If you’re job hunting in North America, LinkedIn Premium can be useful for InMail, applicant insights, profile visibility, and LinkedIn Learning access. LinkedIn says Premium Career includes features like 5 monthly InMails, “Who’s viewed your profile,” applicant insights, AI-assisted profile help, and access to 21,000+ LinkedIn Learning courses.
Here are the real ways to get LinkedIn Premium or LinkedIn Learning for free in 2026, plus one important caution.
1. Use the Official LinkedIn Premium Free Trial
The most common option is LinkedIn’s official free trial. LinkedIn confirms that eligible members can try Premium for free, though eligibility depends on prior trial usage, the trial length can vary, and you must enter a valid credit card. LinkedIn also notes that the subscription auto-renews unless you cancel before the trial ends.
This is the cleanest option if:
- You’ve never used the trial before
- You want Premium Career features right away
- You can remember to cancel on time
2. Student Offer: Check Carefully Before Counting on It
A Microsoft promotion announced in January 2026 offered 12 months of Microsoft 365 Premium plus LinkedIn Premium Career to eligible college students. However, Microsoft’s own post now says the offer was fully claimed, and LinkedIn’s help page says the promotion is no longer available.
So yes, this was real, but it is not a reliable current option unless Microsoft launches a new version. If you’re a student, it’s still worth checking Microsoft’s official student offers page for new promotions.
3. #PlusOnePledge: Possible, but Unofficial and Inconsistent
Some LinkedIn users still share Premium passes or discounts under hashtags like #PlusOnePledge. There is historical evidence that LinkedIn distributed Premium passes in connection with the Plus One Pledge concept, but current offers are not guaranteed, and some posts are simply engagement bait rather than verified giveaways.
Treat this as a bonus possibility, not a strategy you should rely on.
4. Library Card Access: Free LinkedIn Learning, Not LinkedIn Premium
This is the workaround that many job seekers misunderstand.
Some public libraries in Ontario and other parts of Canada offer free LinkedIn Learning access with a library card. For example, Pickering Public Library and Ottawa Public Library both list LinkedIn Learning access for members, while Toronto Public Library offers other free eLearning services, though its current online courses page does not list LinkedIn Learning.
That means a library card may help you get courses, but not the full LinkedIn Premium Career subscription.
Why LinkedIn Premium Can Matter for Job Seekers
LinkedIn is where recruiters actively search for candidates, and Premium can help you understand who is viewing your profile and message hiring teams more directly. LinkedIn Recruiter itself is built to search LinkedIn’s network of more than 1 billion members.
1. It helps you understand the recruiter’s interest
Premium shows who viewed your profile, plus viewer trends and insights over time. That helps you tell whether your profile is attracting the right employers.
2. It gives you access to free courses for upskilling
Premium includes LinkedIn Learning, which offers thousands of courses you can use to strengthen your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job readiness in areas like Excel, project management, communication, and tech skills.
3. It helps you message people outside your network
Premium Career includes 5 InMail messages per month, which can be useful for contacting recruiters, hiring managers, or professionals at target companies when you are not yet connected. Premium also includes AI-assisted message drafting.
4. It gives you more job search visibility
Premium includes applicant insights, job match insights, and Top Applicant-style signals, which can help you prioritize where to apply and how to tailor your profile.
Stuti Got Found by a Recruiter in 5 Days
Why optimize LinkedIn at all?
In the MPM community, Stuti didn’t even apply for a job. Because her LinkedIn was optimized, a recruiter found her and reached out directly—and she landed a Project Coordinator job offer in 5 days.
Disclaimer: Individual outcomes vary based on experience, timing, market conditions, and role fit.
Need More Support? Explore MPM Job Hunt ELITE
If you want support with your LinkedIn profile, resume, outreach, and overall job search strategy, you can explore our winning stories and career support through the MPM community.
TL;DR
- The official LinkedIn Premium free trial is the most reliable free option.
- A library card may unlock LinkedIn Learning, but that is not the same as LinkedIn Premium Career.
- If you want recruiter attention, optimizing your LinkedIn profile often matters more than simply paying for Premium.
