The Texas Attorney General's office has initiated an investigation into LinkedIn, suspecting that the platform is displaying fake job listings, commonly referred to as ghost jobs. This inquiry centers on claims that LinkedIn is promoting its premium subscription services while failing to disclose that many job postings on its site may not be legitimate.
Understanding Ghost Jobs
Ghost jobs are not a new phenomenon; they have been prevalent in the recruitment landscape for some time. These positions often remain posted on job boards despite the companies not actively hiring for them. Research suggests that between 20% to 33% of job listings available online could be classified as ghost jobs.
Claims from the Texas Attorney General
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has raised concerns that users paying for LinkedIn's premium services may not be receiving the advertised benefits. LinkedIn's Premium Career subscription costs $39.99 per month, while its Premium Business option is priced at $69.99. Paxton argues that many job listings lack proper verification, leading to the existence of inactive or misleading postings.
Investigative Demands Issued
On July 14, 2026, Paxton announced the issuance of a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) requiring LinkedIn to provide documents, data, and internal communications related to its job postings and advertising practices. The investigation aims to determine whether LinkedIn has misled Texas residents by profiting from ghost jobs while marketing itself as a reliable job search platform.
LinkedIn's Response
LinkedIn has refuted the charges brought forth by the Texas Attorney General's office, asserting that all job postings on its platform are required to be authentic and accurately represented. A spokesperson for LinkedIn emphasized that the company employs both automated systems and manual reviews to identify and remove listings that violate its policies. They assured that LinkedIn is committed to enforcing these policies and is continuously investing in new features, including job verification for postings and recruiters.
As the investigation continues, there have been no formal charges or lawsuits filed against LinkedIn as of now. The outcome of this inquiry could have significant implications for how job platforms operate and the transparency they provide to users seeking employment.
Source: https://tekno.kompas.com/read/2026/07/27/19030077/linkedin-diselidiki-diduga-pajang-ghost-jobs-untuk-jual-langganan-premium
