What is LinkedIn Premium? Key Features, Benefits, and Price

If you have ever searched for a job, networked with professionals, or researched companies, chances are you have used LinkedIn. But at some point, you probably noticed the “Try Premium Free” button or got curious about what is LinkedIn Premium and what it actually includes. I have been there too, asking myself, “What am I really getting if I upgrade?” 

In this blog post, I will walk you through everything I have learned. Whether you are a job seeker, a recruiter, a freelancer, or a business owner, I will help you figure out whether LinkedIn Premium fits your goals and if the benefits justify the cost.

LinkedIn Premium is a subscription based upgrade to the free version of LinkedIn. It gives you access to enhanced tools and insights that are designed to help you get more out of the platform, unlike the basic features, like LinkedIn Games, which are available for free.

Whether you are using LinkedIn to find a job, hire talent, generate leads, or grow your professional brand, Premium aims to remove limitations and offer data that the free plan does not provide.

From the ability to message anyone to seeing who has viewed your profile, LinkedIn Premium is packed with features I found surprisingly useful.

Before getting into benefits and pricing, it is important to understand that LinkedIn Premium is not a one size fits all service. There are multiple tiers, each to a specific type of user. Here is a quick overview.

• LinkedIn Premium Career: This plan is ideal for job seekers. If you are actively looking for new opportunities or want to an notice by recruiters, Premium Career gives you the tools to stand out.
• LinkedIn Premium Business: If you are using LinkedIn to grow your business, connect with clients, or build thought leadership, the Business plan offers broader insights and communication tools.
• LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Designed specifically for sales professionals, this plan helps you find leads, track prospects, and build deeper customer relationships.
• LinkedIn Recruiter Lite: This one is for hiring managers and recruiters. It provides powerful tools to discover, contact, and manage candidates more efficiently.

Each plan offers a slightly different experience, but several features are shared across all Premium tiers. Let me help you go through them, based on my own use and what I have seen others benefit from.

1 – InMail Messages

You can message people outside your network!

This is probably one of the most valuable features I have used. InMail lets you send direct messages to people you are not connected with. If you are trying to land a job or pitch a business service, this is a game-changer.

2 – Who Viewed Your Profile

See exactly who has been checking you out!

On the free version of LinkedIn, you only get a limited view of who visited your profile. With Premium, you get a full list of viewers for the past 90 days, plus trends and analytics. I found this helpful for identifying warm leads or recruiters showing interest.

3 – Advanced Search Filters

Narrow down your search with precision!

If you are in sales, recruitment, or serious networking mode, advanced filters let you find the exact kind of professionals you’re targeting. You can filter by company size, seniority level, years of experience, and more.

4 – Learning Courses (LinkedIn Learning)

Access hundreds of professional courses!

Premium gives you unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning, which is packed with expert-led video courses on topics like leadership, data analytics, SEO, and communication. I have used this to upskill on the go, and honestly, it is like having a mini MBA.

5 – Job Insights and Applicant Data

Get a deeper view of job listings!

When you apply for jobs using LinkedIn Premium Career, you get valuable insights like how you stack up against other applicants, what skills you are missing, and who posted the job. That inside scoop can give you a major edge.

6 – Open Profile

Make yourself more discoverable!

This feature allows anyone on LinkedIn, even those without Premium, to message you. If you are job hunting or building a personal brand, being open to messages increases your visibility significantly.

Since the platform serves different professionals, I want to break down what you get from LinkedIn Premium based on how you are using it.

• For Job Seekers: If you are actively applying for jobs or hoping to get noticed by recruiters, Premium Career offers some serious perks.
• Priority Applicant: When you apply through LinkedIn, Premium users are often prioritized in the applicant pool, which makes it easier to get noticed.
• Resume Insights: LinkedIn gives you personalized feedback on your resume based on the jobs you are applying for. I have found it super useful for tweaking mine and getting better results.
• Interview Preparation: The platform includes common interview questions and tips based on the job title. It is like having a mini coach in your pocket.

1. For Business Professionals

If you are trying to grow your business or personal brand, Premium Business can give you deeper market intelligence.

• Company Insights: You will get access to valuable business data, including company growth, hiring trends, and decision-maker profiles.
• Unlimited People Browsing: Unlike the free version, which limits how many profiles you can view, Premium Business removes that cap. This is huge if you are doing outbound outreach.
• Growth Metrics: Business Premium helps you track engagement and visibility trends, which is key if you are trying to position yourself as a thought leader.

2. For Sales Professionals

Sales Navigator is where LinkedIn really shines for lead generation and relationship building.

• Advanced Lead Recommendations: Sales Navigator uses AI to find potential leads based on your ideal customer profile. It saves you hours of manual searching.
• CRM Software Integration: You can integrate Sales Navigator with tools like Salesforce and make it easier to keep your contacts organized and up to date.
• Lead Alerts: Real time alerts let you know when a lead takes action. This opens up timely conversation opportunities.

Now comes the big question: how much is LinkedIn Premium? The answer depends on which plan you choose. Let me break it down clearly.

• LinkedIn Premium Career Price: This starts at $29.99 per month. It is perfect if you are job hunting or want more visibility and insights.
• LinkedIn Premium Business Price: This plan starts at $59.99 per month. It’s for those looking to expand their business network or perform more strategic outreach.
• LinkedIn Sales Navigator Price: Sales Navigator starts at $99.99 per month and goes up depending on team size and features. It is more advanced and focused on lead generation.
• LinkedIn Recruiter Lite Price: This plan begins at $170 per month for a single license. It is designed for recruiters who need robust sourcing tools but not the full enterprise level suite.

This is the ultimate question, right? In my experience, the answer depends entirely on what you want to achieve. If you are actively looking for a job, the career insights and InMail access alone might be worth the investment. 

Additionally, if you are a freelancer or a business professional trying to grow a network or find clients, the ability to reach beyond your connections and get deeper company insights can be a game-changer. 

And for sales professionals and recruiters, LinkedIn Premium is not just worth it – it is essential. Personally, I have found the biggest value in being able to message people I would not otherwise have access to.

Just one quality conversation or job lead can more than justify the monthly cost.

So, that’s all about what is LinkedIn Premium. In simple words, it is not for everyone, but if you are serious about advancing your career, expanding your business, or strengthening your professional network, it can be an incredibly powerful tool. The added features help you get seen, get smarter, and get connected faster.

My suggestion? Try the free trial, explore the tools, and see how they align with your goals. You do not have to stick with it forever, and you can cancel LinkedIn Premium anytime. But even a few months of strategic use can give you a serious advantage in today’s competitive market.