Is LinkedIn Premium worth it? Many professionals ask this after seeing the free trial offer on their profile.
The subscription promises better visibility, direct access to recruiters, and useful insights, but the real question is whether it truly helps you reach your goals.
LinkedIn Premium can be a strong tool for finding jobs, networking, or growing a business, but its value depends on how you use it.
In this guide, we’ll look at what each plan includes, how much it costs, and when upgrading makes sense.
What Is LinkedIn Premium and How Much Does It Cost
LinkedIn Premium is a paid version of LinkedIn that gives users extra tools for visibility, communication, and insights.
It’s meant for people who want to grow faster on the platform, whether they are job seekers, business owners, or recruiters.
There are four main LinkedIn Premium plans: Career, Business, Sales Navigator, and Recruiter Lite. Each plan supports a different goal, from finding new roles to generating leads or hiring talent.
Pricing varies by region but usually starts around $39.99 per month for the Career plan and goes up to $99.99 or more for Sales Navigator. You can also try a one-month free trial to explore the features before committing.
Here’s how the free version compares to LinkedIn Premium:
Free LinkedIn
- Limited profile view history
- Can message only connections
- Basic job listings with no insights
- No access to LinkedIn Learning
- Basic search filters and results
LinkedIn Premium
- See everyone who viewed your profile
- Send InMail messages to anyone
- Get job, salary, and applicant insights
- Access to thousands of LinkedIn Learning courses
- Use advanced search filters and analytics
Professionals who use LinkedIn Premium strategically often see faster results.
According to Forbes, professionals who use LinkedIn Premium strategically often see faster results. Those results depend on how well you use the tools available, which brings us to the key features that make Premium stand out.
Key Features That Make LinkedIn Premium Stand Out
LinkedIn Premium offers a set of tools that help you connect faster, understand your audience, and make smarter career or business moves.
While some features overlap with the free version, Premium gives you more control and visibility.
1. InMail messages
You can send direct messages to people outside your network, which helps when reaching out to recruiters, potential partners, or clients.
2. Who viewed your profile
Premium lets you see everyone who visited your profile in the last 90 days. This makes it easier to identify interested recruiters or leads.
3. Job and applicant insights
You can view salary ranges, competition data, and how your skills compare to other applicants. It’s a useful way to target roles that fit your profile better.
4. LinkedIn Learning
Premium users get unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning courses, covering everything from marketing to leadership and coding.
5. Company insights
This feature gives detailed information about company growth, size, and hiring trends, which can help you prepare for interviews or target leads.
6. Advanced search and analytics
You can filter by industry, location, experience level, and more, making it easier to find the right people or opportunities.
These features are especially valuable when used consistently and with clear goals. The next section explains who benefits most from them and when upgrading makes sense.
Who Should Use LinkedIn Premium?
LinkedIn Premium can be useful for many types of users, but it’s not equally valuable for everyone.
Some gain real benefits from its communication tools and insights, while others might not need the upgrade.
🔹 For Job Seekers
If you’re looking for a new position or want to get noticed by recruiters, Premium gives you several practical advantages:
Benefits for job seekers:
- Send InMail messages directly to hiring managers or recruiters
- See who viewed your profile in the past 90 days
- Access job and salary insights to compare yourself with other applicants
- Take LinkedIn Learning courses to build or refresh in-demand skills
- View detailed company information before interviews
Adding a strong, updated CV to your profile makes these features even more effective.
You can learn how to do that in our guide on adding your resume to LinkedIn, which explains how to make your CV visible and searchable by recruiters.
🔹 For Businesses and Recruiters
LinkedIn Premium also supports professionals focused on sales, hiring, or brand visibility.
Plans like Sales Navigator and Recruiter Lite give access to tools that help you find and connect with people faster.
Benefits for businesses and recruiters:
- Filter users with advanced search options
- Contact leads or candidates through InMail
- Access company and industry insights to plan outreach
- Use analytics to track engagement and response rates
- Build trust and authority through consistent posting and networking
Brands can also treat LinkedIn like a professional version of other social platforms. Our post on using Facebook for business covers audience engagement strategies that adapt well to LinkedIn’s environment.
LinkedIn Premium is most effective for people who stay active, post updates, and use its tools consistently. The next section takes a closer look at the main pros and cons so you can decide if it fits your goals.
Pros and Cons of LinkedIn Premium
Like any paid tool, LinkedIn Premium has clear advantages but also a few downsides depending on how you use it.
Understanding both sides can help you decide whether the upgrade truly fits your goals.
âś… Pros
- Direct communication: Send InMail messages to people outside your network.
- Better visibility: See who viewed your profile and how often your posts appear in searches.
- Useful insights: Access detailed data about job listings, companies, and applicants.
- Skill growth: Take unlimited LinkedIn Learning courses with certificates.
- Networking advantage: Stand out to recruiters and potential clients with a Premium badge.
These tools work best when you use them actively, reaching out, learning, and building connections regularly.
❌ Cons
- Cost: Monthly fees can add up, especially for long-term use.
- Feature overload: Many users don’t take advantage of everything included.
- Limited impact for casual users: If you only browse or post occasionally, the difference from the free plan may feel small.
- Results vary: Success depends more on activity and strategy than just having Premium.
While the benefits can be valuable, the results come from how you apply them in daily use. If you’re consistent, the return can be worth it.
The next section focuses on how to get the most out of LinkedIn Premium so you can turn those features into real progress.
How to Get the Most Out of LinkedIn Premium
Having LinkedIn Premium is one thing, but using it effectively is what brings real results. The platform rewards consistency, thoughtful networking, and genuine engagement.
Here are a few ways to make the most of your subscription:
Optimize your profile: Make sure your photo, headline, and summary clearly show who you are and what you do. A complete profile helps Premium features, like profile views and job insights, perform better.
Use InMail strategically: Don’t send generic messages. Personalize your outreach, mention shared interests, or refer to a company update. Focus on building a real conversation, not just a quick connection.
Track profile views: Check who’s viewing your profile and reach out to people who might be interested in your work or services. These small follow-ups can lead to new opportunities.
Learn continuously: LinkedIn Learning offers thousands of courses on business, marketing, and communication. Taking even one new course a month keeps your skills sharp and your profile more attractive to recruiters.
Engage with content: Like, comment, and share posts from people in your industry. The more active you are, the more visible your profile becomes in searches and recommendations.
Using these features together creates steady, organic growth that goes beyond the subscription itself.
The next section explains how Premium and organic visibility work hand in hand to build credibility on LinkedIn.
Boosting Your LinkedIn Visibility Organically
LinkedIn Premium can open doors, but your visibility still depends on how active and engaging your profile is.
The platform values consistent interaction more than subscriptions. A strong presence builds trust and helps every Premium feature work more effectively.
Here are a few simple ways to grow your reach naturally:
- Post updates regularly, even short insights or industry tips
- Respond to comments and keep conversations going
- Join relevant groups and participate in discussions
- Endorse others’ skills and request recommendations
- Share content that reflects your expertise and interests
If your posts rarely reach people, even with a complete profile, you might need a small push to help the algorithm notice your content.
A gentle way to do that is by increasing engagement early on. Buying authentic, gradual-delivery LinkedIn likes can help your posts gain initial traction and appear in more feeds, which then invites organic reactions from real users.
Consistency matters most. Combining steady posting habits with meaningful engagement makes both your free and Premium tools work better over time.
Final Thoughts
Is LinkedIn Premium worth it? It can be if you use it often and make the most of its features.
The extra insights, messaging tools, and learning resources help when you’re serious about growing your network or finding new opportunities.
If you’re not sure, try the free trial and see how it fits your goals. Track your results, stay active, and keep improving your profile.
Growth on LinkedIn doesn’t happen overnight, but small actions build momentum. Stay consistent, connect with purpose, and give your profile the visibility it deserves.
👉 Boost your presence today with authentic LinkedIn likes and real engagement to help your posts reach more people naturally.
