What Industries Use LinkedIn the Most: List, Analysis and Rankings (2022)

LinkedIn is a social media platform that connects professionals and businesses with the goal of making it easier to find the right person for the job.

LinkedIn offers two types of profiles: professional and industry, catering to various fields including business development.

A professional profile enables you to list your skills, experience, education, etc., while an industry profile allows you to connect with people who share similar interests or work in your field.

In today’s blog post, we will take a look at how these industries have changed from 2019-2022 and what impact the Covid-19 pandemic had on them.

We will also list all the industries available to you on LinkedIn, emphasizing the inclusivity and comprehensiveness of the industry list, so that you know which niche best suits your skillset.

But first, a bit of history for those of you that are new to LinkedIn’s industries.

Every LinkedIn member is required to select from among 149 industries, which best reflects their professional activity.

You are required to choose an industry at first as a new member of the platform, but you can change it later.

The popularity of these industries has changed over time, but the fact that you can search for profiles by industry makes it one of the most powerful tools for selling and searching for jobs.

Understanding LinkedIn’s Industry List

LinkedIn’s industry list is a comprehensive collection of various industries found on the platform. It is a detailed compilation that encompasses a broad spectrum of LinkedIn industries, making it easy for users to search and identify their respective fields. The industry list is used to categorize and organize users, making it easier to connect with professionals in similar or related fields. Recruiters also use the industry filter when searching for candidates, making it essential for users to select the appropriate industry on LinkedIn to present an accurate and comprehensive profile to the professional community.

LinkedIn Industries Benchmark and Statistics

In our analysis of LinkedIn industries, we chose to benchmark the data from 2019 and 2022.

The following statistics show how different industries have changed over time: Market research indicates that these changes are influenced by various economic and social factors.

• The most popular industry for professionals is “Information Technology and services.” In 2022, this category got more than 1,3 million (!) new members compared to 2021. It now makes up 4,7% of all profiles on LinkedIn.
• Other areas that saw a significant increase last year are E-Learning (up 3Renewables (up 16%). This may be linked to the major economic issues we are facing, such as climate change, cyber security, and the Covid-19.

The popularity of these industries has changed over time, but the fact that you can search for profiles by industry makes it one of the most powerful tools for selling and job search. LinkedIn’s role in content marketing is also significant, especially in generating content impressions and supporting B2B marketing strategies.

While there was some important movement among the industries, the top 10 remained largely unchanged. The five most popular industries were “Information technology and services”, Hospital Health Care”, “Construction”, “Retail” and “Education management”.

Importance of Industry Sector on LinkedIn

The industry sector on LinkedIn is crucial for users to establish their professional identity and connect with others in their field. It helps users to showcase their expertise and skills, making it easier for potential employers, clients, or collaborators to find them. The industry sector also plays a significant role in LinkedIn’s algorithm, as it helps to determine the relevance of content and connections. By selecting the correct industry sector, users can increase their visibility and credibility on the platform, ultimately leading to more opportunities and connections.

Top 10 Linkedin Industry - 2021

The top 10 industries account for approximately 29% of LinkedIn’s users. LinkedIn hosts professionals from various industries, making it essential to identify and engage with the specific sectors relevant to your goals. In these last 4 years, there have been few changes to the top industries ranked on Linkedin. One major change is for the “Higher education” industry, which had a ranking of 11th in 2020 and jumped up to 9th today.

On the other side of the coin, one of the few downer aspects was in the automobile sector, which dropped to 10th place by 2021 and stayed there through 2022.

In comparison, healthcare categories, in general, have seen a steady rise in their number of individuals. This may be connected to the long-term impact of pandemics. Similarly, the human resources sector has maintained a strong presence, reflecting its critical role in organizational development.

There are no changes on the top three, which remained in the same order. The most popular industry for professionals is “Information Technology and Services” followed by “Hospital Health Care” and “Retail”.

Here is the full list of LinkedIn’s 149 industry categories available for you to select from, arranged by the number of people.

Linkedin Industry List (2022)

Here is the full list of industries on LinkedIn’s 149 industry categories available for you to select from, arranged by the number of people. The sales industry, in particular, has shown significant growth, highlighting its importance in the professional landscape.

LinkedIn Demographics

LinkedIn’s user base is diverse and widespread, with over 900 million users worldwide. The platform is used by business-oriented individuals, and it can be a powerful tool for brands to maintain online visibility. The majority of LinkedIn users are between the ages of 25 and 34, and the platform is used by employees, entrepreneurs, and job seekers alike. LinkedIn’s demographics also show that 59.1% of users are in the age range of 25 and 34, and 40% of internet users who access LinkedIn are between the ages of 46 to 55.

Industry Trends on LinkedIn

LinkedIn’s industry trends show that the platform is a hub for professionals in various fields. The top 7 industries on LinkedIn are technology, finance, healthcare, marketing, sales, education, and energy. These industries are popular on LinkedIn, but the absence of a specific industry from this list does not diminish its importance. The combined user base of just these top 4 industries accounts for approximately 29% of all LinkedIn users. Additionally, LinkedIn’s industry trends show that the platform is a significant hub for professionals with influential roles within their organizations, with over 65 million decision-makers and 17 million leaders in public opinion having official accounts on LinkedIn.

Which industry is better, a small one or a big one?

Choosing a major sector will boost your visibility. You’ll also get a bigger audience and the potential for more exposure for your profile because these industries are popular with many people on LinkedIn.

Choosing a small industry sector is ideal if you wish to focus on one particular sector or niche. For instance, business services can offer specialized opportunities that cater to specific client needs. For example, there may be fewer opportunities in the “Pizza Industry” than in other bigger industries such as “Retail.” However, this may personalize your profile to match a very specific industry need.

Take some time to explore what kinds of profiles exist under each category today so that you may choose an appropriate job path that complements both your own talents and interests!

How to Use LinkedIn Industry Types to Your Advantage

Using LinkedIn industry types can be beneficial for users to target specific areas and identify the needs of their prospects. LinkedIn is an incredible tool for marketers, helping with branding and standing out from competitors. Defining industry as a main criterion can be beneficial for selling products or services. Users can use LinkedIn’s industry categories to narrow down their target audience and learn what they want. By leveraging the industry list, users can open up opportunities for meaningful conversations and connections. It’s essential to choose the right industry to showcase what you’re really skilled at, and exploring specific industry sectors can help users find the right talent for their business.

Has the coronavirus pandemic affected Linkedin industry rankings?

To answer that issue, we’ll look at which sectors exhibited the most significant changes in their ranks during the last years. The “E-learning” sector, for example, has undergone a significant transformation and subsequent acceleration throughout the pandemics. Updating your LinkedIn profile to reflect these industry changes can significantly improve your visibility to potential employers, leads, and clients. Engaging in professional networking during these times can also enhance your career prospects and industry presence.

Highest ranking improvements in industries on LinkedIn

The “Transportation”, “Warehousing” and “Packaging” industries, which are intimately connected to the observed growth of e-commerce, have seen a significant rise. Setting up a LinkedIn account in these industries is crucial for networking and professional opportunities. During this time, there has been an increase in the number of new possibilities for these two sectors, some of which are anticipated to develop in the future.

The “E-learning” sector, for example, has undergone a significant transformation and subsequent acceleration throughout the pandemics. It has increased a staggering 15 positions, all the way from #99 in 2019 to #84 in 2022. Digital marketing has also played a crucial role in the growth of these industries, driving engagement and visibility.

The e-learning industry has been expanding at a rapid pace due to the increasing number of people who want to learn new skills and have more flexibility in their working hours. Let’s see how it performs when businesses

Linkedin Industries that lost the most positions

On the other hand, the “Management Consulting” sector has seen a downward trend in its ranks and has exited the top 30, declining 6 positions from #29 in 2019 to #35 by 2022.

The major ranking declines are more widespread, though some patterns can be observed for industries that are heavily impacted by social isolation such as Music, Performing Arts, Media production, Aviation, and Sporting Goods. These industries could potentially leverage LinkedIn ads to target specific audiences and regain their positions. Effective public relations strategies can also help these industries rebuild their reputation and market presence.

Linkboost userbase compared to Linkedin users data

Linkboost has users in 137 of LinkedIn’s 149 industry sectors. This means that Linkboost has users in more than 91% of all industries.

LinkBoost is a widely-used tool for building both authority and one’s personal brand, so it’s not surprising to see higher rankings in industries such as Marketing and Advertising, Professional Training & Coaching, Human Resources, and Consulting. Corporate training programs can also benefit from using Linkboost to enhance their reach and effectiveness.

Why this is important for you?

Choosing the right niche is at the core of any successful sales or networking strategy. Narrowing down your focus to a more specific area will make it easier for you to generate accurate leads and stay within LinkedIn’s new limits, so don’t neglect this essential piece when planning out your campaign!

The best way to build authority is by sharing value (content, opinions) with the people that are in your niche target. This will help you connect and grow a solid following of potential customers who would be interested in what it is you have to offer them.

Linkboost is the best tool for quickly increasing your content’s reach to new and specific niches.

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