Introduction

Rapid advances in social media have fundamentally transformed interpersonal communication, network dynamics, and identity expression in unimaginable ways1. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have blurred the lines between personal and professional domains, serving as arenas for self-presentation, the deliberate curation and expression of one’s identity to influence others’ perceptions and social validation, the process by which users seek recognition, approval, or affirmation from their online networks2,3. These platforms also enable a wide range of engagement behaviors, which refer to how users interact with content and others on the platform, including liking, commenting, sharing, and messaging. Notably, users increasingly turn to these networks for work-related purposes as well4. Among professional social media platforms5, LinkedIn stands out. It was originally conceived as a professional networking tool dedicated to career advancement and professional affiliations6,7. However, despite its professional orientation, LinkedIn is increasingly being used for non-professional purposes, including dating, which remains largely unexplored in academic research8,9. This overlap between professional identity and personal connection suggests that platforms like LinkedIn may serve dual functions, facilitating career development and, increasingly, romantic exploration. This study investigates a central question: To what extent do users’ perceptions and engagement behaviors on LinkedIn, as a professional social network, influence their intention to date? By introducing this question early on, we frame our analysis around the emerging dual use of LinkedIn and emphasize the need to understand how users navigate its evolving social landscape. This transformation illustrates a phenomenon where digital platforms are repurposed to adapt to various facets of users’ lives, generating complex social environments10.

LinkedIn’s unique branding as a “professional” networking platform11 makes it a compelling context for examining dating intentions6. Unlike conventional social media, LinkedIn encourages a polished, professional identity11,12. The platform is also very popular for B2B customer engagement and sales, further emphasizing its formal corporate positioning13. As a result, LinkedIn users encounter distinct challenges and opportunities when adapting the platform to romantic or social engagements. Its focus on credentials and career achievements may shape users’ perceptions of trustworthiness and safety when considering dating scenarios14. Analyzing how LinkedIn users navigate these complexities provides important insights into how individuals delineate the boundaries between personal and professional domains in online environments. This, in turn, offers a new perspective on the evolution of digital social behaviors15.

While much academic research has examined the role of social media platforms as contexts for romantic interactions16, many of these focus on specialized dating apps, including Tinder, Bumble and OkCupid. These apps are specifically designed to support matchmaking through tailored features for communication and privacy17. In contrast, LinkedIn’s professional branding and platform structure produce a very different user experience, shaping expectations and behaviors accordingly18. The concepts of trust, safety and self-presentation, which are central to the exploration of online dating, acquire new dimensions in LinkedIn’s professional setting, as users are required to navigate between the twin goals of professional networking and maintaining personal relationships19.

Existing academic research on LinkedIn has mainly focused on its function in career advancement, recruitment methodologies and professional identity management20. However, there is a considerable gap in academic discourse regarding LinkedIn’s capacity as a medium for romantic interactions. Although some studies have alluded to LinkedIn’s broader social applications, a limited amount of research has methodically examined the determinants that affect users’ intentions to meet on a platform that is not overtly intended for romantic engagements21. This research endeavor aims to fill this gap by analyzing LinkedIn users’ perceptions of trustworthiness, safety and self-confidence in conjunction with engagement behaviors such as self-presentation and interaction with content. By delving deeper into these aspects, the study offers an innovative perspective on LinkedIn’s gradual transformation into a multifunctional social networking site.

This investigation encompasses a myriad of fields, such as digital marketing, social psychology, and behavioral science research. It explores how users navigate the dual functionalities of LinkedIn as a professional and personal networking platform. By exploring the interconnections between perceived confidence, perceived safety, self-presentation, engagement behaviors, social validation and dating intentions, this research strives to elucidate the intersection between professional self-presentation and personal motivations in a medium traditionally intended for career pursuit.

This study enriches the fields of marketing and social psychology by examining how users adapt and repurpose LinkedIn for purposes beyond its initial design. The results may unveil distinctive insights into how engagement behaviors within professional networks can either facilitate or hinder personal relationship aspirations, offering implications for platform designers and marketers striving to understand user motivations and behaviors in digital environments.

This research makes both theoretical and practical contributions. From an academic perspective, it complements the body of literature on multipurpose platform use22, shedding light on how individuals use LinkedIn as a social and dating tool in ways that defeat their intended purposes. Findings on trust and perceptions of safety can reinforce broader theoretical frameworks relating to self-presentation and social validation2,23, in professional contexts, providing a new lens to view social media dynamics. From a practical perspective, the insights gained from this research can help LinkedIn and similar platforms recognize unintended uses of their network, potentially informing strategies related to user experience, privacy measures, and engagement methodologies. Marketers and platform administrators can also gain valuable insight into how users’ dating intentions can influence engagement on LinkedIn, uncovering new opportunities for personalized content and interaction strategies that honor the platform’s professional ethos while adapting to diverse user requirements. These findings could guide practical developments such as redesigning user profiles to separate professional and personal signals, adjusting privacy settings to accommodate dual-use behavior, and developing new features that manage or moderate non-professional engagement while preserving user trust and platform integrity. These results provide a deeper understanding of user behavior in hybrid professional-social spaces and suggest how digital platforms might evolve to accommodate diverse user motivations while maintaining brand integrity.

In doing so, this study addresses a critical gap in the literature and highlights the evolving nature of professional platforms like LinkedIn, emphasizing their potential to serve complex social functions that blur the lines between career advancement and personal connection.

The article is structured as follows. First, we present an overview of the existing literature on LinkedIn. The following section defines the research hypotheses to be tested empirically. Next, we present the study undertaken to collect data from 331 LinkedIn users who engaged with the platform for dating purposes. Finally, we analyze the results, articulate the implications of the study and highlight limitations before proposing avenues for future research.

Literature review

LinkedIn: from professional networking to diverse social engagement

LinkedIn was launched in 2003 as a platform dedicated to professional networking, job search and career progression, and has rapidly established itself as a fundamental part of the digital landscape for professionals and organizations24. Unlike social media platforms that focus on personal relationships, such as Facebook and Instagram, LinkedIn’s primary essence is centered on cultivating a professional online persona, enabling users to build and maintain networks that facilitate career advancement and the exchange of sector knowledge25. The platform’s features, including mentions, recommendations and exposure of professional achievements, further reinforce LinkedIn’s focus on credibility and career-focused interactions26.

Nevertheless, as digital interactions transform, so do the methods by which users engage with LinkedIn.Contemporary research points to a transition in which LinkedIn is used for professional enhancement and broader social engagement, encompassing informal networking, knowledge dissemination, and even personal or social endeavors27. This transition reflects a broader trend within social media, in which users are adapting platforms to meet a wide range of needs beyond those initially envisaged by platform developers28. LinkedIn’s structured, professional environment paradoxically offers an attractive context for people seeking meaningful relationships, including potential romantic engagements, as it attracts a user population perceived as more reliable and accomplished29.

In this dynamic context, LinkedIn usage trends point to a growing convergence between professional and personal motivations, with some users investigating romantic interests within a framework conventionally linked to career-focused networking30. Understanding this multifaceted use provides essential insights into the fluidity of digital self-representation and elucidates how professional environments can unwittingly cultivate new forms of social interaction. This convergence redefines the boundaries of professional digital identity30 and prompts a re-examination of the social functions LinkedIn can support29. To further understand this evolving usage, it is important to situate LinkedIn within the broader context of dating behaviors on digital platforms, an area discussed in the following section.

Social media and dating intent: from general platforms to linkedin

The integration of dating intentions into social media use is becoming increasingly widespread, signifying a transformation in how individuals use digital platforms to cultivate personal relationships31. Social media and dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble and OkCupid have been explicitly designed to promote romantic interactions, allowing users to filter potential partners based on shared preferences and interests32. These platforms emphasize immediacy and accessibility, improving dating efficiency by offering users a simplified way to meet and connect. The appeal of these applications is fundamentally rooted in their interactive architecture, which resonates with the psychological imperatives of connection and validation.

Nevertheless, dating intentions are not limited to apps explicitly designed for this purpose. Empirical evidence indicates that users frequently reuse mainstream social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, to engage in romantic relationships, capitalizing on these platforms’ vast user populations and informal environments to establish connections33. This phenomenon illustrates the adaptability of users, who skillfully navigate and manipulate the platforms’ functionalities to fulfill their social and romantic aspirations in multiple ways34.

Although LinkedIn is primarily a professional networking site, it is no exception to this trend. Its emphasis on credibility and professional self-presentation unwittingly attracts users seeking substantial and potentially romantic relationships, differentiating it from more casual social media platforms12,23. LinkedIn is unique in this context because of its hybrid character, which offers both structured credibility and personal visibility. While some researchers have highlighted these emergent social uses, critical analysis is still lacking on how users reconcile professional decorum with personal motivations. To investigate this underexplored area, the following section lays out the conceptual constructs and theoretical frameworks used in this study to examine the overlap between professional engagement and dating intentions.

Construct definitions and conceptual foundations of the study

Perceived trustworthiness

Perceived trustworthiness refers to the extent to which individuals believe in the honesty, reliability, and authenticity of others’ behaviors or communications35. In digital environments, trust plays a dual role: platform trust reflects users’ confidence in the platform’s security, policies, and moderation, while interpersonal trust pertains to the credibility of other users within the platform. The latter is especially critical in social networking contexts, where interactions often occur without face-to-face validation36. On LinkedIn, interpersonal trust is shaped by various profile cues, including the quality of profile photos, the specificity of job titles, the number and diversity of connections, and visible endorsements or recommendations. These elements act as signals of professionalism and authenticity, helping users assess others’ credibility without physical interaction37. The platform’s features such as verified affiliations and structured career histories, further reinforce this perception38, encouraging users to engage more confidently. This perceived trustworthiness supports professional networking and may foster more personal or socially exploratory interactions39.

Self-presentation

Self-presentation involves a deliberate effort by individuals to influence how they are perceived by selectively sharing information that aligns with desired impressions23,40. This behavior adapts to different social or professional contexts, allowing individuals to highlight traits relevant to their audience41. In digital settings, and particularly on LinkedIn, self-presentation is strategically tailored to reflect professional identity. Users emphasize accomplishments, skills, and affiliations to align with the platform’s career-oriented objectives42. This aligns with Social Information Processing Theory43, which posits that users form interpersonal impressions through available cues in computer-mediated communication, gradually compensating for the lack of physical interaction. Unlike casual social media, LinkedIn encourages users to present themselves in ways that align with industry norms and expectations, aiming to attract professional connections, opportunities, and visibility26. This curated self-presentation supports LinkedIn’s networking function while also contributing to perceptions of users’ professional legitimacy.

Engagement with linkedin content

Engagement refers to the degree of interaction users exhibit with platform content, encompassing both active behaviors, such as liking, commenting, sharing, or creating posts and passive behaviors, like browsing or viewing profiles without visible interaction44. These engagement patterns are critical indicators of user interest, affiliation, and influence within digital communities45. On LinkedIn, engagement is often framed professionally, involving interactions with career updates, thought leadership posts, and industry-specific discussions46. However, the nature and frequency of such engagement can also reveal underlying intentions, including openness to forming more personal or romantic connections.

Active engagement, such as repeatedly liking or commenting on a specific user’s posts, initiating direct messages, or endorsing skills, can signal personalized interest that may go beyond purely professional motives. In contrast, passive engagement, such as frequent profile visits or content views without overt interaction, may suggest curiosity or cautious interest while preserving ambiguity around intent. Empirical research suggests that active engagement is positively associated with perceptions of trust and interpersonal attraction, as it demonstrates effort, responsiveness, and visibility47. Conversely, passive behaviors may foster intrigue but are less likely to build trust unless followed by more reciprocal or overt actions. On LinkedIn, where users typically maintain a professional front, subtle variations in engagement behavior may serve as coded signals of broader social or romantic openness, particularly when they deviate from normative patterns of platform use48.

Perceived safety

Perceived safety refers to an individual’s overall sense of protection from harm, whether emotional, informational, or physical, within a given environment49. In digital contexts, it comprises two key dimensions: emotional safety, which reflects users’ comfort in expressing themselves without fear of judgment or harassment, and platform-level data security, which relates to the safeguarding of personal and professional information50. While technical security features such as data encryption and privacy controls ensure informational safety, emotional safety is shaped more by the tone of interactions, platform norms, and the perceived risk of negative social consequences.

On LinkedIn, both aspects are critical. Users regularly share personal achievements, employment history, and aspirations information that could influence their professional identity and career trajectory15. LinkedIn fosters emotional and psychological safety through its professional framing and platform affordances, such as requiring mutual connections for direct messaging, visible activity logs, and profile transparency. These features act as social gatekeepers, reducing unwanted or inappropriate interactions and increasing users’ confidence in their control over network boundaries. Studies suggest that when users feel emotionally safe, they are more likely to engage meaningfully and explore broader forms of interaction, even those beyond strictly professional goals51. In this way, perceived safety not only underpins career-related activity but may also enable atypical uses of the platform, such as initiating more personal or socially exploratory connections in a context perceived as regulated and respectful.

Social validation

Social validation refers to the recognition, affirmation, or approval individuals receive from others, reinforcing their sense of identity, belonging, and social value52. While closely related to self-confidence, social validation operates externally as a reflection of others’ responses, whereas self-confidence arises from internal beliefs about one’s capabilities. In digital spaces, validation is expressed through platform-specific mechanisms such as likes, endorsements, comments, and shares, which serve as social cues that guide self-disclosure and interaction patterns53.

On LinkedIn, validation is strongly tied to professional identity through features like skills endorsements, public recommendations, and peer recognition54. These forms of engagement confirm users’ expertise and initiate a feedback loop: users who receive positive validation are more likely to engage further, disclose additional information, or present themselves more assertively. This cycle of affirmation and enhanced visibility can extend beyond professional motives. As users receive recognition, they may test the boundaries of the platform’s normative use by interpreting validation signals such as consistent attention or personalized comments as signs of affinity or romantic interest. In this way, validation can become a gateway to more personal engagement, influencing the willingness to explore informal or dating-related connections on an otherwise professional platform55.

Self-confidence

Self-confidence refers to an individual’s belief in their capabilities, judgment, and intrinsic value56. It significantly shapes digital behaviors and interpersonal decision-making, with more self-assured individuals generally demonstrating greater initiative in professional and social interactions57. In online settings, this trait is not static it is dynamically reinforced or challenged through feedback mechanisms such as endorsements, comments, and profile engagement55. On LinkedIn, self-confidence is often bolstered through professional recognition, including endorsements, peer validations, or attention from high-status network members54.

Importantly, expressions of self-confidence on LinkedIn can be influenced by gender and perceived professional hierarchy. Research suggests that men may exhibit greater confidence in self-promotion, while women, particularly in male-dominated fields, may temper their assertiveness to conform to social expectations or avoid perceived backlash (e.g., backlash avoidance theory). Similarly, junior professionals may hesitate to engage visibly with senior figures out of deference to status hierarchies, which could moderate how and when self-confidence is externally displayed.

A novel dimension emerges when elevated self-confidence fuels engagement that subtly crosses into more personal domains. Unlike traditional dating apps, where interactions are rapid and quantity-driven, LinkedIn offers a context of credibility, depth, and shared professional values and qualities that may appeal to users seeking more intentional or discerning romantic connections. Here, trust, authenticity and profile transparency serve as proxies for reliability, potentially positioning LinkedIn as a lower-noise, higher-quality alternative to mainstream dating platforms. However, pursuing romantic interests on LinkedIn may carry social risks. Users often navigate internalized platform norms and fear stigmatization for “misusing” a professional space. This tension fosters a careful calibration of behaviors where self-confidence might motivate outreach, but the fear of reputational consequences tempers overt romantic signaling. Thus, the decision to explore non-professional interactions is often a nuanced negotiation between self-assurance, perceived reciprocity, and the safety of the platform’s professional ethos58.

Dating intent

The concept of dating intention encompasses the underlying motivation or aspiration to engage in romantic relationships, which is primarily observable on platforms specifically designed for dating purposes59. In general, the manifestation of dating intention is shaped by the platform’s architectural design, its users’ expectations and the degree of trust and safety perceived in the surrounding environment. In the context of LinkedIn, dating intention is atypical but emerges gradually, as users occasionally use the platform’s networking framework to foster personal or romantic connections60. Although LinkedIn primarily focuses on professional interactions, the trustworthiness and credibility associated with users’ profiles make it attractive to people seeking relationships founded on authenticity61. As a result, dating intentions on LinkedIn may be shaped by perceptions of trustworthiness, safety and self-presentation, illustrating a sophisticated adaptation of social behaviors within a professional setting. Table 1 summarizes the key constructs of and related variables of the study.

While dating behaviors on general social media and dating apps are well studied, little is known about how users engage with LinkedIn for romantic purposes. This study fills that gap by exploring the drivers behind dating intent on a platform designed for professional use. As personal and professional lives increasingly overlap online, understanding this shift is timely and relevant.

Hypothesis development and proposed conceptual framework

This section seeks to elucidate the theoretical framework that undergirds the present investigation and to delineate the hypotheses that emerge from pertinent theoretical constructs. Informed by self-presentation theory, self-determination theory, and impression management theory, the framework scrutinizes how LinkedIn, customarily perceived as a professional networking site, may function as a conduit for personal and romantic relationships. In particular, the interrelations among self-presentation, content engagement, social validation, self-efficacy, and dating intentions are thoroughly analyzed. Each subsection provides a comprehensive justification for these proposed associations, leveraging existing scholarly literature and empirical evidence to substantiate the formulation of testable hypotheses.

Perceived trustworthiness and perceived safety

Perceived trustworthiness refers to how individuals believe others are reliable, credible, and ethical. It plays a pivotal role in online interactions, as users must often rely on indirect cues, such as profile quality or endorsements, to assess the trustworthiness of others in the absence of face-to-face interactions62. Trustworthiness in online environments is critical for reducing uncertainties, as it gives users the confidence that they can rely on others’ words, actions, and information, lowering the perceived risks of interacting with unfamiliar individuals.

In the context of LinkedIn, perceived trustworthiness holds significant weight due to the platform’s focus on professional networking and the sensitive nature of the information shared, including career achievements and personal qualifications18. Features such as verified profiles, endorsements, mutual connections, and professional recommendations serve as important trust signals, enhancing users’ confidence in the integrity of others on the platform. When trustworthiness is high, users are more likely to feel secure, mitigating concerns regarding privacy, data misuse, or misrepresentation63. As such, trustworthiness is an antecedent of perceived safety within the platform. In this context, perceived safety refers to users’ sense of emotional security, which allows them to interact with others freely and without fear of harm, including concerns about privacy breaches or inappropriate behavior.

While perceived safety broadly captures users’ feelings of security in an online environment, it is conceptually distinct from trustworthiness. Perceived safety includes trust in others and the assurance provided by platform regulations, user behaviors, and structural safeguards. It is shaped by trustworthiness and the platform’s technological features that ensure privacy and security. Thus, trustworthiness is a foundational element contributing to users’ overall perceived safety.

Based on the theoretical framework, trust is a critical driver of safety in digital contexts, where trustworthiness directly alleviates anxiety about potential risks. Trust Theory64 supports this view by suggesting that when individuals trust others, they feel more secure in their interactions, reducing concerns about exploitation or harm. In the case of LinkedIn, this relationship suggests that as users perceive others as trustworthy, their sense of safety and security increases, which, in turn, encourages more open interaction and self-disclosure. Therefore, it is hypothesized:

H1

Perceived Trustworthiness positively affects Perceived Safety in LinkedIn use.

Perceived safety and dating intention

Perceived safety is pivotal in shaping user engagement in digital environments, especially when individuals disclose personal or sensitive information. Safety perceptions are crucial, as they assure users that their interactions and data will remain secure, thus mitigating fears of exploitation, harassment, or exposure to potential risks65. In online platforms, especially those facilitating social exchanges, users are more likely to engage in deeper interactions, including personal and even romantic connections, when they believe their safety is ensured66.

From the perspective of Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT)67, users actively seek platforms that fulfill specific needs and gratifications, such as social interaction, entertainment, or personal connections. In the context of LinkedIn, a platform traditionally seen as a professional network, perceived safety is key in shaping users’ willingness to explore more personal connections, including romantic intentions. UGT suggests that individuals will navigate toward deeper interactions, including romantic pursuits, if they believe that the platform satisfies their needs for security and meaningful engagement. The enhanced sense of safety allows users to pursue connections without the same level of fear or anxiety often associated with more casual social media platforms or dating apps. The unique characteristics of LinkedIn, such as its professional ethos, real-identity verification, and mutual connection gatekeeping, contribute to a secure environment. These features foster a sense of credibility and trust, which might support professional networking and facilitate the emergence of personal or romantic engagements. For example, users may be more inclined to view LinkedIn as a space where connections are based on genuine, verifiable identities, reducing the potential for misrepresentation and enhancing overall trust in the platform.

Furthermore, social exchange theory supports the idea that when users perceive less risk, they are more likely to seek professional or romantic relationships because they feel confident that their interactions are less likely to expose them to harm or exploitation. By mitigating fears related to privacy and data misuse, LinkedIn’s emphasis on security and professionalism may encourage users to explore more personal connections, including dating, in a manner that would be less likely on platforms that do not offer the same sense of security68. Thus, the hypothesis can be formulated as follows:

H2

Perceived safety positively affects dating intention in the context of LinkedIn use.

Self-presentation and dating intention

Self-presentation is a critical strategy in online interactions, particularly when individuals aim to influence how others perceive them. It involves deliberately managing one’s online identity to showcase traits thought to enhance attractiveness or appeal to specific audiences69. This is especially important on platforms like LinkedIn, where users typically focus on displaying their professional expertise and career achievements. However, when individuals are interested in forming personal or romantic connections, their approach to self-presentation becomes more nuanced and strategic, adapting to the platform’s professional context while subtly signaling traits that may be attractive in a romantic relationship70.

To illustrate, LinkedIn users may not directly advertise romantic intent but instead employ strategic ambiguity, a form of self-presentation where individuals craft their profiles in ways that allow for multiple interpretations. For example, by including a mix of professional success and personal interests, such as hobbies, volunteer work, or informal photographs, users can communicate approachability and warmth, subtly signaling their openness to forming personal connections. This can be seen as code-switching, where individuals shift between professional and personal identities depending on the interaction context71. Hence, while LinkedIn is designed primarily for professional networking, users may craft their profiles to suggest they are also open to developing relationships beyond the professional sphere.

Research on strategic ambiguity in self-presentation demonstrates that individuals often engage in this practice on platforms not traditionally associated with dating. For example72, found that users who present themselves with both professional competence and personal characteristics are more likely to attract romantic interest, even on platforms like LinkedIn that emphasize professional networking. Similarly73, highlighted how users could subtly modify their LinkedIn profiles by including personal hobbies, casual language, or humor to appeal to potential romantic partners without overtly disrupting the platform’s professional tone.

These modifications allow users to create a professional and relatable profile, signaling an openness to deeper, personal connections. As such, self-presentation on LinkedIn may significantly enhance users’ dating aspirations by highlighting attributes valued in potential romantic relationships, such as warmth, humor, and common interests. By strategically curating a more multifaceted profile, users increase their chances of drawing romantic interest within the professional network despite the platform’s primary focus on career-oriented connections. As a result, we propose the following hypothesis:

H3

Self-presentation positively affects users’ dating intentions on LinkedIn when it aligns with traits valued in potential romantic relationships.

Engagement with linkedin content and dating intention

Engagement with content on LinkedIn through actions such as liking, commenting, sharing, and posting goes beyond enhancing professional credibility; it also signals an individual’s openness to deeper interactions. Engagement behaviors on LinkedIn, such as liking and commenting, can subtly signal openness and approachability beyond professional intent. These actions may foster parasocial interactions, creating a sense of familiarity. As part of impression management, such engagement can influence how users are perceived and may open the door to more personal or romantic connections (Chandler et al., 2021)74. On LinkedIn, content engagement allows users to actively participate in the network, contributing to visibility and perceived approachability. While professional achievements and career-related content typically dominate the platform, engagement with content can also subtly indicate availability for personal connections, including dating, by revealing personality traits, interests, and social behaviors beyond professional goals75.

This dynamic can be explained through the lens of impression management, where individuals consciously manage how they present themselves online to influence how others perceive them. By actively engaging with content, users can shape their online persona to appear more approachable, friendly, and willing to connect on a more personal level. Engagement behaviors like responding thoughtfully to posts or sharing personal insights may signal openness and vulnerability, traits often appreciated in romantic relationships74. Parasocial interactions, which refer to the one-sided relationships that users feel they develop with content creators or those they follow on social media, also play a role here. Individuals engaging with content may foster a sense of familiarity or closeness with others, making them seem more available for deeper, personal interactions76. Over time, these interactions can create trust and connection beyond professional boundaries and encourage relationship development, including romantic intentions.

Empirical studies have further substantiated that engagement behaviors on platforms like LinkedIn can positively influence attraction. Research has shown that users who frequently interact with content through likes, comments, or shares are often viewed as more approachable, likable, and visible, qualities that can encourage romantic connections and professional networking77. For instance, a user who engages with others’ posts on topics of shared interest or comments on content witty or thoughtfully may signal an openness to deeper social interactions, which could naturally extend to dating.

Given this, we hypothesize the following:

H4

Engagement with LinkedIn content is positively related to dating intention in the context of LinkedIn use.

Social validation and self-confidence

Social validation encompasses the affirmative reinforcement individuals receive from peers, typically expressed through likes, comments, endorsements, and other visible forms of public acknowledgment52. In digital contexts, such validation signals acceptance, esteem, and belonging within one’s social circle and plays a pivotal role in shaping self-concept78. This external feedback satisfies a basic psychological need for relatedness, reinforcing individuals’ sense of social integration and positively influencing self-perception.

Drawing on Self-Determination Theory (SDT)79, which posits that human motivation is driven by the fulfillment of three core psychological needs: competence, relatedness, and autonomy, social validation serves as a powerful external resource for reinforcing the internal sense of competence and relatedness. When individuals receive recognition from others, such as endorsements on LinkedIn, they experience a boost in perceived competence and social worth. This external affirmation, when internalized, fuels intrinsic motivation and bolsters self-confidence, especially in contexts where social cues and peer feedback shape identity and behavior.

On LinkedIn, social validation is prominently manifested through profile endorsements, personalized recommendations, meaningful comments, and consistent interaction with user-generated content25. These visible markers of approval affirm users’ professional skills and influence their perceived desirability and relevance within both professional and personal spheres. Users feel empowered to participate more confidently and assertively by receiving acknowledgment from their network, reflecting heightened self-assurance and self-efficacy80.

Empirical findings underscore that social validation contributes to self-confidence by reinforcing individuals’ belief in their value and capabilities81. In this regard, validation serves a dual function: it satisfies the intrinsic psychological need for belonging and simultaneously strengthens users’ confidence in articulating their identity both professionally and personally within the platform’s environment. Accordingly, we propose the following hypothesis:

H5

Social validation positively affects self-confidence in the context of LinkedIn use.

Self-confidence and dating intention

Self-confidence, broadly defined as the general belief in one’s abilities, worth, and social competence, plays a crucial role in shaping interpersonal behavior and pursuing personal goals82. Importantly, self-confidence can be conceptualized along two dimensions: trait self-confidence, which reflects a stable, enduring belief in one’s abilities across contexts, and situational self-efficacy, which pertains to confidence in a specific domain or environment, such as one’s perceived effectiveness in a professional networking platform like LinkedIn.

On LinkedIn, situational self-efficacy may be enhanced through platform-specific reinforcements such as job promotions, skill endorsements, profile visits, or positive engagement with shared content. These mechanisms can provide concrete feedback that affirms users’ professional competence, which may, in turn, elevate their self-assurance in broader social contexts. Unlike platforms designed for casual interaction (e.g., Instagram or Facebook), LinkedIn’s validation mechanisms often carry a degree of credibility and prestige, potentially generating a deeper sense of self-worth and social capital.

This situationally elevated self-confidence can influence behaviors beyond professional networking. Users who feel empowered by their visibility, achievements, and recognition on LinkedIn may be more inclined to transcend strictly professional boundaries and initiate personal or romantic interactions. Empirical evidence supports the notion that higher self-confidence is associated with a greater willingness to pursue romantic opportunities and a lower fear of social rejection47. In digital settings, this translates into increased readiness to engage, connect, and explore intimacy, even on platforms not explicitly designed for such purposes19.

Thus, the specific context of LinkedIn, with its formal validation cues and status markers, may foster a unique form of self-efficacy that reinforces users’ perceived social desirability and emboldens them to consider and act upon romantic intentions. Accordingly, we propose the following hypothesis:

H6

Self-confidence positively affects dating intention in the context of LinkedIn use.

The proposed hypotheses were used to develop the research model shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Conceptual model.

Full size image

Methodology

Sample and data collection

To substantiate our theoretical framework, we employed a hypothetico-deductive methodology, which is particularly effective for empirically examining theory-driven hypotheses. This methodological approach facilitates the systematic exploration of causal relationships that stem from theoretical constructs. The purview of this investigation permitted us to analyze the determinants of dating intention on LinkedIn, which is grounded in established theoretical paradigms such as self-determination theory, self-presentation theory, and impression management theory. These theoretical frameworks guided the formulation of hypotheses pertaining to self-presentation, content engagement, social validation, and self-confidence.

LinkedIn was selected as the research context due to its transformative role, extending beyond a professional networking platform. Historically linked to employment and industry affiliations, LinkedIn has experienced a discernible shift towards personal expression and social interaction. These evolving dynamics present a distinctive opportunity to investigate how romantic or dating intentions manifest within a professional milieu, particularly among users who integrate career-oriented identity with personal branding. For the objectives of this research, dating intention is defined as the users’ willingness to initiate or pursue romantic interactions through the platform. This encompasses behaviors such as romantic messaging, strategic enhancements of personal profiles, recurrent engagement with particular users, and the readiness to transition interactions from online communication to offline encounters for purposes extending beyond professional collaboration.

Data were acquired through an online survey disseminated via LinkedIn. We utilized multiple-item scales adapted from validated sources and employed a five-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree) to assess constructs of interest. To ascertain participant relevance, a screening question was incorporated at the commencement of the survey: “Have you ever utilized LinkedIn, at any point, to engage with someone with the intention or hope of fostering a romantic or dating connection?” Only respondents who provided an affirmative answer were permitted to advance, concentrating the sample exclusively on individuals with relevant experiences.

A non-random convenience sampling technique was utilized. In accordance with guidelines advocating for 10 responses per observable variable for structural equation modeling, our target sample size was established at 330. We successfully garnered responses from 331 LinkedIn users. Nonetheless, this approach is accompanied by inherent limitations. Self-selection bias may have impacted participation, as individuals more inclined to discuss dating behaviors on LinkedIn might have been disproportionately represented among survey completers. As a result, the generalizability of the findings is constrained, and interpretations should be contextualized within this sampling limitation. Descriptive statistics were compiled to provide augmented context. The sample comprised 67% female (N = 202) and 33% male (N = 129), with participant ages spanning from 22 to 54 years (M = 31.7, SD = 6.4). Participants hailed from a diverse array of employment sectors, including technology (28%), marketing and communications (22%), education (18%), healthcare (12%), and various other fields (20%). Regarding geographic distribution, respondents were situated in Tunisia.

All procedures were executed in adherence to ethical research standards. Informed consent was secured from all participants, and the study obtained ethical approval from the doctoral school’s ethics committee, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations and safeguarding participant rights. Furthermore, multiple-item measures were employed to enhance construct validity and internal consistency. In addition, a neutral midpoint in the Likert scale further allowed participants to express indifference or uncertainty, helping to capture more nuanced attitudes.

All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. The study protocols were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Higher Institute of Management, Sousse, Tunisia. Informed consent was obtained from all study participants.

Data analysis

Data analysis was undertaken utilizing IBM SPSS Statistics 29 alongside SmartPLS 4. SPSS facilitated the generation of descriptive statistics, the evaluation of data quality, and the examination of the reliability of constructs through Cronbach’s Alphas. This initial analysis assured internal consistency and verified that the assumptions about data distribution were sufficiently satisfied. Subsequently, SmartPLS 4 was utilized to execute Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The measurement model was scrutinized for reliability and validity, which was followed by an assessment of the structural model to evaluate the hypothesized relationships and the explanatory power of the model. PLS-SEM was selected as a preference to covariance-based SEM due to its appropriateness for smaller sample sizes, adaptability to complex models, and capacity to accommodate non-normally distributed data. Considering the exploratory nature of our investigation and its emphasis on predictive analysis, PLS-SEM presented a sound and fitting methodological approach.

Measurement scales

The measurement items, delineated in Table 2 alongside their original references, were meticulously modified to correspond with the professional and Social intricacies inherent to LinkedIn. Terminology was altered to encapsulate platform-specific interactions to guarantee contextual appropriateness. The ultimate instrument comprised six constructs encompassing 33 items, sourced and adapted from validated scales utilized in previous investigations. The scale measuring Perceived Trustworthiness, consisting of three items, was adapted from the work of Ohanian (1990)84. For Perceived Safety, we employed a 5-item scale developed by Weng et al. (2017)85, ensuring relevance and reliability. Self-presentation was assessed using a 10-item scale derived from Wright et al. (2017)86 research, while Engagement with LinkedIn Content was measured with a three-item scale adapted from So et al. (2012)87. To capture Social Validation, we applied a 5-item scale sourced from Duradoni et al. (2023)53. Self-Confidence was measured using the Altmann et Roth (2018)88 scale, which includes four items, and finally, Dating Intent was assessed with a 3-item scale based on the validated work of Kawamoto (2015)89. A preliminary test involving 25 LinkedIn users was executed to enhance item clarity, contextual relevance, and response consistency. Informed by feedback, minor adjustments were implemented to augment comprehensibility and ensure alignment with cultural and platform-specific standards. Reliability will be determined utilizing Cronbach’s Alpha and Composite Reliability (CR), while convergent and discriminant validity will be scrutinized via Average Variance Extracted (AVE) and the Fornell–Larcker criterion during PLS-SEM analysis.

Table 1 Summary of key constructs, related variables, and linkedIn-specific interpretations.
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Results

Assessment of the measurement model

To assess the robustness of the measurement model, we undertook a thorough evaluation of convergent and discriminant validity in accordance with the protocols established by Hair et al. (2021)90. Convergent validity was scrutinized by analyzing item-level factor loadings, composite reliability (CR), and average variance extracted (AVE). All constructs exhibited satisfactory internal consistency, with CR values ranging from 0.835 to 0.936 and AVE values surpassing the 0.50 benchmark. This indicates that the constructs explain more than half of the variance in their respective indicators. Also, all standardized loadings surpassed the requisite 0.60 thresholds. Table 2 comprehensively summarizes the constructs, the number of items retained, Cronbach’s Alpha, CR, and AVE values. We employed the Fornell-Larcker criterion and the heterotrait-monotrait (HTMT) ratio to evaluate discriminant validity. Table 3 demonstrates that the square root of each construct’s AVE exceeded its correlations with other constructs, thereby affirming discriminant validity. Moreover, HTMT values mentioned in Table 4 ranged from 0.142 to 0.916, with most values significantly below the suggested 0.850 threshold, further corroborating that the majority of constructs are conceptually and empirically distinct. Only self-presentation and self-confidence seem related, albeit marginally, and the stronger Fornell-Larcker criterion ruled out any lack of discriminant validity. Overall, the results provide substantial evidence of the convergent and discriminant validity of our measurement framework.

Table 2 Measurement scales CR, Cronbach’s Alpha and AVE.
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Table 3 Heterotrait-monotrait correlation table.
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Table 4 Heterotrait-monotrait correlation table.
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Cross-loadings were also analyzed to ensure that each item exhibited a stronger loading on its designated construct than on any alternative construct. These findings substantiate the reliability and validity of the measurement model, thereby providing a robust foundation for the subsequent structural model analysis.

Assessment of the structural model

To assess the explanatory and predictive capabilities of the structural model, we analyzed the coefficient of determination (R²) and predictive relevance (Q²), as per the guidance provided by Hair et al. (2021)90. R² metrics signify the degree to which independent variables explain the variance present in each dependent construct. In the current investigation, dating intention (R² = 0.147), perceived safety (R² = 0.272), and self-confidence (R² = 0.392) all surpassed the suggested threshold of 0.10, indicating a range of weak to moderate explanatory capability. The predictive relevance was evaluated utilizing the Stone-Geisser Q² statistic. All constructs exhibited Q² values exceeding 0.10, implying that the model possesses sufficient predictive relevance90. Specifically, the Q² values were 0.123 for dating intention, 0.218 for perceived safety, and 0.307 for self-confidence. These findings substantiate the structural model’s capacity to effectively predict and elucidate the variance in critical outcomes without exaggerating its predictive efficacy.

The SRMR values for the saturated model (0.121) and the estimated model (0.226) exceed the commonly accepted threshold of 0.08, indicating a suboptimal model fit91. While the overall structural relationships were statistically significant, these SRMR results suggest that future studies should explore potential model refinements to reduce discrepancy and improve overall fit.

We calculated the Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) values for all constructs included in the structural model to assess potential multicollinearity among predictor variables. Table 5 shows that VIF values ranged between 1.071 (Perceived Safety 5) and 3.265 (Self-Presentation 3), well below the commonly accepted threshold of 5.0. This indicates that multicollinearity does not pose a concern in our model and that the predictors are sufficiently independent. These results reinforce the robustness of our structural relationships despite the moderate bivariate correlations observed in Table 3.

Table 5 The variance inflation factor (VIF).
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Hypothesis testing

We conducted path analysis using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to rigorously evaluate our structural model and test the proposed hypotheses. Hypothesis testing was performed via bootstrapping with 5,000 resamples, a standard approach in PLS-SEM90. Relationships were considered statistically significant if the corresponding t-statistics exceeded 1.96 and p-values were below 0.0592. As shown in Table 6, all hypothesized relationships were supported at the 1% significance level. For instance, Perceived Trustworthiness and Perceived Safety (β = 0.521, t = 9.962, p < 0.001) showed a strong and positive association. Interestingly, Self-Confidence and Dating Intention revealed a significant adverse effect (β = −0.974, t = 4.317, p < 0.001), indicating that self-confidence strongly halts the intention to use LinkedIn for dating decreases. Conversely, Engagement with LinkedIn Content is more positively predictive of Dating Intention (β = 0.806, t = 3.611, p < 0.001) while Social Validation positively affects Self-Confidence (β = 0.626, t = 13.870, p < 0.001), emphasizing the psychological mechanisms through which social interaction features may influence user behavior. Although of lower magnitude, the relationships between Perceived Safety and Dating Intent (β = 0.210, t = 3.166, p < 0.01) as well as Self-Presentation and Dating Intent (β = 0.244, t = 3.079, p < 0.01) were also positive and significant, but engagement with LinkedIn Content appears as the primordial predictor of Dating Intent.

Table 6 Hypothesis testing results.
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To enhance the interpretability of our structural model, Fig. 2 presents a path diagram summarizing the relationships between constructs. This visual representation confirms the significance and directionality of all hypothesized paths in the model.

Fig. 2
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Conceptual model with the results.

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Discussion of the results

Trust and safety as foundational catalysts

Our research findings substantiate that trust and safety constitute essential pillars for users’ receptiveness to non-professional interactions on LinkedIn. The positive relationship identified between Perceived Trustworthiness and Perceived Safety bolsters existing scholarship that underscores trust as a fundamental element in digital engagements63,93. Users who regard LinkedIn profiles as credible concurrently experience a heightened sense of safety on the platform, which is an indispensable prerequisite when contemplating alternative applications such as romantic pursuits. Moreover, Perceived Safety is also positively related to Dating Intent, indicating that users who experience a sense of security are more predisposed to partake in romantic explorations. These findings align with prior investigations into online dating contexts17, while also suggesting that safety indicators derived from professionalism can serve as informal markers of credibility within romantic settings, highlighting a compelling intersection between career-oriented trust and interpersonal openness.

Presentation and intent: the dual role of self-presentation

The impact of Self-Presentation on Dating Intent highlights the intentional curation of identity, as posited by Impression Management Theory23,40. Individuals who optimize their LinkedIn profiles may concurrently partake in subtle signaling behaviors that augment personal visibility beyond mere professional purposes. This observation is consistent with Hollenbaugh’s41 research and corroborates the hypothesis that individuals may navigate professional and romantic identity objectives through meticulously curated content.

In contrast to conventional dating platforms where self-presentation is explicitly romantic or aesthetically driven, LinkedIn facilitates a more sophisticated form of impression management, which may enhance its attractiveness to individuals in search of partners whose values, educational backgrounds, or career trajectories are congruent with their own.

Engagement and motivation: likes, comments, and courtship cues

The strong magnitude of the link between Engagement with LinkedIn Content and Dating Intent elucidates the social affordances inherent in interactive behaviors. According to the Uses and Gratifications Theory, individuals proactively engage with digital platforms to satisfy needs in this instance, signaling their availability or receptiveness to romantic advances through likes and comments27. This revelation accentuates that engagement operates as both a visibility enhancer and a social indicator, thereby augmenting the individual’s potential for relational development.

Furthermore, these actions may be construed as low-risk demonstrations of interest within a professional context, where overt expressions of flirtation might be socially frowned upon. Consequently, engagement emerges as a subtle courtship strategy enabled by LinkedIn’s distinctive amalgamation of public exposure and professional etiquette.

Self-perception dynamics and the confidence paradox

In alignment with theoretical predictions, Social Validation exhibited a positive effect on Self-Confidence, which is consistent with scholarly literature indicating that external acknowledgment enhances internal validation53. Affirmations, such as endorsements, likes, and profile views, function as digital validations that augment users’ self-perception, particularly within a platform that emphasizes achievement and competence.

Conversely, the observed negative correlation between Self-Confidence and Dating Intent presents a fascinating paradox. While self-confidence generally correlates with increased social initiative and approach behavior56, our results imply that an elevated sense of self-confidence may diminish users’ inclination to pursue romantic engagements on LinkedIn. This seemingly paradoxical outcome can be interpreted through the frameworks of Role Conflict Theory and Identity Theory, which contend that individuals navigate distinct social roles that may not coexist seamlessly. For individuals with high self-assurance levels, LinkedIn may symbolize a sanctified “professional identity space” where romantic interactions are misaligned with their self-concept. Alternatively, confident individuals may opt to date in more specialized or overtly romantic environments, perceiving LinkedIn as a territory primarily dedicated to reputation management and professional advancement.

Contrasting research has demonstrated that confidence generally facilitates the initiation of romantic interactions in online contexts, thereby highlighting a significant tension within platform dynamics: the identical psychological attribute confidence can yield divergent behavioral consequences contingent upon the perceived norms of the platform.

Past research also highlighted diverse forms of “confidence”. For example, Alexopoulos and Timmermans94framed it as “romantic confidence”, a specific subset of confidence – which may differ from “self-confidence” - relating to an individual’s perception of their own romantic desirability. They found that this construct was psychologically and behaviorally key to initiating romantic contacts. Another study usually cited to justify the influence of self-confidence on online dating services use is Kim et al.94. Interestingly, the study aims to study the influence of self-esteem while using an actual self-confidence measurement scale consisting of Rosenberg’s self-esteem measure, which encompasses items pertaining to self-confidence. These intricate findings warrant further investigation into how professional self-concept influences personal behavior across hybrid platforms.

Study implications

Theoretical implications

This research contributes significantly to the expanding corpus of scholarly literature concerning the multifaceted application of digital platforms by presenting an innovative empirical examination of LinkedIn’s inadvertent function as a facilitator of romantic relationships. While existing studies have scrutinized the non-professional applications of LinkedIn, such as social networking and personal branding30, no one has systematically investigated how users navigate romantic aspirations within a platform primarily intended for career advancement. By concentrating on constructs such as trust, safety, self-presentation, content engagement, and self-confidence, this inquiry addresses a critical lacuna in comprehending the intersection of professional digital ecosystems with personal and romantic conduct. Specifically, the investigation delineates trust as a crucial antecedent and safety as a crucial mediator influencing users’ receptiveness to romantic interactions on LinkedIn, thereby extending the applicability of Social Identity Theory and Signaling Theory into an innovative context. Within professional environments, trust operates not solely as a prerequisite for networking but also as an indicator of integrity and reliability, which users may leverage to evaluate the feasibility of romantic pursuits. The perception of trustworthiness amplifies feelings of safety, legitimizing the platform as an environment where intimate exchanges can be tentatively explored. These dynamics contrast with platforms such as Tinder or Facebook, where the delineation between roles is nonexistent or distinctly romantic.

Furthermore, our findings prove that self-presentation and engagement behaviors, conventionally associated with career advancement, are repurposed as implicit signals of dating intent. Utilizing Platform Affordances Theory, LinkedIn’s structural characteristics, which are curated profile information, endorsements, and visibility metrics, facilitate a distinctive mode of interaction that amalgamates personal branding with potential personal signaling. This highlights how users strategically maneuver through the affordances of a professional platform to investigate personal interests, frequently under the pretext of career-focused networking.

One of the most fascinating contributions of this study resides in the unanticipated inverse relationship between self-confidence and dating intent. While extant literature posits that elevated self-confidence correlates with increased social initiative and interpersonal engagement82, our findings interrogate this presumption within LinkedIn. This paradox invites a more profound theoretical exploration. We propose that Role Conflict Theory and Boundary Theory offer plausible elucidations: individuals with high self-confidence may encounter more pronounced cognitive boundaries between their professional and romantic identities, prompting them to eschew behaviors that could amalgamate these roles or compromise their professional image. Rather than leveraging LinkedIn to satisfy relational needs, these users might seek alternative platforms where personal expression is less likely to intersect with professional self-representation.

This dynamic necessitates a reevaluation of the role of self-confidence in digital courtship behaviors, particularly across platforms characterized by disparate functional norms and identity expectations. Our study elucidates that in contexts with a heightened degree of role salience, such as LinkedIn, self-confidence may function as a deterrent rather than a catalyst for romantic engagement, challenging established theories regarding digital intimacy e.g., 93,94.

Managerial implications

From a managerial perspective, the results derived from this investigation provide pivotal insights into platform architects and marketers striving to enhance their comprehension of and adaptability to the dynamic utilization of LinkedIn. While LinkedIn is predominantly acknowledged as a professional networking platform, our findings indicate that users increasingly engage with it for many motivations, encompassing social and relational interests. The pronounced impact of perceived trust and safety on dating intentions underscores the robustness of LinkedIn’s existing framework in cultivating an atmosphere wherein users experience a sense of security and authenticity, even amidst non-professional interactions. This observation implies an opportunity for platform administrators to sustain and bolster these trust-centric mechanisms, not necessarily to endorse romantic interactions directly but to uphold a user experience that accommodates diverse behaviors without undermining professional integrity. Our findings further accentuate the significance of self-confidence as a moderating variable, wherein individuals with greater self-assurance exhibit a diminished propensity to engage in romantic signaling on LinkedIn. This challenges conventional assumptions that posit a universal correlation between elevated self-confidence and social engagement and instead highlights a nuanced self-regulatory process influenced by contextual factors and platform norms. Such revelations prompt researchers to investigate the interplay between personality traits and platform affordances, such as profile visibility, post engagement, and networking capabilities. Enhanced comprehension of these interactions could facilitate the refinement of user experiences tailored for distinct behavioral profiles, particularly by providing optional controls that empower users to customize how they represent themselves and how others interpret their intentions. Furthermore, these findings significantly affect marketers functioning within the LinkedIn ecosystem. Acknowledging that user engagement transcends the realm of career progression, marketers can devise more resonant campaigns by recognizing the extensive array of user motivations, including identity construction, validation, and social connectivity. By aligning brand narratives with these foundational motivations while adhering to professional standards, marketers can amplify the emotional resonance and efficacy of their content. Nonetheless, these prospects are accompanied by ethical obligations. As platform functionalities evolve, it is imperative to ensure that new affordances, such as intent signaling or enhanced privacy settings, remain strictly opt-in, transparent, and considerate of workplace dynamics. Facilitating broader user engagement must not compromise the platform’s fundamental mission or users’ perceptions of professional safety. In this manner, LinkedIn can continue catering to its expanding and heterogeneous user demographic while preserving the boundaries delineating its distinctive value proposition.

Limitations and future research avenues

This scholarly investigation provides significant insights into the factors that affect dating intentions on LinkedIn; nonetheless, it is essential to acknowledge several limitations inherent in the study. The utilization of convenience sampling imposes constraints on the generalizability of the results. Although endeavors were undertaken to enlist a heterogeneous cohort of LinkedIn users, the sample may not sufficiently encapsulate variations across age demographics or professional sectors, particularly in domains where the demarcation between personal and professional identities is more stringent. Furthermore, self-reported data may be susceptible to social desirability bias, particularly given the platform’s professional orientation. Participants may understate or misrepresent their personal intentions, especially dating-related ones, to align with perceived norms or expectations of the platform. This phenomenon could lead to underreporting and distorting the true prevalence of such behaviors.

The cross-sectional design of the study further constrains its capacity to establish causal relationships. By capturing a singular snapshot of users’ attitudes and behaviors at one point in time, it fails to account for the potential fluctuations in dating intentions that may arise due to alterations in users’ professional trajectories, life stages, or platform functionalities. Longitudinal research endeavors would be advantageous to observe the evolution of such intentions and how external or personal developments influence them over time.

Moreover, while the study concentrated on constructs such as trust, safety, and self-confidence, it neglected several potentially influential variables. Demographic factors such as age and gender, for example, may play a pivotal role in determining how users navigate the intersection of professional and social realms. Younger individuals or specific gender cohorts may be more willing to merge personal and professional interactions, reflecting generational or cultural divergences in digital behavior. Subsequent studies could systematically investigate these demographic influences. Additionally, the modality of access, whether through a mobile application or a desktop website, was not considered, despite its potential impact on user experience and behavior. Mobile interfaces typically foster more frequent, spontaneous, and informal interactions, which may correlate with an increased likelihood of personal engagement, encompassing romantic or social exploration. Examining how access modality interacts with user intentions would provide a more nuanced understanding of behavioral patterns on LinkedIn. Moreover, platform-specific features merit further scrutiny. Attributes such as endorsements, mentions, profile visibility settings, and premium membership benefits may subtly influence how users perceive others and how they present themselves. Future research could operationalize these affordances to assess their role in facilitating or impeding personal connections. Additionally, the incorporation of psychological constructs such as social anxiety, attachment style, or the salience of professional identity could yield richer explanations for individual variances in dating intentions and boundary management.

Addressing these limitations through more sophisticated, longitudinal, and multi-dimensional methodologies would substantially augment our comprehension of LinkedIn as a hybrid platform. Such an approach would assist scholars in elucidating the intricate ways users balance personal and professional aspirations within digitally mediated environments and provide insights for platform developers and marketers regarding the design of features and strategies that honor diverse user expectations while maintaining the integrity of professional networking.