Microsoft acquired LinkedIn in 2016 for $26.2 billion in an all-cash transaction.
LinkedIn was founded in 2002 and launched publicly in May 2003. It built a professional social network centered on résumés, employment histories, recruiting, business relationships, and industry content. At the time of the acquisition, LinkedIn was led by chief executive Jeff Weiner, while Microsoft was led by Satya Nadella.
Microsoft said LinkedIn would retain its distinct brand, culture, and independence. The companies connected LinkedIn’s professional identity data and content with Microsoft products such as Office 365, Dynamics, and later related workplace services. The purchase was completed in December 2016 after regulatory approvals. A frequent mistake is to call LinkedIn a job-board acquisition: job listings were important, but LinkedIn’s broader product was a professional network with membership profiles, messaging, publishing, recruiting, and learning services.