Could You Become A LinkedIn Influencer? Turns Out 16 million Of Us Are

It looks like LinkedIn is no longer just a digital resume board; it’s been slowly but surely shifting gears, welcoming a wave of content creators.

What was once a space for polished professional profiles and job updates has now become a place where users can share short videos, post memes, and even aim for viral success—just like TikTok and Instagram, but with a work-centric twist.

@hoskela

Since introducing “Creator Mode,” LinkedIn reports that creator accounts have surged, rising from 13 to 16 million in just one year, giving the platform a new lease of life.

“LinkedIn is no longer the buttoned-up network for job seeking; people and brands are now leading with more human messages to introduce themselves,” explains Beatriz Torres, an online publicist.

According to Torres, the shift started during the pandemic when remote work led users to share a more ‘personal side’ of their jobs. Now, the platform is a hotbed for discussions on everything from personal finance to mental health, opening the door for creators to build communities and establish influence.

MORE: Teens are using social media to diagnose themselves with mental health issues

DISCOVER: A quarter of women have lost friends after being promoted

One success story is María Begue, 28, who went from a regular user to LinkedIn influencer after she began sharing daily tips on personal branding.

With posts like “the resume is a thing of the past” and “write something on the internet every day,” she has attracted over 90,000 followers. (meanwhile her Instagram appears to be private.) Now, Begue earns her income through personalised advice and paid courses offered via her LinkedIn account, with her earnings ranging anywhere from $539 to $18,313 monthly, depending on demand.

On her LinkedIn profile she writes, “In 2021 I discovered my life purpose: Help people design the life they want to live. Since then I haven’t stopped. I haven’t stopped creating content, learning and teaching. Right now, through my newsletter, I am designing a community of nonconformists who are happy with what they have while building what they want.”

She goes on to say, “In this profile I write mainly about personal brand and mindset. Why personal brand? Because it is the most effective vehicle I have found for designing the life you want to live. Why mentality? Because you will never rise to the level of your goals, but rather you will fall to the level of your mindset. Mentality is the basis of everything.”

MORE: 80% of Men in Tech Believe There Is Gender Equality

DISCOVER: 71% of people edit their selfies

A big reason behind this shift? LinkedIn’s growing younger audience, many of whom grew up on Instagram and TikTok and are now entering the workforce.

“The generation that grew up using Instagram and TikTok is entering the labor market and naturally engages in content creation,” says Brendan Gahan, a LinkedIn marketing expert. The platform now offers a suite of creator-friendly tools, including lives, vertical videos, newsletters, and podcasts, all aimed at fostering more genuine interactions. According to Better Marketing, “About 10% of all LinkedIn users belong in the Gen Z category. They may not make up the majority, but their numbers are growing fast.” The site reveals that in 2021 there were “78 million global Gen Z’ers on LinkedIn.”

MORE: How is influencer culture fairing during the cost of living crisis?

DISCOVER: 5 inspiring career women podcasts

Even major companies are taking notice. According to LinkedIn Spain’s Virginia Collera, more CEOs and decision-makers are joining the platform, which is a draw for creators looking to connect with industry leaders. “The social network is increasingly being used by decision-makers at companies, which is an invitation to users to make themselves known,” she says.

For brands like Nvidia, Oracle, and Santander, LinkedIn provides a targeted space to connect with other companies, avoiding the Gen Z-heavy space of TikTok. Influencers are reaping the rewards, too. “If in 2020, a company was offering $1,077 per post, today the number could be double,” says influencer agency founder Jorge Branger.

MORE: The scientific reason you need to paint your home office green

DISCOVER: Is Social Media the Key to Keeping Cafe Culture Alive Post-Lockdown?

To keep up, LinkedIn has tweaked its algorithm to favour shares and comments over likes, a move that encourages engagement and meaningful conversations, unlike the ‘quick like’ culture on other platforms.

LinkedIn’s shift to a creator-friendly space offers a unique opportunity for professionals to share expertise and build brands, in a way that feels more interactive, personal and professional.

Prepare yourself for LinkedIn Influencers to become big business in 2025.