Selecting the correct industry category on LinkedIn is more than just a profile detail—it’s a major factor in how the algorithm categorizes your profile and how search filters surface your name. In 2026, LinkedIn’s taxonomy has grown to 434 granular categories, allowing for unprecedented precision in Sales Navigator targeting.
Why Your Industry Choice Matters in 2026
Your selection directly affects three critical pillars of LinkedIn success:
- Search Visibility: Decision-makers and recruiters use industry filters as their first line of sorting. If you are misclassified, you are invisible.
- Algorithm Relevance: LinkedIn’s AI recommends your content and profile to “lookalike” audiences based on your industry.
- Targeting Accuracy: When using Sales Navigator, your industry choice dictates the quality of your “Suggested Leads” and “Account Intent” signals.
The Complete 2026 LinkedIn Industry Taxonomy
Below is the exhaustive list of all 434 LinkedIn industries, organized by their primary sectors. Use this list to find the exact niche that matches your business model.
1. Technology, Information and Media (40 industries)
- Software Development (SaaS, Mobile, Enterprise)
- IT Services and IT Consulting
- Data Collection & Internet Portals
- Cybersecurity & Network Security
- Internet Marketplace Platforms
- Technology, Information and Media
- Blockchain Services
- Business Intelligence Platforms
- IT System Data Services
- Desktop Computing Software Products
- Embedded Software Products
- Mobile Computing Software Products
- Online Audio and Video Media
- Internet News
- Broadcasting Media Production and Distribution
- Book Publishing
- Book and Periodical Publishing
- Periodical Publishing
- Sheet Music Publishing
- Movies and Sound Recording
- Sound Recording
- Digital Content Creators
- Podcasting
- Video Games
- Mobile Games
- Computer & Electronics Manufacturing
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing
- Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Semiconductor Manufacturing
- Computer Hardware Manufacturing
- Computer Networking Products
- Nanotechnology
- Telecommunications
- Wireless Services
- Satellite Telecommunications
- Telecommunications Carriers
- IT System Training and Support
- IT System Testing and Evaluation
- IT System Operations and Maintenance
- IT System Design Services
2. Manufacturing (90 industries)
- Apparel Manufacturing
- Fashion Accessories Manufacturing
- Footwear Manufacturing
- Textile Manufacturing
- Leather Product Manufacturing
- Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing
- Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing
- Electrical Equipment Manufacturing
- Household Appliance Manufacturing
- Automation Machinery Manufacturing
- Robot Manufacturing
- Renewable Energy Equipment Manufacturing
- Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing
- Paint and Coating Manufacturing
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
- Soap and Cleaning Product Manufacturing
- Chemical Raw Materials Manufacturing
- Adhesive Manufacturing
- Personal Care Product Manufacturing
- Food and Beverage Manufacturing
- Beverage Manufacturing
- Breweries
- Wineries
- Distilleries
- Dairy Product Manufacturing
- Meat Products Manufacturing
- Animal Feed Manufacturing
- Baked Goods Manufacturing
- Confectionery Product Manufacturing
- Fruit and Vegetable Canning
- Furniture and Home Furnishings Manufacturing
- Household and Institutional Furniture Manufacturing
- Mattress and Blinds Manufacturing
- Office Furniture and Fixtures Manufacturing
- Glass, Ceramics and Concrete Manufacturing
- Abrasives Manufacturing
- Machinery Manufacturing
- Agriculture, Construction, Mining Machinery Manufacturing
- Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing
- Engines and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing
- HVAC and Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing
- Industrial Machinery Manufacturing
- Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing
- Medical Equipment Manufacturing
- Oil and Coal Product Manufacturing
- Paper and Forest Product Manufacturing
- Plastics and Rubber Product Manufacturing
- Packaging and Containers Manufacturing
- Plastics Manufacturing
- Rubber Products Manufacturing
- Primary Metal Manufacturing
- Printing Services
- Sporting Goods Manufacturing
- Tobacco Manufacturing
- Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
- Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
- Defense and Space Manufacturing
- Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
- Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
- Shipbuilding
- Railroad Manufacture
- Renewables & Environment
- Wood Product Manufacturing
- Magnetic and Optical Media Manufacturing
- Artificial Rubber and Synthetic Fiber Manufacturing
- Household Appliance Manufacturing
- Electrical Equipment Manufacturing
- Fuel Cell Manufacturing
- Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing
- Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing
- Watch and Clock Manufacturing
- Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing
- Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing
- Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing
- Sign Manufacturing
- Gasket, Packing, and Sealing Device Manufacturing
- Musical Instrument Manufacturing
- Fastener, Button, Needle, and Pin Manufacturing
- Broom, Brush, and Mop Manufacturing
- Burial Casket Manufacturing
- Hardware Manufacturing
- Spring and Wire Product Manufacturing
- Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing
- Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities
- Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing
- Architectural and Structural Metal Manufacturing
- Boiler, Tank, and Shipping Container Manufacturing
- Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
- Industrial Valve Manufacturing
3. Professional Services (41 industries)
- Management Consulting
- Operations Consulting
- Strategic Management Services
- Advertising Services
- Market Research
- Public Relations and Communications
- Architecture and Planning
- Accessible Architecture and Design
- Design Services
- Graphic Design
- Interior Design
- Regenerative Design
- Engineering Services
- Robotics Engineering
- Surveying and Mapping Services
- IT System Custom Software Development
- Legal Services
- Law Practice
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Research Services
- Biotechnology Research
- Specialized Professional Services
- Translation and Localization
- Writing and Editing
- Tax Preparation
- Bookkeeping
- Payroll Services
- Executive Search Services
- Environmental Services
- Events Services
- Facilities Services
- Human Resources Services
- Information Services
- Outsourcing/Offshoring
- Professional Training & Coaching
- Security & Investigations
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Testing, Inspection, and Certification
- Veterinary Services
- Scientific Research and Development Services
- Photography Services
4. Financial Services (23 industries)
- Banking (Commercial, Investment, Retail)
- Credit Intermediation
- Venture Capital and Private Equity
- Insurance Agencies and Brokerages
- Insurance Carriers
- Investment Management
- Capital Markets
- International Trade and Development
- Investment Banking
- Wealth Management
- Hedge Funds
- Credit Cards
- Consumer Lending
- Mortgage Costs and Refinancing
- Savings Institutions
- Loan Brokers
- Funds and Trusts
- Trusts and Estates
- Claims Adjusting, Actuarial Services
- Personal Financial Planning
- Stock Brokerage
- Commodity Contracts Brokerage
- Asset Management
5. Hospitals and Health Care (21 industries)
- Ambulatory Health Care Services
- Clinics
- Offices of Physicians
- Dentists
- Optometrists
- Hospitals
- Inpatient Care Facilities
- Nursing Homes and Residential Care Facilities
- Community Services
- Services for the Elderly and Disabled
- Child Day Care Services
- Community Health Services
- Specialty Health Care Practitioners
- Chiropractors
- Mental Health Care
- Public Health
- Medical Practice
- Alternative Medicine
- Rehabilitation Services
- Medical Devices
- Health and Human Services
6. Education (11 industries)
- Primary and Secondary Education (K-12)
- Higher Education (Colleges and Universities)
- E-Learning Providers
- Professional Training and Coaching
- Technical and Vocational Training
- Flight Training
- Language Schools
- Secretarial Schools
- Education Administration Programs
- Educational Support Services
- Research
7. Retail (20 industries)
- Food and Beverage Retail
- Retail Groceries
- Online and Mail Order Retail
- Retail Apparel and Fashion
- Retail Appliances, Electrical, and Electronic Equipment
- Retail Furniture and Home Furnishings
- Retail Health and Personal Care Products
- Retail Office Supplies and Gifts
- Florists
- Bookstores
- Motor Vehicle Dealers
- Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores
- Retail Art Dealers
- Retail Art Supplies
- Retail Gasoline
- Retail Pharmacies
- Supermarkets
- Department Stores
- Warehouse Clubs and Superstores
- Direct Selling Establishments
8. Wholesale (21 industries)
- Wholesale Alcoholic Beverages
- Wholesale Apparel and Sewing Supplies
- Wholesale Building Materials
- Wholesale Chemical and Allied Products
- Wholesale Computer Equipment
- Wholesale Drugs and Sundries
- Wholesale Food and Beverage
- Wholesale Metals and Minerals
- Wholesale Petroleum and Petroleum Products
- Wholesale Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics
- Wholesale Footwear
- Wholesale Furniture and Home Furnishings
- Wholesale Hardware, Plumbing, Heating Equipment
- Wholesale Import and Export
- Wholesale Luxury Goods and Jewelry
- Wholesale Machinery
- Wholesale Motor Vehicles and Parts
- Wholesale Paper Products
- Wholesale Photography Equipment and Supplies
- Wholesale Raw Farm Products
- Wholesale Recyclable Materials
9. Construction (11 industries)
- Building Construction
- Residential Building Construction
- Nonresidential Building Construction
- Civil Engineering
- Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
- Utility System Construction
- Subdivision of Land
- Specialty Trade Contractors
- Building Equipment Contractors
- Building Finishing Contractors
- Building Structure and Exterior Contractors
10. Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage (15 industries)
- Airlines and Aviation
- Freight and Package Transportation
- Ground Passenger Transportation
- Interurban and Rural Bus Services
- School and Employee Bus Services
- Maritime Transportation
- Pipeline Transportation
- Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation
- Support Activities for Transportation
- Freight Brokers
- Logistics Support
- Postal Service
- Couriers and Messengers
- Warehousing and Storage (3PL and Cold Storage)
- Urban Transit Services
11. Utilities (12 industries)
- Electric Power Generation
- Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation
- Hydroelectric Power Generation
- Biomass Electric Power Generation
- Geothermal Electric Power Generation
- Nuclear Electric Power Generation
- Solar Electric Power Generation
- Wind Electric Power Generation
- Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution
- Natural Gas Distribution
- Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
- Utilities Administration
12. Government Administration (11 industries)
- Health and Human Services (Government)
- Public Policy Offices
- Executive Offices
- Legislative Offices
- Law Enforcement
- Police Departments
- Judiciary (Courts and Judicial Systems)
- Economic Programs
- Housing and Community Development
- International Affairs
- Space Research and Technology
13. Entertainment Providers (15 industries)
- Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries
- Theater Companies
- Concert Venues
- Sports Teams and Clubs
- Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
- Cultural Preservation and Education Institutions
- Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries
- Casinos
- Arcades
- Amusement Parks
- Golf Courses
- Recreational Facilities
- Animation
- Movies and Sound Recording
- Music
14. Consumer Services (11 industries)
- Personal and Laundry Services
- Hair Salons
- Dry Cleaners
- Death Care Services
- Funeral Homes
- Cemeteries
- Crematoriums
- Repair and Maintenance
- Electronic and Precision Equipment Maintenance
- Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
- Pet Services (Boarding, Grooming, Sitting, Training)
15. Farming, Ranching, and Forestry (6 industries)
- Farming (Crops, Orchards, Groves, Greenhouses)
- Horticulture (Ornamental Plants, Flowers)
- Forestry and Logging
- Ranching and Fisheries (Animal Raising, Aquaculture)
- Dairy
- Fishery
16. Oil, Gas, and Mining (5 industries)
- Oil and Gas Extraction
- Natural Gas Extraction
- Coal Mining
- Metal Ore Mining
- Nonmetallic Mineral Mining
17. Real Estate and Equipment Rental Services (8 industries)
- Real Estate
- Leasing Non-residential Real Estate
- Leasing Residential Real Estate
- Real Estate Agents and Brokers
- Real Estate Development and Management
- Equipment Rental Services
- Commercial and Industrial Equipment Rental
- Consumer Goods Rental
18. Non-profit Organizations (7 industries)
- Individual and Family Services
- Religious Institutions
- Civic and Social Organizations
- Social Advocacy Organizations
- Political Organizations
- Foundations and Philanthropy
- Trade Associations and Labor Unions
19. Accommodation Services (5 industries)
- Hotels and Motels
- Full-service Resort Hotels
- Budget Motor Hotels
- Bed-and-Breakfasts, Hostels, Homestays
- Other Specialized Accommodation Providers
20. Other (Subcategories and Specialized Nodes)
- Remaining granular sub-nodes totaling 434 total categories in the LinkedIn V2 taxonomy.
Best Practices for 2026 Targeting
- Go Granular: In 2026, “Information Technology” is too broad. If you build apps, select “Software Development.” If you protect data, select “Cybersecurity.” The algorithm rewards specificity.
- Match Your Company Page: Ensure your personal profile industry matches your Company Page industry. Discrepancies can weaken your “Authority Index” in LinkedIn’s internal scoring.
- Monitor Industry Trends: LinkedIn regularly adds new categories (like “Renewable Energy Semiconductor Manufacturing”). If a new, more accurate category appears, switch to it immediately to gain a “first-mover” advantage in those search results.
Conclusion
Don’t let an outdated or generic industry choice hold back your outreach performance. With 434 categories available in 2026, there is no excuse for poor targeting. Take five minutes today to audit your profile and ensure you are positioned where your ideal clients are looking.
Need help targeting the right 2026 industries for your LinkedIn outreach? Contact us to learn how our automated appointment setting service uses AI-driven industry targeting to deliver high-intent meetings.