What Is LinkedIn Learning? Courses, Cost, and How to Access It
LinkedIn Learning is an online video learning platform that offers more than 16,000 courses taught by industry professionals and subject matter experts. It covers three main subject areas: business skills (leadership, project management, marketing, finance), technology (programming, data science, cloud computing, cybersecurity), and creative skills (graphic design, video production, photography, UX design).
LinkedIn acquired Lynda.com in 2015 and rebranded it as LinkedIn Learning in 2016. The platform is deeply integrated with LinkedIn profiles – completed courses and earned certificates appear directly on your LinkedIn profile, adding credibility and keyword signals for recruiters searching for your skills.
How to Access LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is included free with all LinkedIn Premium subscriptions (Career, Business, Sales Navigator, and Recruiter plans). It is also available as a standalone subscription at approximately .99/month or .99/month billed annually.
Some organizations provide access to LinkedIn Learning through enterprise licenses, so check with your employer’s HR or L&D team before purchasing a personal subscription.
A limited number of free courses are available without a subscription, and LinkedIn periodically makes select courses available at no cost to all users.
LinkedIn Learning Certificates and Profile Integration
When you complete a LinkedIn Learning course, you receive a certificate that can be added directly to the Licenses and Certifications section of your LinkedIn profile with one click. These certificates show up in recruiter searches and add endorsement-weight to the skills listed on your profile. They are particularly valuable for early-career professionals building a skills portfolio and for anyone demonstrating continuing education in a technical field.
What LinkedIn Learning Is Best For
- Learning specific software tools (Excel, Salesforce, Adobe Creative Suite, Python)
- Developing leadership and management skills
- Preparing for job interviews or career transitions
- Earning certifications that reinforce your profile keyword authority
- Onboarding new skills required for a current role
- Quick, focused skill-building (most courses are 1-3 hours)
LinkedIn Learning vs. Other Online Learning Platforms
- vs. Coursera/edX – LinkedIn Learning courses are generally shorter and more practical; Coursera and edX offer more academic depth and university credentials.
- vs. Udemy – Udemy has a larger course catalog at lower individual prices; LinkedIn Learning has tighter quality control and better LinkedIn integration.
- vs. Skillshare – Skillshare focuses more on creative skills; LinkedIn Learning covers a broader professional range.