Founding of LinkedIn
LinkedIn was founded in December 2002 by Reid Hoffman and a team of co-founders from PayPal and Socialnet.com. The goal was to create a professional networking site to help people connect in the business world.
2002
2003
Launch of LinkedIn
LinkedIn officially launched on May 5, 2003. The platform quickly gained attention for its unique approach to professional networking, allowing users to create profiles and connect with colleagues and industry professionals.
2004
First Major Milestone
By the end of 2004, LinkedIn had reached 1 million users, marking its first major milestone in user growth.
2005
Introduction of Jobs and Subscriptions
LinkedIn introduced its first business lines, including job listings and subscriptions for premium services, offering enhanced features for job seekers and recruiters.
2006
Launch of Public Profiles
LinkedIn launched public profiles, allowing users to create professional profiles that could be viewed by anyone on the internet, significantly increasing visibility for professionals.
2007
Introduction of LinkedIn Answers
LinkedIn introduced LinkedIn Answers, a feature that allowed users to ask questions and receive answers from their network, enhancing community engagement and knowledge sharing.
2008
Reaching 30 Million Users
LinkedIn celebrated reaching 30 million users, demonstrating its growing influence in the professional networking space.
2009
Launch of Company Pages
LinkedIn introduced Company Pages, allowing businesses to create profiles, share updates, and engage with their followers, enhancing the platform's value for organizations.
2010
International Expansion
LinkedIn expanded its international presence by opening offices in India and launching localized versions of the platform in several languages.
2011
LinkedIn IPO
LinkedIn went public on May 19, 2011, with an initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange, raising significant capital for further growth and development.
2012
Acquisition of SlideShare
LinkedIn acquired SlideShare, a platform for sharing professional presentations, documents, and videos, enhancing its content sharing capabilities.
2013
Introduction of Influencers Program
LinkedIn launched the Influencers program, allowing industry leaders and experts to publish content directly on the platform, providing valuable insights to users.
2015
Acquisition of Lynda.com
LinkedIn acquired Lynda.com, an online learning platform, expanding its offerings to include professional development and educational resources.
2016
Microsoft Acquisition
Microsoft announced its acquisition of LinkedIn for $26.2 billion, integrating LinkedIn's professional network with Microsoft's suite of products and services.
2020
LinkedIn Reaches 700 Million Users
LinkedIn celebrated reaching 700 million users globally, solidifying its position as the leading professional networking platform.
2021
Introduction of LinkedIn Learning Hub
LinkedIn launched the LinkedIn Learning Hub, a comprehensive learning experience platform designed to help organizations develop their workforce and support lifelong learning.
2023
20th Anniversary of LinkedIn
LinkedIn celebrated its 20th anniversary, reflecting on two decades of connecting professionals and fostering career growth worldwide.
