Professional networking platform LinkedIn is preparing to reduce approximately five per cent of its global workforce, according to people familiar with the matter, adding to the growing list of technology firms reshaping their organisations in 2026. Employees were expected to be informed of the decision on Wednesday as the company moves ahead with a broader internal reorganisation.
The platform, owned by Microsoft, currently employs more than 17,500 full-time workers worldwide. While the exact number of affected employees has not been confirmed, a five per cent reduction would impact several hundred roles across the organisation. The company has not yet disclosed which business units or functions may be most affected.
The restructuring is understood to be part of an effort to realign teams and shift resources toward areas showing stronger business potential. Rather than a cost-cutting exercise alone, the move appears linked to changes in organisational priorities and long-term growth planning.
The layoffs come at a time when LinkedIn’s business performance remains strong. Recent filings from Microsoft showed that LinkedIn’s revenue increased by 12 per cent in the latest quarter compared to the same period a year ago. The growth signals faster momentum for the platform in 2026, driven largely by recruitment solutions and subscription-based offerings.
Sources indicate that artificial intelligence is not directly replacing jobs at LinkedIn. However, the technology sector continues to undergo widespread structural changes as companies redesign operations around AI capabilities and evolving business needs.
The move reflects a wider trend across the industry. Several technology firms have announced workforce reductions this year as companies revisit organisational structures, invest in emerging technologies and redirect talent toward future-focused business areas. According to industry layoff trackers, tech sector job cuts have already crossed the 1,00,000 mark this year, approaching the total recorded across all of last year.
