LinkedIn hits 50 Mn userbase in India, to focus on regional language users

World's largest professional network platform, LinkedIn has witnessed a remarkable growth in India. With 50 million userbase, India is only behind US (150 million usersbase) while China stands at third position with 40 million.

India stats are still far behind the US but it has become the highest growing country in the last two years. In 2016, the US-based company had claimed 37 million users in India which grew by 13 per cent to cross 42 million userbase in the country by April 2017.

Launched in India in 2009 with a user base of 3.4 million, LinkedIn's initial three years also gave a firm background to grow here. The company grew threefold to cross 10 million mark by the end of 2012.

Importantly, the company's growth is largely driven by tier II, tier III cities instead of metros. With 19 per cent growth with respect to last year, LinkedIn gives credit to the contribution of smaller cities focused product such as LinkedIn Lite website and Lite Android App.

Within two years of launching (Lite Website in 2016 and Lite mobile app in 2017), the company has abled to cater the local market with investments in these two products.

Also Read: Violation of Companies Act: SEBI questions LinkedIn over fund raising

Developed by Indian engineers (at the R&D centre in Bengaluru) to focus on semi-urban and patchy internet network, the light version of LinkedIn has crossed the 1 million download mark.

According to Akshay Kothari, India head for LinkedIn, the company is more focused on increasing blue-collared jobs availability. Besides, it is looking for regional language support on the platform.

As far as the company's revenue is concerned, it majorly comes from the talent solutions business and the consumer or the subscription services.

The development was first reported by CNBC TV18.