LinkedIn has revealed a brand new report which seems at evolving alternatives for SMBs, primarily based on information gleaned from the 18 million small companies which have a presence within the app.
LinkedIn’s “How Small Companies Can Win in 2026” report highlights key alternatives and developments, which can assist SMBs faucet into the fitting streams, with a view to enhance their efficiency over the following 12 months.
You possibly can obtain the total 25-page report right here, however on this publish, we’ll have a look at a few of the key notes.
First off, LinkedIn notes that SMBs are rising, at the least primarily based on LinkedIn title exercise:
“The variety of folks including ‘Founder’ to their profiles globally grew 60% year-over-year and has almost tripled since 2022. Whilst world development slows, extra professionals are selecting to construct one thing of their very own reasonably than await the following alternative.”
I imply, that’s not a precise measurement, however Bureau of Labour information does present that small companies are rising within the U.S. over time, which is mirrored on this stat.
The creator economic system, and the alternatives of net connectivity have opened new doorways on this respect, whereas LinkedIn additionally notes that AI can be giving extra folks a method into their very own enterprise.
Which is without doubt one of the key tendencies of word. Based mostly on its findings, LinkedIn says that there are three paths ahead for SMBs:
- AI adoption for enhanced pace and scale.
- Model credibility to boost visibility and belief
- Networks to create the affect that turns consideration into alternative.
These are the three components that LinkedIn particularly focuses on within the report, with information insights to information your pondering on every.
First off, on AI. LinkedIn says that nearly 60% of U.S. small enterprise executives plan to undertake AI throughout their organizations in 2026, representing a five-point enhance from final 12 months.
“Rising innovation and creativity” is a reasonably broad class right here, however the above itemizing reveals the place SMBs are presently utilizing AI, and searching for to derive advantages from AI instruments.
The precise advantages could differ, as extra companies are reporting less-than-expected good points from AI integrations. However as we develop into additional accustomed to the strengths and weaknesses of those new information processing instruments, that can open up extra alternative to optimize varied workflows.
When it comes to model credibility, the report seems on the position that social media platforms play in constructing your model presence, and particular codecs, most notably video, in reinforcing model positioning.
As you may see in that backside word, short-form video is the place it’s at, based on LinkedIn’s insights. Which, in fact, are additionally coloured by LinkedIn’s personal algorithm, which dictates publish attain, and ensures that video content material will get extra desire.
However both method, short-form video is clearly what LinkedIn’s trying to underline on this side.
Lastly, on networks, LinkedIn says that near 75% of small enterprise leaders throughout key markets say that constructing their skilled community is essential to long-term enterprise development, “whereas almost 40% see their networks as a technique to discover new clients.”
And overlaying each of those components, LinkedIn additionally notes that 61% of small enterprise homeowners throughout key markets globally have develop into content material creators.
I’m unsure that tagging these folks as “content material creators” is how they’d see themselves, however basically, extra SMBs are creating extra content material to ascertain their enterprise presence and develop their networks.
Based mostly on these findings, LinkedIn says that manufacturers ought to look to put money into AI to automate repetitive duties and enhance on practical processes.
On this entrance, LinkedIn is providing three AI-focused LinkedIn Studying programs totally free over the following month:
LinkedIn additionally says that SMBS ought to look to construct their model “with authenticity and belief,” by leveraging trusted voices and enhancing neighborhood engagement.
Lastly, LinkedIn says that rising your community strategically may even assist to boost model positioning, and drive higher response.
These are some priceless notes, which may assist in your 2026 planning.
You possibly can obtain LinkedIn’s full “How Small Companies Can Win in 2026” report right here, whereas LinkedIn has additionally revealed regional variations of the report for Australia, Brazil, France, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, and the UK.
