Yes, LinkedIn offers a free Premium trial, but not to everyone. LinkedIn says eligibility depends mainly on whether you've used a Premium trial before, you need a valid card to start, and the trial rolls into a plan unless you cancel before it ends.
LinkedIn's older help page describes the trial as one month free, while its current page says the length can vary by region and promotion. So the honest answer is: sign in and LinkedIn will show you what you're eligible for. What doesn't vary is the set of rules around it, and a couple of them catch people out. Here's how the trial works, who gets one, and how to avoid losing it early.
Which LinkedIn free trials exist
LinkedIn's help centre lists these free trials:
- Premium Career
- Premium Business
- Premium All-in-One
- Premium Duo
- Premium Company Page
- A prospecting tool for business users
- Recruiter Lite
- LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn says you'll see which ones your account qualifies for after you log in. Its Premium page also notes that if you've used a profile trial in the last 12 months, you may still be able to try Premium for a Company Page.
The rules at a glance
| Rule | What LinkedIn says |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Not all members. It depends on factors including whether you've had a Premium trial before. |
| How long it lasts | Varies by region or promotion. LinkedIn's older help page says one month. |
| Card needed | Yes, a valid credit card to start. |
| Switching plans | You can't switch Premium plans for free during the trial. |
| At the end | It converts to a Premium plan unless you cancel first. |
| If you cancel | Premium access stops straight away, and you can't start another trial for at least 12 months. |
The catch most people miss: cancelling ends it now
With a normal Premium plan, LinkedIn says cancelling keeps your access until the end of the current cycle. A free trial works the other way. LinkedIn says that if you cancel a free trial, it ends immediately and you lose Premium features right away.
So if you want the full trial, don't cancel on day one to be safe. Put a reminder in your calendar a couple of days before the end date instead. LinkedIn says you need to cancel at least one day before the next scheduled date to avoid moving onto the plan.
Why switching plans mid-trial is a bad idea
LinkedIn says that if you switch to a different Premium plan during a free trial, you lose the free trial benefits of the original plan, the new plan starts straight away, and you can't switch back to regain the trial. Pick the plan that matches your goal before you start: Career for job hunting, Business for prospecting and networking, and so on.
How to start the trial
- Sign in to LinkedIn on desktop.
- Go to the Premium page and see which plans you're eligible for.
- Choose the plan you want to try and add a valid card.
- Note the end date and set a reminder a few days before it.
- Use the trial: LinkedIn lists who viewed your profile, InMail and job insights for job seekers, plus LinkedIn Learning courses.
Watch for the reminder email
LinkedIn says it sends a reminder to your primary email before the trial ends, but only if you started the trial on the LinkedIn desktop site. If you started it through Apple or Google, those stores may send their own notice instead. LinkedIn also says you won't get the email if your address has bounced or isn't confirmed, so check your email settings first.
The subject line may read Important notice about your LinkedIn Premium Free Trial, or something similar, so search your inbox and spam folder for that.
Can you get a second free trial?
Usually not soon. LinkedIn's trial rules say that if you're using or have used a free Premium trial, you may not be eligible for more, even if it's been more than 12 months. If you cancelled a trial, you're locked out of another for at least 12 months. If you do decide to stop, my guide on how to cancel LinkedIn Premium walks through each route.
Before you start a trial at all, make sure your profile is ready to be seen. My LinkedIn profile optimisation checklist is worth running first, because Premium mostly helps people find and judge your profile faster.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
What to do in the first week of your trial
A trial is only worth it if you use it. LinkedIn's help page lists what each audience gets: job seekers can see who viewed their profile, send InMail and get insights on job postings, business users can reach more prospects, and everyone can use LinkedIn Learning courses. So decide on one goal before you start, and put the first week into that.
- Job hunting: message a few recruiters with InMail and check who's viewed your profile each morning.
- Business: shortlist the prospects you'd most like to reach and contact them first.
- Skills: pick one LinkedIn Learning course and finish it inside the trial.
One timing detail helps too. LinkedIn says trial dates are based on the date and time you activated it, using local US time zones for US English members and UTC for everyone else, so cancel a day early rather than at the last minute.
My verdict: the LinkedIn Premium free trial is worth taking when you've got a clear job to do with it, like a job search or a prospecting push. Pick the right plan up front, don't cancel early, and set a reminder so the end date doesn't surprise you.
Frequently asked questions
Does LinkedIn Premium have a free trial?
Yes, for eligible members. LinkedIn says eligibility depends mainly on whether you've had a Premium trial before, and you'll see which plans you can try after you sign in.
How long is the LinkedIn Premium free trial?
LinkedIn says the length can vary by region or promotion. Its older help page describes it as one month free.
What happens if I cancel my LinkedIn free trial early?
LinkedIn says the trial ends immediately and you lose Premium features right away. You also can't start another free trial for at least 12 months.
Do I need a card for the LinkedIn Premium free trial?
Yes. LinkedIn says you must enter a valid credit card to start the trial, and it rolls into a plan unless you cancel first.
Can I switch Premium plans during the free trial?
Not without losing it. LinkedIn says switching ends the free trial benefits of the original plan, the new plan starts straight away, and you can't switch back to regain the trial.
Does LinkedIn remind you before the free trial ends?
LinkedIn says it emails your primary address before the trial ends if you started it on the LinkedIn desktop site. Apple and Google may send their own notices instead.
