LinkedIn Lipstick. Unless LinkedIn figures out ways to increase the collaboration between the people I am connected to, it will continue to become less relevant for me. The connections export feature is essentially worthless, providing little usable information.
Others have already said it. LinkedIn's social features leave much to be desired. Where groups used to be the primary place to meet like minded people, Twitter has rapidly filled that void.
Why can't I share my contact info with my connections? Shouldn't LinkedIn allow users to share this information if they desire through an opting in or out process?
LinkedIn WAS unique when it came on the scent. They have been unreceptive to suggestions from people who have been their biggest supporters. They are not adapting to current trends. I hope this redesign addresses some of these issues. I have my doubts.
Mike
· 1 month ago
Linkedin missed the boat a year ago. Lack of innovation and interest in their user. I mean, yes Linkedin is not Facebook or Twitter but there are a lot of elements within Facebook and Twitter that Linkedin missed out on. Now Linkedin just looks more like a Web 1.0 site or more like Myspace.
To Linkedin i would say: Cut your losses and find a buyer. LinkedIn will go down as one of the biggest "missed opportunity"
Richard Kopar
· 1 month ago
This was long overdue. It's a great improvement, and i think i'll log in to LinkedIn a lot more with these changes. The site needs to be more social though. At the moment it feels like an email system or an office board room.
r0cketman22
· 1 month ago
Looks great! Though, I find myself not using it as much as before..
GigantiCo
· 1 month ago
I don't get the people saying they don't use LinkedIn much anymore. I probably use LinkedIn more than any website (ok, so I'm not counting Twitter, rationalizing that I use TweetDeck, an App).
Take another look.
jack21
· 2 weeks ago
Good evaluation of the redesign. It does truly help out people notice the changes for those who are not as familiar with linkedin. I really like the redesign as different areas are given their own clear sections and the header is not as busy as before. Thanks, internet marketing bristol
cari
· 1 month ago
I haven't been using it as much as I think I would if it were more "social." It's always been a place to keep connected with former colleagues more than a social network for me. The new design might make it worth another look for me once I can see it... The jury's out.
Robert Bravery
· 1 month ago
Looks Great. But like Others, I find myself not utilizing it as much as I could. There are just so many different SN tools out there.
Guillaume
· 1 month ago
That's exactly how the web is moving : it's more and more simple.
brian fanslau
· 1 month ago
LinkedIn has needed a bit of "Cleaning" my Brother and Myself had a very interesting time figuring out the groups, categories, and the proper way to ask and answer the questions within LinkedIn. Hopefully with the redesign some of those flow issues will be easier for the user to catch and put into action as they desire.
Denis
· 1 month ago
I can't believe that anyone could have a problem figuring out how to ask and answer questions on LinkedIn. Even if you don't use the current drop-down list and just click on Answers, the first thing you see is the text entry for a question.
Groups, however, are somewhat confusing, especially back in the day when clicking a group name would show "Join X Group" dialog.
brian fanslau
· 1 month ago
More so I was directing the questions on LinkedIn are often confusing when you are creating. Answering them is simple ;o)
Phil
· 1 month ago
Interesting. I wonder if it's going to be as initially awkward as the Facebook facelife.
adventuroo
· 1 month ago
Definitely a better layout than previously! I have to echo the others and say I don't use LI much these days.
el7cosmos
· 1 month ago
I'm not use to it...
sdesjard
· 1 month ago
It's about time!
SEO Services
· 1 month ago
I use LinkedIn everyday for social networking and business development. LinkedIn used to be a very "closed in" network of former employees and current colleagues. Because of Twitter, I find more people are willing to accept you into their group without really knowing you making it easier to socialize. With the new design, maybe now is as good a time as any to get reacquainted with it.
sdesjard
· 1 month ago
I liked the left hand task bar....Now you have to shuffle thru menus??? Yuck.
Ann
· 3 weeks ago
I agree!!
Jason
· 1 month ago
When is LinkedIn going to have Brand pages similar to Facebook?
I usually grit my teeth when first enduring an "upgrade", but this looks like a wonderful improvement in LinkedIn's navigation. As a frequent LI user, I am sure I will quickly come to appreciate the new version.
Aijalyn Kohler
· 1 month ago
I also find myself not using LinkedIn so much anymore, but I will try the new design.
bromano
· 1 month ago
Interesting to see so many folks saying they use LI less. I'm curious why. @http://twitter.com/bromano814
Jesse McFarlane
· 1 month ago
A move in the right direction. LinkedIn is possibly the most tangibly useful of the business social networks but they need to encourage more interaction and this UI refresh looks like it will help. Now if they could figure out a way to make groups more than just places for push marketers to spam...
Jim Horrell
· 4 weeks ago
Hi, Jesse,
I find the groups to be much more useful than just places for push marketers to spam. I have found many discussions and the sharing of useful information a huge plus to LinkedIn. In addition, if you are looking to exchange information with someone you share a group with, you don't need to send an invitation, you can simply send a message.
Seeing who is active in a group can also tell you which people are more likly to help you and/or are interested in being helped in some way.
In my opinion, groups are a great feature, and although I will agree that sometimes there are entries made by push marketers, I would say there is still a large percentage of good, valuable content shared in groups.
Steven Grech
· 1 month ago
Looks great - more space to focus on what's important...the content - more of an IA change rather than a redesign.
bluefinch604
· 1 month ago
Good work LinkedIn! It looks like your web site will be much easier to navigate after the re-design.
Michael Kaiser
· 1 month ago
I can't wait until they do something positive with the iPhone/Touch app!
Actually, I CAN wait. At least that what I have been doing.
owdp
· 1 month ago
hei thanks...i dont realize it before!!
Westcoast Guy
· 1 month ago
Just as I learn how to use it, they change the friggin' thing. IT's all very well to change "for the good", but geeze guys, can't you leave it along for a a year?
cytaylor
· 1 month ago
I agree the navigation at the top on the profile page is much cleaner. But I still wonder if there's a place for other social media tools in LinkedIn, like pictures. Or would that diminish the site's ability to maintain a professional demeanor and make it too much like the others?
I'm just sayin.
Janeile
· 1 month ago
It'll take some getting used to; I was o.k. with the nav where it was. So no biggy for me.
For all the people who claim not to use LI because its not social enough they are missing the point. LinkedIn is not Facebook and shouldn't be. You can't compare the too. That would be like comparing the company Christmas party to a backyard barbecue among family. LI has its own benefits. Sure its more formal, but you can still make some valuable connections and feedback on there. When it comes to a business network LI is awesome.
Stephanie Weaver
· 1 month ago
But will it move any faster? It's so SLOW. They've made it WAY more functional and FB-like recently, so this is a step in the right direction.
escher
· 1 month ago
they don't need a redesign, but someone to monitor the discussion groups to cut back all of the SPAM and marketing by users...
ShaneRounce
· 1 month ago
Much cleaner. Even though I don't use linkedin that often, except to accept colleagues and such as friends, this certainly looks more original and simple.
brei
· 1 month ago
Like it, very clean.
Denis
· 1 month ago
The reduction of the header is definitely a step in the right direction - there's currently too much useless empty space between elements. However, the left-side navigation is incredibly handy - a user can choose which lists should be collapsed and which should be expanded.
paramendra
· 1 month ago
I am glad they are doing this.
Tracy Perry
· 1 month ago
Any changes to linked in will help and I like that the information will be higher on the page but will miss (if they actually take it off) the left nav bar. I don't use it as much as FB but do enjoy the updates they send for my former co-workers. It seems like people aren't using it as much however, I agree with everyone else on that one.
milkfish
· 1 month ago
All I can say is: good to be seeing another NU alum
Veronica Fielding
· 1 month ago
These changes look great--much more intuitive. And I won't cry over the removal of that left nav bar.
Eric Parkinson
· 1 month ago
Opens up "real estate" space - flexibility and growth.
mianna
· 1 month ago
Hi guys, I was before more active on Linkeden they charge a lot and they do not provide much for it. Too complicated. More profiling than social networking. I started to use CEOWORLD Exchange for business professionals.
the new design is better but doesn't help the fact that the web is moving toward more open networks and the trust network idea is used infrequently for specific tactical results.
pdxreader
· 1 month ago
Hmmm I have always liked the professional aspect of linkedin. I hope that this is indeed progress. Thanks for sharing Mash!
GigantiCo
· 1 month ago
Basically they're leaving the inverted "L" sub-navigation scheme and replacing it with a more sophisticated implementation of sub-menus in the upper nav.
With the occasional hiccup, I've been rather pleased with each successive redesign that LinkedIn has put in place.
tuxme2
· 1 month ago
LinkedIn is going to look like Facebook for businesses. Compare the home page image with the Facebook page and they are alike. See?
Megan A. Bourne
· 1 month ago
The advantages of the redesign are clear. More emphasis on those LinkedIn than on the platform itself, and more content above the fold. It'll take a few times to get used to working from the top instead of the left. Nice to see coverage of LinkedIn on Mashable!
Eric Greenspan
· 1 month ago
I couldn't be happier to hear this. LinkedIn is the most important of the social media sites for me and I find it the hardest to use. http://www.ericgreenspan.com
Steven Burda
· 1 month ago
Great stuff. See my profile too?
lisa league
· 1 month ago
I use LinkedIn regularly. I would like the ability to move the apps like Amazon book list and blog link down to the bottom of the page after Experience and Recommendations. Or be able to move all sections around. Or an easy way to toggle them on and off from showing on the profile, like a simple check box.
MyBlackSon
· 1 month ago
Looks great
PayCheckr.com
· 1 month ago
Can you imagine if they pulled out all the stops and became a frictionless tool for professionals and for business? It would be Facebook and Twitter rolled into one -- without all the nonsense.
mariusbutuc
· 4 weeks ago
Lately, when it came to redesigns, I found myself constantly saying: "I liked the other one better!" From the screens I saw, this seems a successful redesign, so as a LinkedIn user I give them my thumbs up! :)
bbmarketingplus
· 4 weeks ago
It will be hard to tell until it's live. I'm hoping that the new site will work better than the old one. I posted something on Slideshare last week. It doesn't show up and there's been no response to my request from customer service.
Michelle Torres
· 3 weeks ago
I like it! It looks much more user friendly and less time consuming. I can't wait to start using the new and improved LinkedIn.
Has anyone seen the new page in action? I haven't yet. Wondering what's under the "More" link, and how they're going to handle all the links that are currently in the left nav.
Ann
· 3 weeks ago
The proof will be in the pudding. We'll have to see how it does in testing. I do not mind the left nav since it makes it easy to find the things I am looking for. I find that I get frustrated when I struggle trying to find information in drop-downs. Some creative thinking would be nice. I use Linked In everyday so there will be an adjustment.
Tod
· 1 week ago
You have done a marvellous job by exploring this subject with such an honesty and depth. Thanks for sharing it with us!
All Comments
Others have already said it. LinkedIn's social features leave much to be desired. Where groups used to be the primary place to meet like minded people, Twitter has rapidly filled that void.
Why can't I share my contact info with my connections? Shouldn't LinkedIn allow users to share this information if they desire through an opting in or out process?
LinkedIn WAS unique when it came on the scent. They have been unreceptive to suggestions from people who have been their biggest supporters. They are not adapting to current trends. I hope this redesign addresses some of these issues. I have my doubts.
To Linkedin i would say: Cut your losses and find a buyer. LinkedIn will go down as one of the biggest "missed opportunity"
Take another look.
Thanks,
internet marketing bristol
Groups, however, are somewhat confusing, especially back in the day when clicking a group name would show "Join X Group" dialog.
LinkedIn used to be a very "closed in" network of former employees and current colleagues.
Because of Twitter, I find more people are willing to accept you into their group without really knowing you making it easier to socialize.
With the new design, maybe now is as good a time as any to get reacquainted with it.
I find the groups to be much more useful than just places for push marketers to spam. I have found many discussions and the sharing of useful information a huge plus to LinkedIn. In addition, if you are looking to exchange information with someone you share a group with, you don't need to send an invitation, you can simply send a message.
Seeing who is active in a group can also tell you which people are more likly to help you and/or are interested in being helped in some way.
In my opinion, groups are a great feature, and although I will agree that sometimes there are entries made by push marketers, I would say there is still a large percentage of good, valuable content shared in groups.
Actually, I CAN wait. At least that what I have been doing.
I'm just sayin.
For all the people who claim not to use LI because its not social enough they are missing the point. LinkedIn is not Facebook and shouldn't be. You can't compare the too. That would be like comparing the company Christmas party to a backyard barbecue among family. LI has its own benefits. Sure its more formal, but you can still make some valuable connections and feedback on there. When it comes to a business network LI is awesome.
I was before more active on Linkeden they charge a lot and they do not provide much for it.
Too complicated. More profiling than social networking.
I started to use CEOWORLD Exchange for business professionals.
Try www.ceoworld.biz/corporate this is fantastic new tool to connect with bussiness people.
Cheers,
Anna
With the occasional hiccup, I've been rather pleased with each successive redesign that LinkedIn has put in place.
Nice to see coverage of LinkedIn on Mashable!
TheRealMichelleTorres.WordPress.com
Best Regards,
internet marketing