Among social networks, LinkedIn is a fascinating outlier. It’s by far the largest professional network, and as such it personifies the debate over whether people want different networks for different purposes. I think the answer is yes. Both Facebook and LinkedIn are based on webs of relationships, but no degree of privacy controls or slapped-on features can turn Facebook into an effective business networking tool. Perhaps I’m biased. For me, Facebook is a place to socialize, while LinkedIn is a place to promote myself professionally. Just because two products look similar, it doesn’t mean they do the same job.
Let’s take a closer look at LinkedIn now that the company is moving towards an IPO. Continue reading Is the LinkedIn IPO a Good Deal?