LinkedIn has undergone multiple rounds of layoffs as part of Microsoft's broader workforce restructuring. In 2025 alone, LinkedIn cut 281 jobs primarily in engineering and recruiting roles, with further cuts expected as the company shifts toward AI-integrated operations.

Key Takeaways

2025 layoffs: 281 LinkedIn employees cut in June 2025, primarily in engineering and recruitment
Part of larger cuts: Microsoft reduced ~6,000 jobs company-wide, including LinkedIn positions
Geographic impact: Most affected roles were in California—Mountain View, San Francisco, and Sunnyvale
Strategic shift: Cuts reflect LinkedIn's pivot toward AI tools and away from human-intensive processes
2026 outlook: Additional restructuring expected as AI integration continues

LinkedIn Layoffs Timeline

June 2025: 281 Employees

According to The HR Digest, LinkedIn cut 281 positions in June 2025, with the following breakdown:

Location	Employees Affected
Mountain View, CA	159
San Francisco, CA	60
Sunnyvale, CA	23
Carpinteria, CA	11
Remote (California)	28

Part of Microsoft's Broader Cuts

These LinkedIn layoffs were part of Microsoft cutting approximately 6,000 employees company-wide—around 3% of its global workforce. According to Fast Company, this represented Microsoft's largest reduction since 2023.

Previous Rounds (2023-2024)

LinkedIn has faced several rounds of cuts in recent years:

2023: Part of Microsoft's 10,000-employee reduction
2024: Smaller performance-based layoffs
2025: Structural cuts focused on engineering and recruiting

Why Is LinkedIn Laying Off Employees?

According to Industry Leaders Magazine, several factors drive LinkedIn's workforce reductions:

1. AI Integration

Microsoft is aggressively integrating AI across its products, including LinkedIn. This means:

Automated features replacing some human-managed tasks
AI-powered recruiting tools reducing need for manual processes
Copilot integration changing how users interact with the platform

2. Cost Optimization

Like most tech companies, LinkedIn is focusing on operational efficiency:

Streamlining teams to reduce redundancy
Reallocating budget toward AI development
Improving profit margins per employee

3. Platform Evolution

LinkedIn's product direction is shifting:

Greater emphasis on AI-assisted job matching
Automated content recommendations
Reduced human intervention in platform operations

4. Market Conditions

Broader tech industry trends affect LinkedIn:

Hiring slowdowns reducing recruiting revenue
Increased competition from alternative platforms
Economic uncertainty impacting advertising spend

Departments Most Affected

Engineering

Engineering teams took significant cuts, particularly in:

Backend operations
Product development
Systems architecture

This reflects the shift toward AI-automated systems that require less manual engineering maintenance.

Recruiting

LinkedIn's own recruiting department faced substantial reductions, suggesting:

AI tools handling more sourcing tasks
Automated screening replacing manual review
Reduced human touch in candidate matching

Other Areas

While engineering and recruiting took the biggest hits, cuts also affected:

Product management
Operations
Customer support roles

How LinkedIn Layoffs Affect Users

Platform Changes to Expect

As LinkedIn restructures around AI, users may notice:

More AI-powered features:

Enhanced job recommendations
AI-generated profile suggestions
Automated content curation

Reduced human support:

More chatbot interactions
Longer response times for complex issues
Greater reliance on self-service help

Opportunity for Users

Ironically, LinkedIn layoffs highlight the importance of building personal authority on the platform:

As automated features increase, authentic human content becomes more valuable
Standing out requires strategic visibility, not just profile optimization
Inbound strategies become more effective as competition increases

What This Means for Job Seekers

Using LinkedIn During Layoffs

If you're job searching during this period:

Optimize your profile: With AI handling more matching, keyword-rich profiles become essential

Build visibility: Don't rely on applications alone—attract inbound interest through content and engagement

Use the Open to Work feature: Signal availability to recruiters while controlling visibility

Network strategically: Connect with decision-makers before you need something from them

For Those Affected by Layoffs

If you're among the laid-off LinkedIn employees:

Update immediately: Refresh your profile with your most recent accomplishments

Activate your network: Reach out to connections before mass-applying

Document your impact: Quantify achievements from your LinkedIn role

Consider the narrative: Frame the transition as part of industry-wide restructuring

2026 Outlook

According to Techrights, additional restructuring is expected as Microsoft continues its AI transformation:

What to Watch

Q1 2026 announcements: Potential cuts targeting middle management
Product changes: Features being automated or deprecated
Platform direction: Increased AI throughout the user experience

Job Market Impact

For LinkedIn users:

Hiring on the platform may slow: Fewer LinkedIn recruiters means different sourcing approaches
AI matching gains importance: Profile optimization becomes more critical
Human networking matters more: Relationships differentiate candidates in an AI-filtered world

How to Position Yourself

Regardless of whether you're directly affected, LinkedIn's evolution requires adaptation:

Build Authority Now

Don't wait for job transitions to build your presence:

Post valuable content consistently
Engage meaningfully on others' posts
Develop a reputation as an expert in your field

Diversify Your Approach

Don't rely solely on LinkedIn's job features:

Build relationships before you need them
Create inbound interest through visibility
Develop direct connections with hiring managers

Embrace the Shift

AI integration isn't going away:

Learn to work with AI tools, not against them
Focus on uniquely human skills: relationships, creativity, judgment
Position yourself as someone AI helps find, not someone hoping algorithms notice

Frequently Asked Questions

How many employees did LinkedIn lay off in 2025?

LinkedIn laid off 281 employees in June 2025, primarily in engineering and recruiting roles. These cuts were part of Microsoft's broader 6,000-employee reduction, representing about 3% of Microsoft's global workforce.

Why is LinkedIn laying off employees?

LinkedIn's layoffs reflect Microsoft's strategic shift toward AI integration, cost optimization, and platform automation. As AI tools handle more recruiting, matching, and platform operations, the need for human-managed processes decreases.

Will there be more LinkedIn layoffs in 2026?

Industry analysts expect additional restructuring in 2026 as Microsoft continues its AI transformation. Potential cuts may target middle management and roles where AI automation has reduced workload.

How do LinkedIn layoffs affect regular users?

Users may notice more AI-powered features, reduced human customer support, and changes to how jobs are matched and recommended. Building authentic authority becomes more important as the platform automates.

What should I do if I'm laid off from LinkedIn?

Update your profile immediately with quantified achievements, activate your network before mass-applying, consider the broader industry narrative, and focus on building visibility through content and engagement.

Is LinkedIn still a good platform for job searching during layoffs?

Yes, LinkedIn remains the dominant professional networking platform. However, layoffs highlight the importance of building inbound visibility rather than relying solely on applications and automated matching.

Want to build LinkedIn authority that attracts opportunities regardless of platform changes? Start your free trial and create the visibility that makes you findable.