The new service will compete directly with other freelance hiring sites like Upwork and Fiverr.
The move hasn’t been announced yet, but the Microsoft-owned professional network is developing a new service called Marketplaces to let its members find and book freelancers, according to The Informant.
The service is similar to platforms like Fiverr and Upwork, which focus on white-collar work such as consulting, data science, software development, and marketing.
Although the platform already offers a service to search for relevant freelancers by topic, Marketplaces will be more than just a place to connect with professionals. The new feature will allow customers to purchase services, compare rates, as well as post reviews and project proposals.
LinkedIn is also trying to enable onsite payments using a digital wallet, which would allow clients and freelancers to transact directly on the platform.
With remote work and digital nomadism on the rise, LinkedIn is tapping into a range of new opportunities. Now that businesses can employ from anywhere, they can choose from a broader pool of talents. By facilitating connections and deals on the platform, LinkedIn is offering freelancers new ways to share more about their services and find work.
“One of the biggest challenges for freelancers is finding a steady stream of clients and projects. We thought LinkedIn can be the perfect tool for finding this work.”, said LinkedIn’s VP of product David Thacker. “No matter what you’re trying to do or where you live, chances are you’ll be able to find a quality match.”
LinkedIn is looking to launch the service around September 2021.
