LinkedIn Introduces Four New Indian Regional Languages – Here's What You Need to Know

On Thursday, LinkedIn, the world's leading professional networking platform, announced the addition of 10 new language options to its platform, aiming to make the network more accessible to users around the world. These new languages include four Indian regional languages, further strengthening LinkedIn’s presence in one of its fastest-growing markets.

New Languages Introduced: Bridging Global Communities

The new language options added by LinkedIn include Vietnamese, Greek, Persian, Finnish, Hebrew, and Hungarian, alongside four Indian regional languages – Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, and Punjabi. These additions mark a significant step in LinkedIn's mission to enhance inclusivity and accessibility, enabling more professionals to connect, communicate, and grow their professional identities in their native languages.

With the addition of these Indian regional languages, LinkedIn now supports five Indian languages, as Hindi had been introduced earlier. This move is seen as a significant effort to address the diverse linguistic needs of LinkedIn’s vast user base in India, helping users engage more deeply with their professional networks.

Expanding Support for Indian Languages

LinkedIn's decision to add four Indian regional languages – Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, and Punjabi – reflects its growing focus on the Indian market. These languages are widely spoken across different parts of India, and by integrating them, LinkedIn aims to remove language barriers and offer a more inclusive experience to users from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

According to a statement by Tomer Cohen, LinkedIn’s Chief Product Officer, the platform is now more accessible than ever. "We’re excited to announce that LinkedIn is now more inclusive and accessible than ever. We’ve expanded our language support to include 10 new languages, each representing a vibrant part of our global community,” said Cohen.

LinkedIn’s Strong Growth in India: A Vital Market

India has emerged as a key market for LinkedIn, with the platform experiencing impressive growth rates over recent years. The platform's member base in India has now exceeded 135 million users, making India LinkedIn’s second-largest market, after the United States. Engagement rates on the platform in India have grown at an impressive rate of 20% year-over-year, reflecting the increasing importance of LinkedIn as a professional tool in the country.

By adding more Indian languages, LinkedIn is strengthening its foothold in the Indian market and allowing more users to connect in a language they are comfortable with. This move is expected to deepen engagement among users and help them build more meaningful connections on the platform.

A Global Platform with 36 Supported Languages

The addition of these new languages brings the total number of supported languages on LinkedIn to 36. This multilingual support is essential for helping professionals worldwide connect more effectively, regardless of the language they speak. LinkedIn's global mission is to break down language barriers and create a dynamic environment where people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds can thrive.

“With these additions, our platform now supports a total of 36 languages, helping professionals around the world connect, communicate, and collaborate more effectively,” Cohen added.

Leadership Changes in India: A New Direction

Along with the expansion of language support, LinkedIn recently made leadership changes in India by appointing Kumaresh Pattabiraman as the new Country Manager and Product Head. This change comes at a time when LinkedIn is focusing on innovation and engagement in the Indian market.

Pattabiraman emphasized that LinkedIn has evolved far beyond just being a jobs platform. “LinkedIn has transformed into a dynamic global community where professionals come together for jobs, learning, networking, and knowledge sharing,” he stated. This strategic shift highlights LinkedIn's commitment to building a holistic professional network that offers various tools and opportunities for career growth and development.

India's Growing Role in AI Talent and Skills

India’s contribution to LinkedIn extends beyond just membership numbers. The country is a major hub for AI talent, with LinkedIn data showing that India ranks among the top five countries with the fastest-growing AI talent globally. Furthermore, India boasts the highest AI skill penetration, with LinkedIn members in the country using AI skills three times more frequently than the global average.

This underscores the significance of India’s workforce in the global AI ecosystem, and LinkedIn’s expansion of its services in the country aims to cater to this rapidly growing market.

New Features and Innovations for Indian Users

Recognizing the unique demands of the Indian market, LinkedIn has rolled out a new video experience for users in India. The platform has seen a 60% year-on-year increase in video uploads, reflecting the growing popularity of video as a communication and engagement tool among Indian professionals.

By introducing this new video experience, LinkedIn is tapping into the fast-growing demand for richer, more interactive forms of content. This aligns with the broader trend of video consumption increasing across social media platforms, and LinkedIn is positioning itself to meet this demand in a professional context.

Conclusion

LinkedIn’s expansion of language support, particularly with the addition of four Indian regional languages, marks a significant milestone in the platform's global growth strategy. With India standing as one of its most important markets, LinkedIn’s efforts to remove language barriers and foster inclusivity will allow more professionals in the country to connect, collaborate, and grow their careers. Furthermore, the platform’s innovative features, such as the new video experience, reflect LinkedIn’s commitment to evolving with the needs of its users, particularly in fast-growing markets like India.