LinkedIn Lets Others In

LinkedIn is making some changes to how it operates by beginning to accept applications which are produced by third party sources.  On Wednesday, the first eight outside applications were released, with more expected to follow in the future. Applications released so far include offerings from both Google and Amazon.

This is a move that LinkedIn clearly hopes will improve their long-term popularity as well as viability, by improving and expanding the ways their userbase can remain in touch with colleagues. This is especially important now, as LinkedIn is seeing an increase in popularity, as more and more weary workers keep a close eye on their career options. Infact, the company reports that they now boast over thirty million users. More than 30 million people worldwide have created a LinkedIn profile.

Of course, the site is business oriented and while considered a social network, is of a different breed than say, Facebook. Applications are required to have a professional feel, and are likely to be closely inspected before approval.