You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.Is LinkedIn Entering Its Post-Cringe Era?A few months ago, I opened my LinkedIn account to stalk an old colleague. What I saw surprised me:A video interview with Lisa Rinna, the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star, giving career adviceA day-in-the-life video of a man’s morning commute, sponsored by a podcast companyA writer ranting about A.I.A founder of a data platform raving about A.I.A selfie from a stranger announcing that his father had diedI put stalking to the side as a different thought arose: Was LinkedIn getting more interesting?The platform began in 2003 with the mission of “connecting the world’s professionals.” In the years since, users have relied on it to network, stay up-to-date with job listings and share their résumés. As on other social networking sites, users could post thoughts, links and photos, though the focus was decidedly on careers.That hasn’t changed, at least according to the people who help run the site. LinkedIn is not trying to be a “normal social media network,” said Daniel Roth, its editor in chief. “The idea is: help people connect to economic opportunity.”LinkedIn would not disclose the number of users who are active monthly, unlike some social media platforms. But a 2026 survey by Statista, a market data and research company, reported that 18 percent of about 60,000 people used the site regularly — far below the amount of regular users on Instagram but on par with Reddit.Still, browsing LinkedIn today can turn up the kind of videos, sponsored content and memes reminiscent of other media platforms. Has all this expanded its appeal, or undermined its central mission?Either way, the platform is inarguably huge; since 2020 it has doubled its membership to over 1.3 billion users, and has raised its revenue to more than $19 billion annually, the site said. Video content is growing on the site, and 18- to 29-year-olds are its fastest growing demographic.“Few places are structured around the ‘official life story’ the way that LinkedIn is,” said Bernie Hogan, an associate professor at the Oxford Internet Institute, adding that the site is a “welcome environment” for people who are highly focused on their careers. (Some users say the site’s lack of anonymity distinguishes it from other parts of the internet. Over 100 million users are now verified.)Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe.AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENT