LinkedIn has announced that it is going to officially retire the lite version of its platform – LinkedIn Lite – which was designed for users in data provisioned and connectivity restricted regions.
The History Behind LinkedIn Lite
LinkedIn Lite was originally launched back in 2017 as a means of providing equal access and accessibility for all members.
The pared-back version of the platform included the basic functionality of LinkedIn, with faster load times, and less intense data usage; handy for users in regions where restrictive data plans are the norm.
As great as it is to have a lite version of the app, LinkedIn continues to evolve, and LinkedIn Lite keep gets pushed further and further behind. With more advanced features being continuously added, such as full profile display features, Creator Mode and more – there has become a very clear disparity amongst the two tools.
Considering how global connectivity is growing, LinkedIn feels confident that it can move forward without the scaled-back variant of its app. The platform’s latest performance update is a testament to just that.
Overall Revenue Up 36%
According to Microsoft’s latest performance update, LinkedIn posted strong results for the quarter, including an overall increase in revenue of 36%, which is driven by increased demand for LinkedIn ads and a strong resurgence in the job market.
As said by Microsoft:
“We are experiencing a “Great Reshuffle” across the labor market, as more people in more places than ever rethink how, where, and why they work. In this new economy, LinkedIn has become mission critical to connect creators with their communities, job seekers with employers, learners with skills, and sellers with buyers.”
To put LinkedIn’s growth into perspective, when Microsoft acquired the platform in 2016, LinkedIn was sitting at around 430 million members. As of now, that figure has almost doubled, with more than 810 million people now using the app.
When Will LinkedIn Lite be Deactivated?
LinkedIn tells us that the LinkedIn Lite app will be removed from app stores on the 27th of January 2022, and be completely deactivated on the 15th of March 2022.
According to LinkedIn, it will transition Lite app users over to the full blown variant over the next few weeks.
