LinkedIn Reports Steady Growth and Record Ad Revenue in Latest Quarter
Microsoft’s professional networking platform LinkedIn achieved $5 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time in Q4 2025, according to the company’s latest earnings update released January 28, 2026. The milestone reflects continued strength in advertising, particularly as brands increasingly leverage the platform’s professional audience for targeted campaigns.
CEO Satya Nadella highlighted “double-digit member growth” during the period, bringing LinkedIn’s total registered members to 1.3 billion worldwide. This figure includes sign-ups across more regions, though Microsoft does not disclose monthly or daily active user metrics. Independent estimates, based in part on EU Digital Services Act reporting requirements, suggest active usage in regulated markets hovers around 36% of members, implying a global active base of roughly 450–500 million users.
The earnings call omitted the long-running “record levels of engagement” that had appeared in nearly every quarterly update since 2018. Instead, Microsoft focused on revenue performance and advertising trends. Video ads saw 30% year-over-year growth, underscoring the rising popularity of dynamic content formats on the platform. LinkedIn’s advertising business benefits from its niche as a high-intent professional environment, attracting B2B marketers and recruiters who value thought leadership and expertise-driven targeting.
The platform has also gained visibility as a source for AI-powered search and chatbots, potentially increasing organic brand exposure when users post professional content. This aligns with broader industry shifts, where professional networks serve as trusted reference points for generative AI tools. LinkedIn’s growth occurs amid ongoing debates about user metrics in the social sector. While total membership provides a headline number, actual engagement remains harder to benchmark without disclosed active user data.
