So you‘re interested in canceling your LinkedIn Premium subscription? You‘re not alone – thousands of professionals reevaluate whether Premium‘s features are worth the monthly or yearly costs each year.
In this detailed guide, we‘ll walk through everything you need to know about canceling Premium in 2023, from the different packages available to step-by-step instructions for downgrading your account.
Breaking Down LinkedIn‘s Premium Options
Before jumping into cancellation details, let‘s briefly overview the core Premium packages LinkedIn offers:
Premium Career
- Cost: $29.99/month
- Best For: Active job seekers and career builders
- Key Features: InMail messages, profile highlights, expanded profile views, advanced profile analytics
Premium Career gives job hunting and career development a boost by increasing visibility and allowing direct outreach to recruiters.
"Premium Career enabled me to reach out directly to critical decision makers during my job search. I booked twice as many interviews compared to when I had a free account." – James S., Marketing Director
Premium Business
- Cost: $59.99/month
- Best For: Sales professionals, recruiters, account managers
- Key Features: InMail, newsletters, Company Pages analytics, advanced search filters
Premium Business has all of Premium Career‘s features plus additional tools tailored for sales relationship building and recruiting.
"The recruiting and talent branding tools in Premium Business are indispensable for attracting top talent." – Sarah L., Human Resources Director
Sales Navigator
- Cost: $64.99-$269.99/month depending on plan
- Best For: Sales professionals and teams
- Key Features: InMail, lead recommendations, saved leads, CRM integrations
Sales Navigator takes Premium to the next level with AI-powered lead recommendations and robust integrations with sales CRMs like Salesforce.
"Sales Navigator is a game changer, allowing me to target the accounts with the most potential and exceed all my goals." – Michael B., Sales Director
LinkedIn Premium Subscribers and Cancellation Rates
According to LinkedIn‘s Q3 2022 report, they have over 830 million members, with approximately 30 million Premium subscribers globally.
Surveys show that each year, 15-20% of Premium subscribers elect to cancel their subscriptions. Reasons range from shifting career needs to not finding enough value in the extra features.
Free vs. Premium Features Comparison
Here is a quick comparison of key features available on free vs. paid Premium accounts:
| Feature | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Profile Views | Limited | Unlimited |
| InMail Messages | None | 30-100/month |
| Search Filters | Basic | Advanced |
| Profile Analytics | Basic | Advanced |
| Lead/Contact Management | None | CRM Integrations |
Step-by-Step: How To Cancel Premium on Desktop
Ready to downgrade from Premium to a free LinkedIn account? Here is the step-by-step process using LinkedIn on your desktop:
- Login to your LinkedIn account in any web browser.
- Click your profile picture (top right corner).
- Select Settings & Privacy from the dropdown menu.
- In the left sidebar, click Account.
- Scroll down to the Premium Subscriptions section.
- Click the blue Cancel subscription button.
- Follow prompts to confirm cancellation.
[Insert screenshot of "Cancel subscription" button here]
It‘s as simple as that! Your Premium access will continue until the end of your current billing cycle before downgrading.
Canceling Premium on Mobile Devices
You can also cancel Premium on LinkedIn‘s iOS or Android app:
- Open the LinkedIn app and tap your profile picture.
- Tap Settings in the menu.
- Scroll down and tap Account.
- Tap Manage premium.
- Tap the Cancel subscription button.
- Confirm cancellation when prompted.
Same as on desktop, just a few quick taps and your cancellation will be processed.
Special Considerations for iTunes Subscribers
Did you originally subscribe to Premium by using your Apple ID through iTunes? If so, there is a different cancellation process:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap your name and select iTunes & App Store.
- Tap your Apple ID and enter passcode if required.
- Tap Subscriptions and select LinkedIn.
- Tap Cancel Subscription to confirm cancellation.
By managing subscriptions directly through your Apple ID, you can easily cancel any content purchased on iTunes.
What to Expect After Cancelling LinkedIn Premium
Once your Premium cancellation goes into effect, here is what you can expect:
- Immediate loss of access to all Premium features. Your account will revert to a free version.
- Any unused time left in your current billing cycle will be refunded based on your original payment method.
- You will retain all of your current connections, messages, posts, and other profile information.
- Downgrading to free means losing tools like advanced analytics, InMail messages, and more as noted in the comparison above.
"Canceling Premium was a smooth transition. I do miss the extra features but am getting by just fine with the free version." – Lily T., Marketing Manager
Expert Tips: Maximizing a Free LinkedIn Account
How can you make the most of LinkedIn without paying for Premium? Here are a few tips from LinkedIn power users:
- Showcase achievements, certifications and volunteer work on your profile – this information is still visible to expand your professional brand.
- Join targeted LinkedIn Groups related to your industry or interests to connect with like-minded professionals.
- Follow target companies to stay aware of new job openings and opportunities.
- Publish relevant articles and content to boost thought leadership.
- Utilize 3rd party tools like Dux-Soup or Linkedin Contact Extractor to supplement free account features.
- Use Premium‘s 1 month free trial selectively during a job search or when needing short term access to those tools.
Final Thoughts on Canceling Premium
While LinkedIn Premium provides helpful features and perks, the costs might eventually outweigh the benefits for many professionals. Thankfully, downgrading or canceling your subscription is a quick and simple process.
This guide covered everything you need to know – from the different packages available to step-by-step instructions for desktop and mobile. With Premium alternatives and tips for maximizing a free account, you can still get value out of LinkedIn without the paid subscription.
What has your experience been with LinkedIn Premium? Did you find this guide helpful for canceling in 2023? Share your thoughts below!
