Around one in four professionals believe LinkedIn can be used as a dating platform, despite the professional network’s policies prohibiting romantic advances, according to a new survey.
Research by Zety, a CV-template platform, found that 25 percent of respondents considered it acceptable to use LinkedIn for dating. Another 22 percent said they had either contacted someone on the platform or responded to a message with romantic intentions.
The survey questioned 1,023 employees in the United States and found that 12 percent had formed a romantic relationship that began through LinkedIn.
The findings come as some people increasingly seek alternatives to traditional dating apps, which have faced criticism over swipe-based matching and repetitive interactions.
LinkedIn’s professional profiles can offer information that dating apps often do not, including a person’s education, employment history and professional interests. Almost half of those surveyed, 48 percent, said they considered information on LinkedIn profiles more trustworthy than details found on dating platforms.
However, LinkedIn does not support using its service for romantic approaches.
“Our focus is on making sure that people are safe from unwanted romantic advances,” a LinkedIn spokesperson said.
Some users have nonetheless found relationships through professional connections.
Esme Gordon-Craig, a 24-year-old freelance journalist in London, said she contacted a former colleague after an internship ended and suggested continuing a conversation about careers over drinks. The meeting soon became recognised as a date.
Working remotely, she said LinkedIn had become useful not only for professional networking but also for developing social relationships.
Another example involved Rachel Wong, who received a connection request from Sam Sawchuck, an alumnus of her former employer. He had previously noticed her on Tinder and suggested meeting for coffee.
After colleagues vouched for him, Wong accepted the invitation while keeping their initial contact professional. The pair later developed a relationship and are now looking for a wedding venue.
In San Diego, financial adviser Amal Hagisufi met Moustafa Madkaur after she contacted him about a job opportunity in banking. He initially declined because of the distance between their workplaces, but later reconsidered after recognising her from a dating app and sent his phone number through LinkedIn.
Hagisufi said the interaction felt smoother than some approaches she had experienced on dating apps.
Dating coach Jaime Bronstein said professionals should be cautious if they attempt to form personal connections through LinkedIn. She advised users to keep initial messages appropriate to a professional environment and avoid direct openings such as asking whether someone is single or commenting on their appearance.
The platform’s profile-view notifications can also create complications for users who want to browse potential connections discreetly.
Despite the growing number of users experimenting with LinkedIn as a social or dating tool, the company’s rules remain unchanged. Romantic advances are not permitted, meaning users who pursue relationships through the platform risk crossing the boundaries of its intended professional purpose.
