We can identify with Allan Ripp‘s lament about LinkedIn in The Wall Street Journal. An excerpt from his op-ed piece, headlined, “Dear LinkedIn: I Love You, Please Back Off“:
So, when did LinkedIn go from being a professional networking tool to being a giant nudge? I speak of the constant barrage of recommendations, invitations, endorsements, upgrades and updates the company has been sending.
Welcome this new member or join that discussion group. Write a testimonial. Check out these “must read” articles, with five surefire tips or 10 “must follow” hashtags. Many of these messages have been misguided by whatever algorithms LinkedIn thinks will make me a more active user….
I first noticed LinkedIn’s pushiness when I began linking to people I had no recollection of contacting. This typically happens after I reach out to one member and receive three or four links in return. That’s how a lazy networker like me reaches 650 connections.
Stranger are the invitations from people way outside my orbit. Somehow, because I’m in public relations, LinkedIn wants to align me with party planners, wine brokers, DJs, stand-up comics and a “desktop virtualization specialist.” Such disconnects remind me of my Aunt Molly, who upon hearing years ago that I worked at a magazine said, “You must know our friend’s son Eugene, he’s with Diners Club.” Aunt Molly would be among LinkedIn’s front-line programmers were she still alive….
Despite all this, he insists that he’s “a real fan.” But he wishes the social medium would just chill: “Here’s my surefire tip for the company: Now that you’ve created the ideal business-networking exchange, back off and let the site do its magic in bringing us together.”
That would be nice.
Comments are closed.