LinkedIn Ads

Introducing “A Brief History of Advertising on LinkedIn” (Infographic)

LinkedIn debuted on May 5, 2003. The professional networking platform, with its vision of “creating economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce,” has been through many changes since then — as this screenshot of the early LinkedIn homepage demonstrates.

Acquired by Microsoft in 2016, LinkedIn, has over the years built a business with many revenue streams:

Since the first advertisements ran on LinkedIn in 2005, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions — the division that enables marketers to reach their audiences with targeted messaging at scale — has undergone remarkable changes. LinkedIn Marketing Solutions allows marketers to reach their audiences via organic methods, such as LinkedIn Pages, and paid advertising options, such as LinkedIn Sponsored Content.

The infographic below demonstrates that the pace of changes is only accelerating. Here’s a cross-section of some of the biggest changes we’ve made to help marketers produce more effective campaigns on LinkedIn:

  • 2013: LinkedIn introduces Sponsored Content. These ads, which appear in the LinkedIn feed, remain the platform’s most popular.
  • 2014: LinkedIn acquires Bizo, which provides additional ad targeting technology.
  • 2016: LinkedIn Iaunches Account Targeting, which boosts the effectiveness of account-based marketing programs on the platform.
  • 2017: LinkedIn announced Lead Gen Forms, which increases conversions on mobile devices.
  • 2018: LinkedIn introduces Video Ads, which gives marketers more storytelling options on LinkedIn.
  • 2019: LinkedIn debuts interest targeting, lookalike targeting and more.

Take a look at the infographic and see for yourself how LinkedIn’s commitment to help marketers reach their audiences at scale continues to expand.

LinkedIn Ads History Timeline

See for yourself what LinkedIn Ads can do for your business. Visit LinkedIn Campaign Manager to start your own advertising campaign on LinkedIn today