- LinkedIn is testing a dedicated Network feed that prioritises posts from existing connections in selected markets.
- Digital business cards linked to mobile wallets are planned to make exchanging professional details easier at events and meetings.
- Creators are gaining content analytics tools, while In Stream Ads are being tested as an additional video monetisation option.
- Premium subscribers will be able to add private profile notes to remember conversations and manage professional relationships more effectively.
LinkedIn is expanding its range of networking and creator features as more professionals look for ways to build stronger business relationships, grow their personal brands and generate additional income. The Microsoft owned platform is developing new tools designed to make it easier for users to maintain professional connections, share their knowledge and turn their expertise into business opportunities.
The latest changes focus on improving the way people interact with their existing contacts while giving creators more options to manage their content and explore monetisation. LinkedIn is also working on digital business cards and additional advertising formats, signalling a broader effort to make the platform more useful for professionals, entrepreneurs and independent creators.
The move comes as more people explore side businesses alongside their primary jobs. LinkedIn has reported an increase in founders and members holding multiple positions, reflecting the changing nature of professional careers.
However, making a connection is only the first step towards building a valuable professional relationship. Many users still find it difficult to turn an initial introduction into meaningful conversations, collaborations or commercial opportunities. LinkedIn’s latest features aim to address that challenge.
LinkedIn tests a dedicated feed for existing connections
One of the most notable changes is a new Network feed designed to highlight posts from people users already know. Unlike the main LinkedIn feed, which brings together a broad selection of content, the proposed feature will focus on updates from existing connections.
The idea is to make it easier for professionals to keep up with colleagues, clients, business partners and other contacts without having to search through a busy stream of recommendations and posts from unfamiliar accounts.
For people who use LinkedIn regularly, this could make maintaining relationships more straightforward. A contact’s new role, business announcement or professional achievement could provide a natural reason to start a conversation. Over time, these small interactions can help turn a connection into a more meaningful working relationship.
LinkedIn is initially testing the Network feed in the US, UK, India and Australia. The company has not confirmed when the feature will become widely available.
The test reflects a broader challenge facing professional networking platforms. Building a large network is relatively easy, but keeping those connections active requires regular engagement. By giving existing contacts greater visibility, LinkedIn hopes to encourage more relevant conversations and help users get more value from their networks.
Digital business cards are coming to mobile wallets
LinkedIn is also preparing to introduce digital business cards that can be stored in supported mobile wallet applications. The feature is intended to make exchanging professional details more convenient, particularly at conferences, industry events, meetings and networking sessions.
Traditional business cards remain useful, but they can be misplaced or become outdated when contact details change. A digital alternative could offer a simpler way to share professional information and maintain connections after meeting someone in person.
Integrating these cards with mobile wallets would also make them easier to access without requiring users to navigate through the LinkedIn app every time they want to share their details.
The feature could be particularly valuable for consultants, founders, sales professionals and freelancers who frequently meet prospective clients or business partners. Having professional information readily available may help reduce friction when making new connections.
LinkedIn plans to roll out the digital business card feature globally in the coming months. Its success will depend partly on how easily users can access, share and save these cards across different devices and mobile wallet services.
The initiative also highlights LinkedIn’s interest in connecting online networking with real world interactions. Rather than serving only as a place to maintain a professional profile, the platform is looking to become a more practical tool for building relationships throughout a person’s working life.
Creator tools and advertising offer new earning opportunities
LinkedIn’s latest plans also target creators who use the platform to share professional knowledge, build an audience and develop their businesses.
The company is introducing a new dashboard to help creators manage their content and monitor important performance statistics. Better access to these figures could help users understand which posts attract attention, what resonates with their audience and where they might improve their content strategy.
For independent professionals, this information can be valuable when deciding what to publish and how to build a consistent presence. Creators who share industry insights, career advice or specialist knowledge may also use their content to attract clients, establish credibility and develop new commercial relationships.
Another development is the testing of In Stream Ads for video content. The format would provide an additional monetisation option for eligible creators by allowing advertising to appear within videos.
The feature is currently being tested with selected creators and advertisers in the US. LinkedIn has not announced a wider release schedule.
Video advertising could offer creators another way to generate revenue from their audiences, although its effectiveness will depend on factors such as audience engagement, advertising demand and the overall viewing experience.
For LinkedIn, the move could help make the platform more attractive to people producing regular video content. Giving creators additional ways to earn may encourage them to invest more time in developing professional content for the service.
The article’s headline refers to charging for expertise, but the specific changes described focus on creator analytics and video advertising. They do not confirm a universal new feature that lets every LinkedIn member directly charge users for sharing their knowledge.
Premium subscribers gain private profile notes
LinkedIn is also adding a feature for Premium subscribers that allows them to save private notes on other people’s profiles.
These notes could help users remember details about where they met a contact, what they discussed during a meeting or when they last spoke. For professionals managing a large network, such reminders could make follow ups more personal and effective.
For example, a consultant could record the topic of an initial conversation with a prospective client, while a recruiter might use notes to remember a candidate’s career goals. Sales teams and business development professionals could also benefit from having relevant context available when reconnecting with contacts.
The feature is intended to help users organise professional relationships without relying entirely on memory or separate note taking applications.
Taken together, LinkedIn’s planned updates suggest that the company wants to do more than help people discover new contacts. It is looking to make professional networking more useful after the initial connection, while giving creators additional tools to develop audiences and explore revenue opportunities.
The key question will be how effectively these features translate into everyday benefits. A dedicated feed could help users stay connected, digital business cards could simplify introductions, and creator tools could support audience growth. However, their long term value will depend on adoption, availability and whether they make professional interactions more meaningful.
For now, several of these changes remain in testing or are awaiting wider rollout. LinkedIn has outlined its direction, but users will need to wait for further announcements to learn when all the features will be available.
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