WEB DESK: Over the past couple of years, LinkedIn has been actively integrating artificial intelligence across its platform, enhancing features like ad copy, content generation, personalized updates, hiring tools, job search guidance, and learning resources. Now, the platform is rolling out AI-driven capabilities to one of its most popular features.
Earlier this year, LinkedIn launched a new job search tool in the U.S. that allows users to find jobs through natural language queries. Building on that innovation, the company is now extending this functionality to include people search.With the new feature, users can type in complex queries such as “Find me healthcare investors with FDA experience,” “co-founders of productivity companies based in NYC,” or “contacts in my network who can explain wireless networks.”
Previously, LinkedIn’s search relied heavily on manual keyword input and filters, requiring users to carefully choose their search terms to find the right connections. This process could be time-consuming and imprecise. Rohan Rajiv, Senior Director of Product Management at LinkedIn, explained to TechCrunch, “Lexical search meant you had to know the exact title or wrestle with filters to locate the right person. If you didn’t know the right combination, you might never find the person you’re looking for. Our new AI-powered search aims to be the quickest route to connecting with the right individual.”
As AI continues to reshape how people search across internet platforms, major search engines like Google, Bing, Brave, and DuckDuckGo have already integrated AI-driven results. Startups focused on AI-powered people search are also gaining momentum.In early trials, LinkedIn observed that users primarily utilized this feature to identify contacts for job opportunities, business growth, or career progression. Meanwhile, platforms like Reddit are heavily investing in AI-based search, restricting access to their data and requiring licensing agreements for AI training and usage.Although LinkedIn’s data is frequently showcased in AI demos for chatbots and virtual assistants, the company, owned by Microsoft, has yet to impose restrictions on its data usage.
Rajiv noted that LinkedIn is still in the early stages of developing browser integrations and plans to establish clearer policies around data use and privacy.
Looking ahead, many speculate that analyzing LinkedIn networks through AI will become more sophisticated, though current search capabilities still have room for improvement.
Initially, the AI-powered people search will be available to premium users in the U.S., with plans to expand internationally. Instead of the usual “Search” label, the search bar will now display “I’m looking for…” for premium members.
However, the feature isn’t flawless yet. For example, searching for “people who co-founded a YC startup” can yield different results than “Y Combinator,” and searches like “people who co-founded a voice AI startup” might include users with a LinkedIn Top Voice badge among the results.
LinkedIn has stated that it is actively working to refine the search algorithm to better interpret user queries and improve result accuracy.
