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LinkedIn history timeline

Explore the evolution of LinkedIn! From its launch in 2003 to becoming a powerhouse with over 800 million members, delve into its history with our visual timeline. Celebrate the platform that revolutionized professional networking and job hunting.

May 5, 2017

10 min read

Updated on July 29, 2022

On May 5, 2003, what was to become one of the largest and best-known companies in Silicon Valley in less than two decades was launched under the name of LinkedIn. Built as a business-oriented social network, it has now grown into a massively successful public company that generates billions of dollars in revenue and boasts more than 800 million members. As if anticipating the pivotal role that the online platform would play in bringing professionals worldwide together, founder Reid Hoffman dubbed the launching date as Cinco de LinkedIn.

To honor the business networking site that changed the way we find jobs, collaborators, or potential employees, we wanted to take a look back at how it all started and created this blog post, which includes a visual timeline that marks some of the major events in its evolution. Pinpointing landmarks such as the time LinkedIn was founded, its first month of profitability, its acquisition by Microsoft and 500M member milestone, the graphic also includes important product features released throughout the years, such as Groups (seen as one of the best ways to network on LinkedIn even to this day), or the popular “Who’s viewed your profile” feature.

LinkedIn history timeline

History of LinkedIn: a timeline

  • December 2002: LinkedIn is founded
  • May 5, 2003: LinkedIn’s official launch
  • August 2004: 1 million users reached
  • July 2005: LinkedIn’s “Groups” feature is added
  • August 2005: Business accounts are instated
  • April 2007: 10 million users reached
  • May 2007: “Profile views” feature is released
  • February 2008: LinkedIn’s mobile version is introduced
  • September 2008: Targeted advertising campaigns
  • December 2009: LinkedIn opens office in Mumbai, India
  • March 2010: International Headquarters set up in Dublin
  • August 2010: LinkedIn’s first acquisition, mSpoke
  • May 2011: Trading its first shares
  • July 2011: “Apply with LinkedIn” feature released
  • May 2012: LinkedIn acquires SlideShare
  • June 2012: First hacking attempt against the network
  • September 2012: LinkedIn introduces endorsements
  • October 2012: Kickstart of influencer program
  • April 2013: LinkedIn acquires Pulse
  • July 2003: Sponsored Updates ad service
  • February 2014: Bright.com acquisition
  • April 2014: LinkedIn expands in China
  • April 2015: Lynda.com acquisition
  • May 2015: Analytics tool integrated
  • October 2015: New mobile app is introduced
  • February 2016: 43.6% drop in shares in a single day
  • September 2016: LinkedIn’s Learning Solutions division is set up
  • November 2016: LinkedIn is banned in Russia
  • December 2016: LinkedIn’s acquisition by Microsoft
  • January 2017: Desktop website redesign
  • April 2017: 500 million users reached
  • November 2019: “Open for Business” feature launched for freelancers and SMEs
  • May 2020: “LinkedIn Events” launched to help organizations connect safely in real time
  • April 2021: False claim that 500 million LinkedIn accounts were leaked online
  • October 2021: Microsoft ends LinkedIn operations in China
  • February 2022: LinkedIn’s membership exceeds 830 million

Frequently asked questions about LinkedIn

If you want to go beyond our summarized LinkedIn history timeline and find out more, check out below the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the popular employment-oriented company.

About the LinkedIn history timeline

The LinkedIn history timeline was created in PowerPoint using the Office Timeline add-in and can be downloaded for free as a PowerPoint slide. To make quick edits to the graphic, we recommend using the free 14-day trial of Office Timeline. This tool can be of great help to users requiring advanced customization options and is ideal for building professional visuals and business presentations.

Tim is Co-Founder & CEO of Office Timeline, a Seattle-based start-up that aims to rid the world of boring, uninspiring meetings.

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