LinkedIn Cuts 875 Jobs to Fuel Long-Term Growth and Agility

LinkedIn CEO Daniel Shapero has shared in a company memo how he plans to cut roles across its global workforce as part of a broader realignment aimed at long-term growth and efficiency. 

While the reductions are estimated to impact about 875 positions – approximately 5% of staff – a LinkedIn spokesperson disputed the 5% figure without providing an alternative number, characterising the move as “organisational changes” to position the brand for “future success.”

Daniel wrote that LinkedIn needs to “reinvent how we work, with agile teams focused on our highest priorities, and by shifting investments toward areas such as infrastructure to fulfil our mission and vision over the long term.” 

He added that the company will scale back spending on marketing campaigns, vendor contracts, customer events and underutilised office space so it “can focus teams on priorities that have the broadest impact with the highest ROI.”

Balancing growth with efficiency

The cuts come as LinkedIn reported 12% year-on-year revenue growth in its most recent quarter. 

Company representatives said the decision is not tied to AI replacing roles but is intended to drive profitability while prioritising infrastructure investments.

A follow-up memo from the firm’s Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer Jessica Jensen says LinkedIn will “embrace new AI-enabled tools and workflows” to make human work go “further, faster.” 

Strategic realignment and industry trends

Jessica also highlights a reduction in paid media spend, a more refined geographic focus on the US and the UK, LMS growth, advances in agentic hiring solutions, and momentum in premium and small business offerings.

LinkedIn’s moves track a broader industry pattern where tech firms continue restructuring even amid growth. 

Cisco announced an AI-driven restructuring plan that could affect around 4,000 jobs, while Coinbase and Block cited AI-related productivity gains in explaining layoffs in early 2026.

Parent company Microsoft has also tightened costs and adjusted structures recently, offering voluntary retirement buyouts to some long-serving US employees while increasing spending on AI infrastructure.

“While I know that this level of change can bring a sense of uncertainty, it can also clarify our purpose,” Daniel says.

“The world needs LinkedIn now more than ever, and while these are hard choices to make, they focus our work for our short and long-term impact.”