Why Coworking Belongs on LinkedIn
At FLOC, we represent the next generation of coworking professionals. We are operators, marketers, designers, strategists, and founders. We are shaping the future of work, not as a side hustle or a stepping stone, but as a long-term, purpose-driven career. And yet, every time we update our LinkedIn profiles or try to explain what we do, we run into the same problem.
Coworking is still not listed as an industry.
Instead, we are forced to choose from options like Real Estate, Hospitality, or Facilities Services. These are adjacent, but they miss the mark. They do not reflect the unique nature of the coworking sector or the diverse talent and innovation driving it forward. We believe it is time for that to change.
We have started a petition asking LinkedIn to officially add Coworking as an industry category.
You can read and sign it here.
Here’s why this matters to us, and why it should matter to you.
1. Coworking professionals deserve to be seen and heard.
Right now, the people powering this global industry are not accurately represented on the platform most used to build careers. From community managers to space designers to flexible office strategists, there is no clear way to showcase our work in a way that reflects what we actually do. Adding Coworking as a standalone industry would elevate the visibility of our roles and highlight the contributions of the people behind this movement.
2. Coworking professionals need better pathways to stay and grow in the industry.
Not only does the lack of an industry category make it harder for recruiters and companies to find qualified candidates, it also limits the ability of people already working in coworking to explore new opportunities within the space. Too often, talented professionals leave the industry not because they want to, but because they cannot see a clear career path forward. Recognizing Coworking on LinkedIn would help retain top performers, support long-term career growth, and strengthen the industry’s overall talent pipeline.
3. The industry itself deserves to be acknowledged.
Coworking has become a foundational part of how we work. It supports a wide range of people and businesses, from freelancers and startups to global enterprises. As of 2024, the coworking industry is valued at over 22 billion dollars, with more than 41,000 coworking spaces operating globally and close to 5 million professionals relying on flexible, community-driven models (Market Research Future, Allwork.Space, GoRemotely). This is not a niche. It is a defining part of the modern workplace. LinkedIn’s recognition would reflect that reality and legitimize the role coworking plays in the future of work.
4. Recognition validates those building the future of work.
We are not just filling buildings. We are designing experiences, creating communities, enabling productivity, and adapting to how people want to work today. Adding Coworking to LinkedIn’s list of industries validates the efforts of those doing this work every day. It sends a message to job seekers, employers, investors, and policy makers that this is a serious, strategic industry worth investing in.
5. It is time the platform caught up to the people
LinkedIn’s industry categories shape how people network, how businesses are discovered, and how entire sectors grow. Coworking professionals have been showing up for years, sharing insights, hiring talent, launching companies, and collaborating across borders. We are here. It is time for the platform to catch up.
Whether you work in operations, design, marketing, technology, partnerships, or anything in between, if your work touches the world of flexible workspaces, this matters to you. By signing the petition, you are helping to increase visibility for the people driving this industry forward and making space for future leaders to step in and grow.
We are proud of the work being done across this community, and we believe in the power of collective voices to make change.
Let’s make this happen.