Premium Trial Eligibility on LinkedIn

LinkedIn has become an indispensable platform for professionals worldwide, serving as a digital space for networking, career development, and business growth. While the basic LinkedIn account offers a robust set of features, LinkedIn Premium provides enhanced tools and insights designed to give users a competitive edge. For those curious about the added benefits, LinkedIn often offers free trials to experience the Premium features firsthand. However, understanding the eligibility criteria for these trials is crucial to avoid any confusion or disappointment.

This article delves deep into the intricacies of LinkedIn Premium trial eligibility, outlining who qualifies, the different types of trials available, key conditions, and what to expect during and after the trial period.

Who is Eligible for a LinkedIn Premium Trial?

Generally, LinkedIn offers free trials to users who haven’t previously subscribed to a Premium plan or haven’t used a free trial in a significant period. However, the exact eligibility can depend on several factors, and LinkedIn has recently clarified its stance on this. Here’s a breakdown of the key eligibility points:

• New Users or Infrequent Trial Users: The most straightforward path to a free trial is for new LinkedIn members who have never experienced Premium features. Additionally, users who had a Premium subscription or trial a long time ago might be eligible again. However, LinkedIn has specified that if you have used any free Premium trial before, you might not be eligible for any further free Premium subscriptions, even if it has been more than 12 months since your last one.
• Trial Availability Varies: LinkedIn explicitly states that “Free Trial eligibility is dependent on a wide range of variables, and not all LinkedIn users have free trial eligibility.” ¹ This means that even if you haven’t had a trial recently, you might still not be offered one due to other factors in LinkedIn’s internal algorithms.
• No Switching Between Trials: During an ongoing free trial, users typically cannot switch between different Premium plans (e.g., from Premium Career to Premium Business) for free. If you decide to switch, the free trial benefits of the original plan will likely be lost, and the billing cycle for the new plan will start immediately.

Types of LinkedIn Premium Trials

LinkedIn offers different tiers of Premium subscriptions tailored to various needs, and free trials are usually associated with specific plans:

• Premium Career: This plan is designed for job seekers, offering features like InMail credits to contact recruiters directly, enhanced visibility as a “Featured Applicant,” detailed insights into job postings (e.g., salary ranges, top skills), and access to LinkedIn Learning courses focused on career development.
• Premium Business: Aimed at professionals looking to grow their network and business, this plan includes more InMail credits, unlimited people browsing, extended “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” insights, and company information to understand hiring trends and employee growth.
• Sales Navigator Core: This plan is specifically for sales professionals, providing tools for lead generation, advanced search filters, lead recommendations, and real-time insights on accounts and leads. Free trials for Sales Navigator are also sometimes available.
• Recruiter Lite: Tailored for recruiters, this plan offers enhanced search filters for finding candidates, InMail credits for outreach, and candidate recommendations. Free trials for Recruiter Lite might also be offered.

When you are offered a free trial, LinkedIn will usually specify which Premium plan the trial applies to. Ensure that the features offered in that specific trial align with your current goals.

How to Check Your Trial Eligibility and Start a Trial

LinkedIn actively prompts users to try Premium with banners and notifications across the platform. Here’s how you can typically check for and start a free trial:

1. Look for Invitations: Keep an eye on your LinkedIn homepage, profile page, and even email inbox for invitations to try LinkedIn Premium for free.
2. Navigate to the Premium Page: You can usually find an option to “Try Premium” in the top navigation bar or on the left-hand side of your homepage. Clicking this will take you to a page outlining the benefits of the different Premium plans and often present an option to start a free trial if you are eligible.
3. Select a Plan (if applicable): If you are eligible for a trial of multiple plans, you might be asked to choose which one you’d like to try. Select the plan that best suits your needs.
4. Provide Payment Information: Even though it’s a free trial, you will typically need to provide your credit card or other payment details to activate it. This is because, upon the expiry of the trial period, the subscription will automatically convert to a paid one unless you cancel beforehand.
5. Confirm and Start Your Trial: Once you’ve provided the necessary information, confirm your choice to start the free trial. You should immediately gain access to the Premium features of the selected plan.

Important Conditions During the Free Trial

Be aware of the following key conditions that apply during your LinkedIn Premium free trial:

• Trial Duration: The standard free trial duration is usually one month (30 days) from the activation date. However, LinkedIn occasionally offers extended trial periods as part of promotions. Always check the specific duration mentioned when you sign up.
• Automatic Conversion to Paid Subscription: As mentioned earlier, unless you actively cancel your subscription before the end of the trial period, you will automatically be enrolled in a paid monthly or annual subscription based on the plan you selected.
• Billing and Cancellation Dates: The billing and cancellation dates are typically determined by the activation time. For US-based English-speaking members, these are often based on local US time zones, while other regions might follow Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). Pay close attention to the stated end date and time of your trial.
• Loss of Trial Benefits Upon Switching: If you decide to upgrade or change your Premium subscription plan during the free trial, you will likely lose the remaining free trial benefits of your original plan, and the billing for the new plan will commence immediately. You generally cannot revert to the original trial plan to regain those benefits.

What Happens After the Free Trial Ends?

If you do not cancel your LinkedIn Premium subscription before the free trial period concludes, your provided payment method will be automatically charged for the next billing cycle (either monthly or annually, depending on the chosen plan).

If you decide that LinkedIn Premium is not for you at this time, it’s crucial to cancel your subscription at least one day before the trial ends to avoid being charged. You can usually do this through your account settings under the “Subscriptions & Payments” section. Even after canceling, you will typically retain access to the Premium features until the official end date of the trial.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Users sometimes encounter issues related to LinkedIn Premium trials:

• Ineligibility Despite Expectations: As LinkedIn’s eligibility criteria can be complex and depend on various factors, you might not be offered a trial even if you believe you haven’t had one recently. In such cases, there isn’t much you can do except wait for a potential future offer.
• Forgetting to Cancel: This is a common issue. Set a reminder a few days before your trial ends if you don’t intend to continue with a paid subscription.
• Difficulty Canceling: While the cancellation process is usually straightforward through the account settings, some users might face technical glitches. If you encounter issues, try using a different browser or device, or contact LinkedIn’s customer support for assistance.
• Unauthorized Charges: If you believe you’ve been wrongly charged after canceling or without starting a trial, contact LinkedIn’s support immediately to investigate the issue and request a refund if applicable. While their general policy states that Premium subscriptions are non-refundable, exceptions might be made in cases of billing errors or unauthorized charges.

Alternatives to LinkedIn Premium

If you find that LinkedIn Premium doesn’t align with your current needs or budget, remember that the basic LinkedIn account still offers significant value for networking and career development. Additionally, there are alternative strategies and tools you can leverage:

• Effective Use of Basic Features: Maximize your profile optimization, engage actively in relevant groups and discussions, and strategically build your network using the free features.
• Networking Events: Attend industry-specific events and meetups (both online and offline) to build connections.
• Informational Interviews: Reach out to professionals in your field for informational interviews to gain insights and expand your network.
• Other Professional Platforms: Explore other platforms like industry-specific forums, professional associations, and even other social media platforms for networking and job opportunities. Some platforms like Reddit, Facebook groups, and X (Twitter) can also be used for professional networking in specific niches.
• Sales and Prospecting Tools: For sales professionals, there are various standalone sales intelligence platforms and prospecting tools like ZoomInfo, Seamless.AI, and Kaspr that might offer more targeted features than LinkedIn Sales Navigator, depending on your needs.

Conclusion

LinkedIn Premium trials offer a valuable opportunity to explore enhanced features that can aid in career advancement, business growth, and networking. By understanding the eligibility criteria, the different types of trials, and the conditions that apply, you can make the most of these temporary access periods. Remember to carefully consider your needs before starting a trial and to manage your subscription proactively to avoid unwanted charges. Whether you choose to continue with a paid subscription or stick with the basic account, LinkedIn remains a powerful platform for professionals in today’s digital age.