Just like Facebook (FB) and Alphabet (GOOG), LinkedIn’s (LNKD) web-based business model is also under the dark cloud of ad-blocking. Linkedin’s desktop PC-heavy Sponsored Updates and Display Ads platform are vulnerable to more Linkedin members using ad-blocking browser extensions. There’s now 380 million people using LinkedIn. Many of them are savvy professionals who know how to install Ad Block Plus or uBlock Origin.

The overpowering dominance of Facebook and Google over online display ads also hints Linkedin is unlikely to grow its advertising division. It was therefore only smart of Linkedin to buy online training firm Lynda.com last April. The $1.5 billion bet on Lynda.com fortifies LinkedIn’s premium subscription-heavy business model.

Lynda.com is actually LinkedIn’s biggest acquisition over its 12-year history. This bold bet is justified. In spite of the many competitors, Lynda.com remains a leader in providing affordable skills training to anyone in the world. As per the survey of ConsumerAffairs.com, customers rate Lynda.com higher than its closest rivals, Udemy, and Treehouse.

Linkedin is now empowering many of its 380 million users to improve their employment chances through Lynda.com. A Linkedin user could increase his chances of getting hired/promoted if he spends money for a 6-12 months of Lynda.com training.

Lynda.com’s Learn-All-You-Can Package Is A Long-Term Winner

The reason why Lynda.com still leads in online training is due to its learn-all-you-can subscription monthly package. Unlike the per-course fee structure of Udemy training, Lynda.com’s basic monthly $24.99 fee allows subscribers unlimited access to all courses.

(Source: Lynda.com)

Individuals, companies, and government institutions could save a lot of money through Lynda.com’s on-demand and learn-all-you can monthly training deal. This Linkedin subsidiary touts a library of more than 4,100 video training courses covering skills needed by different professions.