About LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is an on-demand, video-based e-learning platform and a subsidiary of LinkedIn. It was formerly known as Lynda.com. It offers a massive library of over 16,000 courses across three main categories: Business, Technology, and Creative skills.
The courses are taught by industry experts and are designed to help individuals and organizations acquire new skills for professional development. The platform is known for its personalized learning paths, certificates of completion that can be added to a user’s LinkedIn profile, and integration with the professional networking site.
LinkedIn Learning Affiliate Program Overview
The LinkedIn Learning Affiliate Program allows partners to earn commissions by promoting LinkedIn Learning subscriptions (which typically include a free trial) and individual courses to their audience. It is a popular program within the online education sector.
| Feature | Details |
| Industry | E-Learning, Online Education, Professional Development |
| Product Type | Digital Subscriptions (Monthly/Annual) and Individual Courses |
| Affiliate Program Type | CPA (Cost Per Action) / CPS (Cost Per Sale) / CPL (Cost Per Lead – for free trials) |
LinkedIn Learning Affiliate Program Offers
The program provides affiliates with the resources and tracking needed to promote the platform effectively and monetize their audience.
| Offer Detail | Information |
| Promotional Materials | Banners, text links, deep links to specific courses/categories, tracking codes, and access to performance reporting. |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | Typically 30 days (Some sources suggest different cookie durations, but 30 days is common for the industry). |
| Accepted Traffic Source | Websites, blogs, social media channels, email marketing (must check specific terms for restrictions). |
| Accepted Countries | Generally Global (as LinkedIn Learning supports multiple languages and is used worldwide). |
| Explicit Content | Not accepted (standard for a professional platform). |
| Religious or Political Content | Typically restricted or not accepted (standard for a professional and educational brand). |
LinkedIn Learning Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The commission structure often includes a fixed payout for free trial sign-ups and a percentage for course or subscription purchases.
| Payment Detail | Information |
| MLM | Not applicable (This is a standard affiliate program, not Multi-Level Marketing). |
| Commission Rate | Up to 35% per course purchase. |
| Commission Structure | $10 per Free Trial Signup (Lead) and up to 35% per Course/Subscription Purchase (Sale). |
| Payout Frequency | Monthly (Handled by the affiliate network). |
| Payout Methods | PayPal, Check, Wire Transfer, Direct Deposit, ACH Transfer (Varies based on the affiliate network platform). |
| Minimum Payout | Varies based on the affiliate network (Often $50 for Direct Deposit/ACH or $100 for Wire Transfer). |
Suitable Affiliates for LinkedIn Learning Affiliate
The program is best suited for content creators and platforms whose audience is actively seeking professional development, career advancement, and skill acquisition in business, technology, and creative fields.
| Affiliate Type | Suitability |
| Bloggers | High Suitability: Blogs focused on career development, technology reviews, business advice, and creative skill tutorials. |
| TikTokers | Medium Suitability: Those creating short-form content focused on career tips, quick skill hacks, or professional life, driving traffic through a link in bio. |
| KOC/KOL/Influencers | High Suitability: Influencers in the B2B, professional skills, tech, or creative industries on platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, and specialized forums. |
| YouTubers | High Suitability: Channels that create tutorials, course reviews, career advice videos, or “learn a new skill” challenges. |
| Video editors | Medium Suitability: Can promote the creative or video editing courses to their peers or audience. |
| Livestreamers | Medium Suitability: Those who livestream educational content, coding sessions, or creative workshops can integrate promotions. |
LinkedIn Learning Affiliate Software
LinkedIn Learning manages its affiliate program through a third-party affiliate network.
- Software Used: Impact Radius (Impact.com) and FlexOffers (The specific terms and rates may vary slightly depending on the network you join through).
3 Alternatives for LinkedIn Learning Affiliate Program
Here are three popular alternatives in the e-learning affiliate space: Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare. Each offers a different model and focuses, making them comparable to LinkedIn Learning’s offering.
| Comparison Factor | LinkedIn Learning | Coursera | Udemy | Skillshare |
| Average Bill | Subscription-based (monthly/annual) or individual course purchase. | Subscription (Coursera Plus), Specialization/Certificate purchase, or Degree programs. | Individual course purchase (low price, high volume of sales due to frequent discounts). | Monthly/Annual Subscription (Focus on free trial sign-ups). |
| Entry Fees | None (Free to join the affiliate program). | None (Free to join the affiliate program). | None (Free to join the affiliate program). | None (Free to join the affiliate program). |
| Withdrawal Threshold | Varies by network (e.g., $50 – $100). | Varies by network (e.g., $50 – $100). | Varies by network (often $10). | Varies by network (e.g., $10 – $50). |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly. | Monthly. | Monthly. | Monthly. |
| Commission | $10 per Free Trial + Up to 35% per sale. | 15% to 45% per eligible purchase. | Around 10% per sale (but often higher with promotions). | Approx. $7 per Free Trial Sign-up (Lead). |
| Conversion | Subscription/Certificate focus, often targeting professionals/B2B. | Academic focus, often targeting professional certificates and degrees. | High conversion due to low entry price and frequent sales. | High conversion on free trial sign-ups for creative/lifestyle learning. |
| Marketing Materials | Banners, Text Links, Deep Links, Reporting via Impact. | Banners, Text Links, Weekly Newsletters, Product Merchandiser Field via Impact. | Affiliate-exclusive promotions, course/category links, banners via Rakuten Advertising. | Banners, Text Links, Deep Links via Impact/FlexOffers. |
