If you were the VP of Product at LinkedIn, would you launch games on the platform?
1. Start with the Goal
What’s the reason to explore games?
Drive more engagement?
Help users network in lighter ways?
Differentiate LinkedIn from other platforms?
If there's no clear value to users or the business, it’s not worth pursuing.
2. Understand the Users
LinkedIn’s audience is different.
It’s not teens or gamers. It’s professionals.
So any game needs to match the tone of the platform.
What might fit:
Industry quizzes
Skill-based competitions
Icebreaker games at virtual events
Gamified learning or certifications
Company vs company trivia leagues
3. Hypotheses to Validate
Games could make the platform more engaging without feeling unprofessional
Might help users start conversations or reconnect
Could make LinkedIn feel noisy or off-brand
Users may ignore it if it feels too casual
4. What I’d Want to See
What % of users are active daily?
Are there high drop-off moments in user journeys?
Do users want more informal interaction formats?
How do learning features (like LinkedIn Learning) perform in terms of completion and return visits?
5. How I’d Test It
Launch a small trivia game tied to industry content
Try gamified learning modules in select categories
Run a leaderboard inside LinkedIn groups
See if games increase time-on-site or repeat visits
6. When I’d Greenlight It
✅ Clear value for networking or learning
✅ Users engage and return for more
✅ It strengthens LinkedIn’s value as a professional platform
When I’d Kill It
❌ Low participation
❌ Hurts platform credibility
❌ Distracts from core use cases like hiring, learning, or sales
Bottom Line
Games could work — but only if they support networking, skill-building, or learning.
This isn’t a place for Candy Crush or Wordle clones. It has to feel native to LinkedIn’s mission.
Start small. Test quietly. Measure carefully.
Would you ever play a game on LinkedIn if it helped you connect, learn, or grow professionally?
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