‘LinkedIn is working on freelancer platform Marketplaces’

Social networking site LinkedIn is said to be working on a platform for freelancers to offer their services, called Marketplaces. With the platform, LinkedIn would like to become a major player in the ever-expanding freelance market.

Marketplaces would primarily like to target white-collar workers who have expertise in software development, marketing and accounting. LinkedIn would like to connect these people through the platform with companies and individuals looking for such services.

According to The Information, Microsoft has been working on Marketplaces since 2019. Then the technology company bought an American start-up that brought freelance lawyers into contact with potential clients. According to The Information, the then CEO of that start-up also leads the team within Microsoft that develops Marketplaces.

With Marketplaces, LinkedIn wants to replace its current platform for freelancers, ProFinder. With ProFinder, American freelancers can get in touch with potential clients, but many options to compare freelancers or to directly purchase a service are still missing.

Marketplaces is expected to roll out in the United States in September, according to The Information. It is not clear whether it will also be rolled out to other countries. Microsoft acquired LinkedIn in 2016. The website now has more than 740 million active users and is active in more than 200 countries.