Immediately, as a part of Microsoft’s Q1 2024 replace, the tech big has as soon as once more reported that LinkedIn is seeing “report ranges of engagement” amongst its now 985 million members.

As you may see on this spotlight panel, general LinkedIn periods elevated 12% within the interval, reaching new report highs. Although I don’t know whether or not that’s correct, as a result of as I’ve famous repeatedly, LinkedIn has shared the very same “report ranges of engagement” abstract observe each quarter (besides one) since 2018.

I imply, I assume it might be seeing “report ranges” or engagement, relative to viewers progress. However it appears unlikely that each single quarter is reaching new highs, again and again.

I assume a part of that is additionally relative to that progress, in that extra customers would result in extra periods general, however that doesn’t imply that every member is utilizing the app extra usually. If LinkedIn, which has seemingly added 55 million extra members since Could, is seeing extra customers go browsing, that may result in a progress in combination periods. However that doesn’t essentially imply that it’s seeing extra engagement on a per-person foundation, making it barely deceptive.

Probably.

In any occasion, that 985 million consumer stat can also be suspect, as a result of the numbers in this map overview don’t add as much as 985 million.

The person stats listed on this map add as much as 723 million, and on condition that LinkedIn exited China again in Could, the place it had 59 million members, it appears uncommon that its progress momentum has not been impacted in any respect by the elimination of these 59 million profiles.

For context, right here’s what the LinkedIn map appeared like when it had 930 million members, with China included:

So, someway, LinkedIn has eliminated 59 million members, and that’s had no impression in any respect on its general member rely, and since then it’s added one other 55 million extra.

Or actually, it’s theoretically added 114 million new members, once you issue within the China elimination. So primarily based on LinkedIn’s reporting, it’s gone from including a mean of 69 million new members per yr during the last decade, to including 114 million in simply 5 months.

Yeah, that doesn’t appear proper, however that’s what LinkedIn’s going with.

So LinkedIn now has 985 million members (not customers, an vital distinction), and it’s nonetheless seeing “report ranges of engagement”.

Make of that what you’ll.

When it comes to key progress components, as you may see within the comparative maps above, nearly all of LinkedIn’s progress is coming from India, the place it’s added 10 million extra members (reportedly) since final report. India is now the platform’s second-biggest market by far, whereas it additionally added 8 million extra members within the U.S. (reportedly), and 4 million extra in Brazil (reportedly).

Microsoft says that LinkedIn membership progress has accelerated every quarter for 2 years in a row, with its newest increase in engagement coming because of its elevated implementation of AI, and expanded knowledge-sharing on the platform.

A part of that may be on account of its “Collaborative Articles” addition, which makes use of AI generated prompts to name on LinkedIn customers to share their experience on a given subject.

LinkedIn lately reported that over 1,000,000 professional contributions have been submitted through the format, which has helped to make it the platform’s fastest-growing visitors driver.

Microsoft additionally says that LinkedIn e-newsletter subscriptions proceed to develop, now exceeding greater than 450 million sign-ups globally (+3x year-over-year), whereas LinkedIn Premium subscriptions have additionally elevated 55% year-over-year.

And one other level of observe:

“Since introducing AI-assisted messages for recruiters 5 months in the past, three-fourths of them say it saves them time. And we’ve got seen an almost 80% improve in members watching AI-related studying programs this quarter.”

I imply, that is smart. With generative AI instruments taking off, extra professionals are actually trying to up their expertise, and present such off of their LinkedIn profiles. However it’s attention-grabbing to notice the engagement with AI-assisted messages in Recruiter, which may assist to streamline hiring and suggestions processes.

When it comes to income, LinkedIn’s 8% progress got here primarily from its Expertise Options arm, although it has additionally flagged a decline in bookings on account of a “weaker hiring atmosphere in key verticals”.

“Progress continues to be impacted by the general market environments for recruiting and promoting, particularly within the know-how business the place we’ve got vital publicity.”

On one other entrance, Microsoft has additionally reported that it’s now working to combine aggregated LinkedIn information into its new, AI-based “Abilities” component in Microsoft Viva, to supply extra perception for Microsoft enterprise clients in-stream. That’ll higher allow HR leaders to deal with expertise gaps, and be sure that their staff stay abreast of the newest business shifts.

So, general, is that this a great replace from LinkedIn?

I don’t know, as a result of as famous, I don’t assume that the reported complete member counts are correct, whereas the engagement stats don’t actually point out a lot with out relative consumer progress numbers factored in. However then once more, LinkedIn’s income has elevated, whereas it’s seeing good engagement with a few of its newer components.

So it looks as if LinkedIn is heading in the right direction, and that its AI focus, particularly, is driving extra curiosity.

Whether or not that’ll result in ongoing income success, nevertheless, will not be clear.