Combining Your Networkingworth
Catherine Horgan July 24, 2007
Is Facebook taking over LinkedIn? Or more importantly, should it? I recently read a blog questioning the likelihood of Facebook taking over LinkedIn. It’s interesting, once you consider the facts. As of July 10th, Facebook announced that it hit 30 million active users, and by definition that means people who log in at least once a month. The growing popularity is one of addiction. Facebook receives more than double the amount of page views a month as compared to MySpace. We assume Facebook’s rival is MySpace. However, there is growing evidence that Facebook is now competing for LinkedIn’s audience – making content and groups available that appeal to and appease both your professional and social life. Both userfaces - Facebook and LinkedIn - are clean and professional. Facebook goes a step further, though, offering an engaging and efficient site to come and stay (and play).
We have heard that social networks are only as valuable as those who join them. That holds true. But consider that more invitations are going out daily from Facebook versus LinkedIn and you might be swayed to move your LinkedIn contacts over to Facebook. LinkedIn currently has approximately 10 million users. The site was built on, and still believes, that people will have two profiles, one professional and one personal. And I have to say that at one time, I agreed. What has surprised me is that I get more professional contacts inviting me to add them as a friend on Facebook than my personal friends. Some folks I know get more invitations, in general, from Facebook than LinkedIn all together. I am not sure I am ready to completely shift everything into one networking site, but the thought certainly appeals to me. How great would it be to have one platform that allows you to sort by relationship – professional and personal? And only allowing relative content to be shared accordingly. Now you’ve got me.
The next year will be telling. How will Facebook and LinkedIn grow? What boundaries will be set between personal and professional relationships? Are we two dimensional? Ponder this: what do you do on LinkedIn? Do you interact with other members often? Do you join groups of interest where you have a voice? Now, ask yourself the same questions with regard to Facebook.
Posted in Human Resources
July 24th, 2007 at 7:23 am
Hi Catherine. I guess that simplicity of searching might make the convergence of social fun and social business networking sites together.
But Facebook has so much stuff on it that is not related to business that LinkedIn seems more relevant if only because it strips the profile down to what I, as a recruiter, want to know.
July 24th, 2007 at 7:31 am
Very good point. I believe that’s why it has not been done. Keeping clear lines between our two lives, professional and personal, is a necessity in our world of recruiting. However, as a user of both, sure would be nice to have a one-stop shop!
July 24th, 2007 at 7:32 am
Sorry I mistyped. The dispersion of information over so many social networking sites is not that practical so convergence might be inevitable. But the sites do have different styles and the differences are relevant if your goals are business or pleasure.