LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional social media platform, is eliminating 716 positions and discontinuing its jobs app, InCareer, in mainland China. The move comes in response to changing customer behavior, challenging macroeconomic climate, and decelerating revenue growth, according to CEO Ryan Roslansky.
These actions reflect broader trends among US tech companies, with Meta and Amazon announcing significant layoffs earlier this year. Despite these cutbacks, LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, will retain some presence in China, particularly to help companies hire and train employees outside the country.
LinkedIn entered the Chinese market in 2014 with a localized app version, but faced strong competition from local platforms like Maimai and increasing regulatory challenges. By 2021, LinkedIn had over 50 million members in China, making it the company’s third-largest market after the US and India.
In March 2021, LinkedIn had to suspend signups in China to ensure it was “in compliance with local law.” A few months later, it replaced that app with InCareer, which was focused solely on job postings, with no social networking features such as sharing or commenting.
How to use LinkedIn in China nowadays?
Access to LinkedIn can be restricted in China due to a variety of reasons. However, you can use a VPN to bypass the restriction in China and access LinkedIn. VPN is a tool for protecting people’s internet traffic and keeping their identities private online. Your internet traffic will go through an encrypted tunnel that nobody can see when you connect to a secure VPN server.
This is my way to access LinkedIn and I guess it’s probably the easiest way. Here are 3 steps.
Step 1: Choose the right VPN
The very first step for you is to find a VPN that can work in China. For this first step, a few things you need to be careful of.
- If you’re planning a trip to China and want to use a VPN to bypass the Great Firewall, not all VPNs are created equal. The Chinese government has gotten pretty good at blocking VPNs, so it’s important to do your research and find one that will actually work.
- Make sure to download and set up your VPN app and account before you go to China, because you won’t be able to download it once you’re there. And forget about downloading it directly from the provider’s website, because that’s blocked too.
- Before you head off on your trip, take some time to figure out what kind of VPN plan you need. I suggest going for a yearly or multi-year plan so you don’t get caught without access due to a forgotten renewal. But of course, it all depends on how long you’ll be staying in China.
Step 2: Turn on your VPN
After you’ve signed up for a VPN account and purchased a plan, you’re free to use your VPN! There are 2 crucial settings you need to know.
- Choose the right server: Normally, a VPN will provide users with 100+ servers from different countries. Because the network speed could be different by region, you need to test a bit to see which countries’ servers could give you the best network speed.
- Choose the right protocol: VPN protocols are sets of programs and processes that determine how that tunnel is actually formed. There will be a few protocol options for you to choose from in a VPN app.
Step 3: Enjoy LinkedIn
Once you have access to the internet on your phone or PC, you’re connected to a VPN, which should enable you to access the website linkedin.com, or download the LinkedIn apps without any problems. Well, It’s surely common to experience some interruptions with your connection, so I suggest you test out the best VPN servers for yourself.
If you’re still having trouble accessing LinkedIn or other blocked websites, you should contact your VPN’s customer support team for further assistance.
What is the best VPN for LinkedIn?
In China’s tightly controlled digital environment, PrivadoVPN emerges as a key player for those seeking unrestricted internet access. My experience with its robust features—from bypassing the Great Firewall to ensuring top-notch security and speed—highlights its effectiveness. Here’s a snapshot of why PrivadoVPN is a game-changer for internet users in China.
| Feature | My Experience with PrivadoVPN in China |
|---|---|
| Zero-Logs Policy | Absolute privacy is a must-have in China, and PrivadoVPN delivers. Knowing they don’t keep tabs on my browsing is peace of mind, especially with Switzerland’s top-tier privacy laws backing it up. |
| Global Network | Their network is a lifeline for bypassing China’s Great Firewall. Fast, secure, and reliable, it’s my go-to for unrestricted internet access here. |
| Streaming’s a Breeze | Even in China, PrivadoVPN cracks open access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. It’s my ticket to global content without hitting the censorship wall. |
| Speedy Gonzalez | The speeds I get with PrivadoVPN in China defy expectations. Streaming, downloading, or just browsing—there’s no lag, no buffering, just smooth internet. |
| Apps for Days | No matter the device, setting up PrivadoVPN has been hassle-free. Getting my entire network covered via my router was also a straightforward affair. It’s essential for comprehensive security in China. |
| P2P’s Best Friend | Sharing files peer-to-peer can be tricky in China, but PrivadoVPN keeps it smooth and speedy on both free and premium plans. The SOCKS5 Proxy is a game-changer for faster speeds. |
| Top-Notch Security | The level of security PrivadoVPN offers, with protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, means I can browse with confidence, knowing my data’s locked down tight from prying eyes. |
| Connect All The Things | Having up to 10 devices connected is a blessing, ensuring all my gadgets are safe. Even on the free plan, the one connection offered is invaluable here. |
| Help Around the Clock | Whenever I’ve hit a snag or had questions, even considering the time difference, PrivadoVPN’s support has been there, ready to assist. It’s like having an expert in your corner, anytime, anywhere. |
| Pay Your Way | In a place where financial privacy is paramount, the option to pay with crypto is a huge plus. But it’s great that traditional payment methods are still in play for convenience. |
| Try It, You’ll Like It | The 30-day money-back guarantee made trying PrivadoVPN in China a no-risk decision. It’s comforting to know there’s an out if it didn’t meet my needs, but spoiler alert: it did. |
How is LinkedIn China nowadays?
LinkedIn, a social media platform owned by Microsoft, is discontinuing its InCareer job application service in China starting August 9th, citing fierce competition and a challenging macroeconomic climate. This announcement came alongside news of the company laying off 716 employees, affecting LinkedIn’s China operations and other global departments.
LinkedIn’s remaining business in China will concentrate on assisting local companies to access its talent and learning programs. This decision is made amidst a slowdown in hiring, particularly in the tech sector, due to China’s economic recovery from COVID-19 pandemic controls and regulatory crackdown on the sector.
In 2014, LinkedIn introduced a localized version of its platform in China, complying with Chinese content regulations. It was among the few foreign social media platforms permitted to operate in the country. However, by October 2021, LinkedIn discontinued its content publishing and social networking functions, favoring a stripped-down application focusing solely on job applications due to increasingly challenging operating conditions and stricter compliance requirements.
This move reflects a broader retreat by Western tech companies from China, as companies like Yahoo, Amazon’s Kindle, and Airbnb have also announced their withdrawal from Chinese markets. Despite its focus on job applications, LinkedIn faced intense competition from local Chinese counterparts.
