Why LinkedIn Plummeted Despite Its Big Earnings Beat

Paul Sakuma

FILE - In this May 19, 2011 file photo,the LinkedIn logo is displayed in the foyer at headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. LinkedIn Corp. had strong revenue in the second quarter thanks to growth from ads and the fees it charges for deeper access to its vast trove of professional profiles, the company said Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

LinkedIn beat expectations, but growth across all three of its divisions, and member growth to 225 million, didn't help its stock, which plummeted ten percent after-hours. Wall Street focused on LinkedIn's disappointing Q2 outlook, which fell short of expectations, indicating that the company's growth will slow over the course of the year. What happened?

On the earnings call CEO Jeff Weiner talked about the success of new products it's introduced—like search, and a more automated hiring tool, with features like 'people you may want to hire.' As with Facebook (FB), LinkedIn is seeing ongoing growth in mobile usage. The company announced that with its new iPhone and Android apps it's seeing more than 40 percent increase in likes and comments per unique user. And it promoted the fact that its new 'Contacts' tool is its first that's launched on mobile and the desktop at the same time.

The business network's revenue grew 72 percent to $325 million, while Wall Street had been expecting $317 million. Earnings per share tripled from a year ago to 45 cents (non—GAAP diluted EPS), fourteen cents more than expectations. And growth is consistent across the board, with its biggest division, Talent Solutions, growing revenue 80 percent to $184 million. The two smaller divisions, Marketing Solutions (ads), and premium subscriptions, grew 56 percent and 73 percent respectively.

Weiner spoke about a new way the company will accelerate marketing revenue beyond this past quarter's 56 percent growth, and allow marketers to reach LinkedIn members even when they're on their mobile devices. "Sponsored Updates" will be LinkedIn's first content marketing efforts at scale. Sort of like Twitter's promoted tweets, companies with profile pages will be able to pay to promote their content—to make sure that members see their updates or articles. These will flow into all the updates users see—whether they're on a mobile device or the desktop.

(Read More: How LinkedIn Plans to Boost Its Biggest Business)

The concern focuses on the fact that the company projects second quarter revenue growth will slow, to between $342 million-$347 million, compared to the $360 million Wall Street analysts expect, according to StreetAccount. And guidance for adjusted EBITDA is between $77 million and $79 million, short of the $85.5 million analysts had hoped for.

Another challenge: the majority of LinkedIn's users are overseas, but the US still comprises the majority of LinkedIn's revenue. The US comprised 62 percent of the company's revenue, despite the fact that more than 60 percent of the company's users are from outside the US, and International growth continues to outpace the US.

—By CNBC's Julia Boorstin; Follow her on Twitter: @JBoorstin