for more than $26 billion, the platform strengthened its position by introducing new features: LinkedIn Learning, enhanced advertising offers, and a more effective content distribution algorithm.
What is LinkedIn used for?
A network for professionals
Above all, LinkedIn is a professional social network, designed to facilitate networking and maintain relationships with colleagues, clients, and prospects. It allows users to publish articles, videos, or news to strengthen their personal brand, increase visibility, and demonstrate expertise in their field.
A tool for job searching
For many users, LinkedIn is also a powerful job search tool. Thanks to advanced features and its search engine, it helps users connect with recruiters, both in France and abroad. Millions of job offers are posted every month, and members can receive listings tailored to their profiles and skills.
A lever to develop new skills
With LinkedIn Learning, the platform offers a vast catalog of online courses to improve technical skills, gain new expertise, or prepare for a career change. These resources, accessible via the LinkedIn app or website, are a real added value for members wanting to stay competitive in the market.
How does LinkedIn work?
The LinkedIn profile and its key elements
Your LinkedIn profile represents your identity on the platform. It includes your photo, title, experiences, skills, achievements, and recommendations. By optimizing your profile, you increase your visibility and improve your chances of being contacted by recruiters or clients.
The network of connections and interactions
Connections are the foundation of networking on LinkedIn. The larger your network, the more your content can reach a targeted audience. Interactions—comments, shares, or direct messages—help build your reputation and maintain strong professional relationships.
Features: posts, groups, company pages
LinkedIn offers many features to boost your activity: post content, join a group, create a company page, share videos, host events, and even publish in real time via the mobile app. Each of these options strengthens your communication strategy and helps grow your business.
Why is LinkedIn useful for companies?
Recruitment and employer branding
For companies, LinkedIn has become a central tool for recruitment and employer brand development. With powerful prospecting tools like LinkedIn Recruiter, they can identify the right candidates and highlight their corporate culture to clients or future collaborators.
Communication and B2B marketing
LinkedIn is also a powerful lever for marketing and generating qualified B2B leads. Companies can reach their target audience through relevant posts, targeted advertising campaigns, and lead generation tactics. Showcasing their operations, success stories, brand image, and event participation increases visibility and strengthens market positioning.
Should you switch to LinkedIn Premium?
Benefits for individual users
The free version of LinkedIn is enough to create an account, publish content, and build your network. However, a Premium subscription offers exclusive features: see who viewed your profile, send InMail messages, access advanced stats, and take LinkedIn Learning courses. More broadly, Premium lets you automate LinkedIn prospecting.
Premium for recruiters and salespeople
Recruiters and salespeople can access tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator and LinkedIn Recruiter for more targeted prospecting, personalized conversations, and in-depth data tracking. These services significantly increase chances of closing deals or finding talent.
LinkedIn today and tomorrow
Key figures
Today, LinkedIn gathers over 1.2 billion members, including nearly 30 million in France. Around 310 million active users post, share, or view content monthly, generating a massive amount of data and high activity.
Future trends of the professional network
LinkedIn’s future is shaped by artificial intelligence, social selling, short videos, and improved personalization. The platform’s strategy aims to enhance interactions, promote increasingly relevant content, and highlight opportunities tailored to members.
What is LinkedIn? It’s the only professional social network that blends recruitment, training, marketing, and sales. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, recruiter, or active user, LinkedIn provides tools at every stage to shape your image, grow your business, and showcase your full potential. Used well, it’s the platform of choice for professional development.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about LinkedIn
Is LinkedIn free?
Yes, the basic version is free and lets you create and use a professional profile. The Premium version is paid and gives access to extra features.
What’s the difference between LinkedIn and a resume?
Unlike a static resume, LinkedIn allows you to post, share, and update information in real time, maintain your network, and distribute your content.
Can I find a job on LinkedIn?
Absolutely: many job offers are posted on the platform, and you can apply directly using your profile.
Is LinkedIn only for executives?
No, LinkedIn is for everyone: individuals, recent graduates, freelancers, employees, managers, and entrepreneurs across all industries.
Can I use LinkedIn to sell my services?
Yes: tools like Sales Navigator make it easier to prospect, generate leads, and sell your services or products.
