LinkedIn Pinpoint: How the Word Game Works and How to Guess in Fewer Clues

Pinpoint is the one LinkedIn game where speed isn't the point. What matters is how few clues you need. Guessing on the first clue is the dream, and you get closer to it once you have a feel for how the categories work.

Here's what LinkedIn's help page says about playing, plus some practical ways to guess sooner.

How a round works

1. Open Pinpoint from the Games hub, the My Network page or LinkedIn search.
2. Tap Start game. Your first clue is revealed.
3. Type your guess in the Guess the category field.
4. Press Enter or tap Guess.
5. If you're wrong, the next clue appears. Keep going until you get it or run out of clues.

Winning, losing and the five-clue limit

What happens	Result
You guess the category correctly	You win and the answer is shown
You guess wrong	The next clue is revealed
You use all five clues without a correct guess	You lose and the answer is shown

The aim, in LinkedIn's words, is to identify the category with as few clues as possible. So a win on clue two beats a win on clue four.

What LinkedIn doesn't tell you

The help page doesn't explain how close your wording has to be to count. It doesn't say whether spelling slips are forgiven or how similar a guess needs to be. Because of that, I'd keep guesses short and plain. 'Types of fruit' gives you a better chance than a clever, wordy phrase that might not match.

How to guess in fewer clues

• Ask what kind of list the word could belong to, not what it means. A single word can sit in several categories.
• Think of common ways words are grouped: things that come before or after a word, types of something, parts of something, famous names, or words hidden inside other words.
• On clue one, guess anyway if you've got a decent idea. A wrong guess only uses up the clue you were about to see.
• With two or three clues on screen, look for what they share and what rules out your first idea.
• Use plain category names. Shorter is usually safer.

If you like this kind of game, I've rounded up word puzzle games that give your brain a workout.

Thinking in lists, an example

Imagine the first clue is a word like 'Mercury'. It could be a planet, a chemical element, a Roman god or Freddie's surname. Rather than locking onto the meaning that came to mind first, run through the lists it could belong to. If you've got a hunch, guess the most common one. If the second clue is another planet name, you're nearly home; if it's another element, switch lists. That habit of asking 'which list?' rather than 'what does it mean?' is the single biggest change most players can make.

Why a wrong guess isn't wasted

In Pinpoint, a wrong guess simply moves you on to the next clue, which you'd have needed anyway. So guessing early uses up nothing you weren't going to see anyway. Most of the time, having a go on clue one or two is the right call.

Your score and streak

When the game ends, LinkedIn shows your score against averages for all members, your company, CEOs and others. Your streak and game analytics sit in the streak module, where you can also set a reminder for the next puzzle. If you're eligible, you'll see where your company or school ranks, and there's a daily post to compare answers.

When the puzzle changes

A fresh Pinpoint arrives every day at midnight Pacific Time and the old one expires at the same time, so you can't play a puzzle you missed. In the UK that's early morning, which makes it a handy first-coffee game.

Playing as a guest

You can play without a LinkedIn account. A guest score is deleted after 30 minutes, and you can't keep a streak or see leaderboards. Sign in before the half hour is up and LinkedIn keeps it.

Pinpoint on a busy morning

Because there's no grid to work through, Pinpoint is the quickest of the daily games to finish. It's a good one to play when you've only got a minute or two, and it pairs nicely with a longer puzzle like Queens or Crossclimb later in the day if you're keeping more than one streak going.

Where to find Pinpoint

It's in the Games hub and on the My Network page, under Today's Games in LinkedIn News on desktop, in the side panel of the mobile app, and in LinkedIn search. You can also turn on optional notifications for new puzzles if you want a nudge each morning.

Sharing your result without giving it away

LinkedIn lets you share your score with connections after you play. If you do, say how many clues you needed rather than the category itself, so you don't spoil it for anyone still playing that day. It's also a nice, light way to start a chat with someone you've been meaning to message on LinkedIn.

My advice

Guess early, keep guesses short and think in lists rather than meanings. If the first clue gives you even a hunch, try it, because a wrong answer only reveals the next clue. That's how you get the low scores people love to share.

For the rest of the series, see the LinkedIn Help: 28 Guides to Profile Views, Impressions, Algorithm and Account Fixes.

Frequently asked questions

How does LinkedIn Pinpoint work?

You see one clue at a time and try to guess the category that links them. You get five clues, and each wrong guess reveals the next.

How many clues do you get in Pinpoint?

Five. If you use all five without a correct guess, you lose and the answer is shown.

What happens if you guess wrong in Pinpoint?

The next clue is revealed. Running out of clues ends the game.

How close does my Pinpoint guess need to be?

LinkedIn's help page doesn't say how guesses are matched, so short, plain category names are the safest bet.

When is the new Pinpoint released?

Every day at midnight Pacific Time, when the previous puzzle expires.

Can I play Pinpoint without a LinkedIn account?

Yes, as a guest, but the score is deleted after 30 minutes unless you sign in.