What has happened to B2B professionals after Linkedin has been banned in China?

It has been 10 months since Microsoft has announced shutting down Linkedin China.

There are no longer user-generated content available for Chinese users on Linkedin now but limited use as a job market.

Linkedin China is not working as social media but purely employment app.

When Chinese users register on Linkedin China, even though they can create profiles on Linkedin but they won’t be able to receive any messages.

Chinese Linkedin users cannot interact unless they use VPN to enter International Linkedin

As a result, identities using Linkedin to build professional connections and acquire international clients are mostly affected :

1. Chinese firms that targets international businesses

2. International consultants that targets Chinese businesses

For Chinese firms focusing on foreign trade, Linkedin was a crucial platform for client acquisition. They used to use it to build international connections and contact their international buyers.

However, Chinese firms are still on a better standing point than the International consultants because they are at a proactive position. They can always use VPN and go back to Linkedin International to contact clients.

On the other hand, international consultants are in a rather different position:

• They are harder to be found by Chinese businesses

• It’s harder to contact Chinese business representatives

They can still reach out to Chinese businesses and engaged with Chinese individuals, but the result is much more unknown and uncertain than previously.

We have clients that are foreign consultants based in China that mainly rely on personal recommendation and Linkedin traffic are now struggling with getting more leads since Linkedin has been banned in China.

International consultants' major advantage is their understanding and knowledge in western businesses and how they can help Chinese businesses to strength their skillsets in order to form a better relationship with the western businesses.

Theses include management and admin skills such as Marketing and English communication, or field specific such as certification, quality control, exporting and the list go on.

Although China has banned Linkedin, most B2B consultants argue there is no loss of contacts in China through Linkedin Platforms. Since most of their target audience——Chinese businesses owners or representatives are still using Linkedin as their primary source of acquiring customers.

"Go Where Your Customers Are Going To Be", just like the old saying suggested, maybe banned Linkedin is not bringing as much impact as we imagine to B2B professional as long as they are still following this marketing rule.