The gap between a free and a Premium LinkedIn® account is wider than ever. There was a time when you could get quite far on LinkedIn® with just a basic profile. But the platform has increasingly shifted toward a “pay to play” model. With ad revenues falling short and growing pressure to deliver profits, LinkedIn® has been tightening the reins on what free users can do.
But does that mean everyone should upgrade? Not necessarily. Still, it’s important to understand what you’re missing if you don’t, and when Premium is actually a smart investment.
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A widening gap between free and paid
It used to be that free users could at least see who visited their profile. Now? You get a tiny selection of your most recent visitors. Personalized connection requests? Limited to five per month. Search capabilities? Severely restricted. InMails? Out of the question.
Compare that with Premium members, who get full visibility on profile views, can send dozens of connection requests, use advanced search filters, and send up to 50 InMails a month, depending on the type of Premium plan. For sales professionals, recruiters, or active networkers, that difference is massive.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand why LinkedIn® is doing this. Running a high-performing, global professional platform isn’t cheap. And LinkedIn® remains one of a kind.
But if your mission is to “connect professionals,” it feels a bit off that those connections are becoming harder and harder for free users to make.
When is LinkedIn® Premium worth it?
You don’t need to rush out and buy Premium if you only use LinkedIn® occasionally or are just passively present. A free account will be enough for most casual users.
But in these situations, a Premium subscription might be well worth considering:
In 2023, 18.87% of all LinkedIn® users had a Premium account. Not a majority, but nearly 1 in 5. That number is likely to grow as free features continue to be scaled back.
Here’s what LinkedIn® Premium will cost you in 2025:
For job seekers and professionals looking to boost their career.
Ideal for entrepreneurs, consultants, and freelancers who want detailed profile insights and smarter networking.
Tailored to sales pros who want to prospect efficiently, run advanced searches, and build strategic lists.
Built for recruiters who need to find and reach talent without barriers.
LinkedIn® still offers a free trial with each plan, so you can explore what really moves the needle before committing.
A tip for journalists
If you’re a journalist, here’s a pro tip: LinkedIn® offers a free annual Premium subscription to active journalists. Why? They want journalists to use the platform to share articles, spark discussions, and add editorial value to the feed.
That kind of activity boosts daily engagement, and strengthens LinkedIn®’s position as a relevant media platform. A smart move, considering how valuable engagement data is to advertisers.
Journalists can apply via a dedicated form (link provided by LinkedIn®).
Final thoughts
Whether LinkedIn® Premium is worth it comes down to your goals on the platform. But one thing’s clear: if you want to get the most out of LinkedIn® today, you’ll need to be willing to invest, either with money, or with time.
Curious whether Premium is right for you? Feel free to send us a message, and we’ll be happy to take a look with you.