LinkedIn beat revenue expectations in its fiscal second quarter ended 31 December 2023, according to parent company Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT).

“LinkedIn revenue increased 9% and 8% in constant currency, ahead of expectations driven by slightly better-than-expected performance across all businesses,” Microsoft CFO Amy Hood said in a conference call with analysts. “In our Talent Solutions business, bookings growth was again impacted by weaker hiring environment in key verticals.”

LinkedIn revenue was USD 4.19 billion for the quarter.

“LinkedIn is now helping over 1 billion members learn, sell and get hired,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in the conference call. “We continue to see strong global membership growth, driven by member sign-ups in key markets like Germany and India.”

LinkedIn members are also building their skills, and 680 million have been added to profiles over the last 12 months, Nadella said. That’s an increase of 80% year over year.

AI-powered features, including more personalised InMails, are transforming the LinkedIn member experience, he said.

Total second-quarter revenue at Microsoft rose 16% in constant currency to $62.02 billion.

A regulatory filing noted that Microsoft is challenging a preliminary draft decision including a fine where the Irish Data Protection Commission alleged LinkedIn’s targeted advertising violated the European Union General Data Protection Regulation.

The Irish Data Protection Commission based its allegations on 2018 activities. Microsoft said it cooperated with the investigation, which resulted in the preliminary draft decision being issued in April 2023. There is no set timeline for the Irish Data Protection Commission to issue a final decision.