LinkedIn Launches Conversational AI Search

LinkedIn just added another AI layer to its platform: conversational search. Instead of tinkering with multiple filters, you can now type a plain-language request like 'ex-coworkers who became founders in healthcare in NY' and get people, pages, and posts that match your query.

The feature is currently rolling out to LinkedIn Premium subscribers in the US and will reach more members soon.

This change is part of LinkedIn's broader push to embed AI across the app, supported by parent company Microsofts continued investments in AI research and products. For context on Microsofts AI focus, see the Microsoft AI blog.

How conversational search works and where it helps

Plain-language queries, smarter matches

Conversational search lets you describe what you need in natural language. That lowers the barrier for non-technical users who previously had to combine multiple filters to locate specific people or content. Recruiters, partnership leads, and sales teams may find it especially useful for discovering niche expertise or overlooked connections in their network.

Typical use cases
 

• Finding specialized talent, for example, ‘angels with FDA experience for an early biotech’
• Reconnecting with former colleagues who moved into relevant roles
• Finding content or pages relevant to a niche topic without manual filtering
   

Privacy and accuracy considerations

While this feature sounds powerful, it raises some important questions:

• Data scope: LinkedIn can only search what users have shared on their profiles and posts. That limits results to publicly available or network-visible data.

• Representation: People tend to present their best professional selves on LinkedIn, so results may skew positive or omit relevant but unflattering details.

• Sensitive queries: Historically, features like Facebooks Graph Search exposed privacy risks by enabling granular searches. For more background, see the discussion of Graph Search and its implications at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5100679 and consider how platforms must balance utility with privacy.

LinkedIn will need strong guardrails to prevent enabling searches that could be used to surface sensitive personal information or to target people unfairly.

Tips for professionals and recruiters using conversational search

For job seekers and talent

• Audit your profile: Update headlines, skills, and experience to reflect how you want to be found.
   
• Use privacy settings: Review what information is public vs network-only to control visibility.
   
• Be authentic: AI can surface inconsistencies if you overstate skills or experience.

For content creators and employee advocates

• Optimize your profile and posts: Use clear keywords in your summary and content to improve discoverability with natural-language queries.
   
• Encourage teammates to update profiles: A consistent, accurate employee presence helps your company surface as a trusted source. Learn how employee advocacy can amplify reach at https://vulse.co/.

What to watch next

LinkedIn has already added conversational language queries for job discovery, and its evolving AI toolkit keeps getting broader. Expect more targeted search enhancements and integration across LinkedIn experiences.

At the same time, monitor how well the feature returns accurate and relevant matches, and whether it respects privacy boundaries.

Conversational AI search promises convenience and faster discovery, but its value will depend on result quality and responsible roll-out.

For organizations, this is a reminder to keep employee profiles up to date and to think strategically about how employees represent themselves online.

For additional reporting on this feature, see LinkedIn's announcement and a coverage piece on how LinkedIn is using AI for job discovery.

Want to make the most of LinkedIn's AI search for your brand or career?

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