LinkedIn is rolling out a generative AI-powered search feature for its Premium subscribers in the United States, a move designed to fundamentally change how users find and connect with professionals on the platform.[1][2] This new functionality allows users to move beyond rigid, keyword-based searches and instead use natural, conversational language to find individuals with specific skills, experiences, and backgrounds.[3] The AI-powered people search aims to make discovering the right connections more intuitive and efficient, whether for recruiting, sales, or general networking purposes.[4] Instead of struggling with Boolean operators and complex filters, a user can now simply type a query like, "Find investors in healthcare with FDA experience" or "Show me founders of YC startups based in New York."[5][6] The system is designed to understand the user's intent and deliver more relevant and nuanced results, unlocking the vast potential of LinkedIn's extensive professional network.[7][8] This development is part of a broader strategy by the Microsoft-owned company to integrate artificial intelligence across its services, following the introduction of an AI-powered job search tool earlier in the year.[9][10]

The new AI search operates by translating natural language prompts into structured filters and semantic matches behind the scenes.[5][8] When a Premium user enters a conversational query into the search bar, which now prompts "I'm looking for…", the system leverages large language models to parse the request and identify key constraints.[5][9] It then draws upon LinkedIn's massive dataset of member profiles, including job titles, skills, experience, and endorsements, to find suitable matches.[8] The technology goes beyond simple keyword matching by inferring skills and understanding the context behind a search.[5][2] For instance, a search for "an expert in small-business marketing" might surface profiles of individuals who have successfully scaled small and medium-sized enterprises or managed relevant campaigns, even if those exact keywords aren't in their profile.[8] This process combines the power of generative AI to understand intent with LinkedIn's structured data to deliver more accurate and relevant results.[5][8] The goal is to eliminate the need for users to know the precise job title or company of the person they are looking for, a limitation of the previous lexical search system.[11]

The implications of this AI-driven search are particularly significant for recruiters and sales professionals who rely heavily on LinkedIn to identify talent and generate leads.[5] For these users, the process of crafting complex search queries with multiple keywords and filters can be a major drain on productivity.[5] A conversational interface that can understand specific requests, such as "Series A fintech CFOs in Chicago with public company experience," could save hours of sourcing time.[5] This enhanced efficiency is expected to add significant value to LinkedIn's premium subscription suites, including Recruiter and Sales Navigator, as faster discovery and outreach can directly lead to more conversions and closed deals.[5] Beyond professional recruiters, the feature also empowers general users to find mentors, industry experts, or potential collaborators more effectively, turning their network into a more actionable resource.[4] By making it easier to find the right people, LinkedIn aims to foster more meaningful professional connections and opportunities for its members.[4]

While the initial rollout is limited to Premium users in the U.S., LinkedIn has announced plans to expand the feature to other regions and potentially more membership tiers in the coming months.[3][9] However, early feedback from testers indicates that the technology is not yet perfect.[5] There have been instances where different phrasing of the same query, such as using "YC" versus "Y Combinator," has yielded different results, highlighting the sensitivity of the AI's entity recognition.[5] Another observed issue is the model occasionally over-relying on profile badges, like the "Top Voice" designation, rather than the substantive content of a user's experience.[5] LinkedIn has acknowledged these limitations and stated that it is actively working to improve its understanding of acronyms, synonyms, and industry jargon to refine the accuracy of the search results.[5] The company is expected to iterate on the feature based on user feedback to better map prompts to the right people and skills.[5]

In conclusion, the introduction of AI-powered people search represents a significant evolution for LinkedIn, moving the platform from a directory to be navigated with precise keywords to a more intelligent and conversational professional graph.[5] By leveraging generative AI to understand user intent, the company is aiming to make its vast network of over a billion members more accessible and its core value proposition of connecting professionals more powerful.[10] While the initial launch is a strategic move to enhance the value of its Premium subscriptions, the potential for this technology to democratize access to professional opportunities and expertise is substantial.[7] As the AI models continue to learn and improve, this shift towards natural language interaction could redefine the standards for professional networking and talent acquisition in the digital age, making it easier than ever to find the person who can help you the most.[11]