How do Facebook Employees Perceive LinkedIn?

Facebook employees generally recognize LinkedIn as a useful professional tool, albeit one that is seen by some as competition. While the platforms serve similar purposes, users often find unique value in both, with Facebook being used for personal interactions and LinkedIn for career development.

Complementary Indeed

The prevalent sentiment among Facebook employees is quite positive towards LinkedIn. They acknowledge its complementary role in the professional networking ecosystem rather than perceiving it as a threat to Facebook. LinkedIn’s focus on professional connections and the sharing of industry insights makes it distinct from personal updates and data sharing on Facebook.

Early Observations and Perceptions

According to insights from an ex-Facebook employee, there wasn’t much product-focused consideration of LinkedIn during the early days of Facebook's development. LinkedIn addressed a different problem than Facebook by connecting individuals who aren’t necessarily close friends or family, yet maintain a professional interest in each other. This separation of personal and professional networks has been a key factor in reducing friction between these two platforms.

Even as LinkedIn grew to impressive sizes, it never felt like a direct existential threat to Facebook. Instead, it was viewed more as a mild, non-threatening competitor. This competitive landscape had certain implications for Facebook’s own development and strategies, leading many employees to track their progress as a business.

The Peak of Consideration

The closest Facebook employees thought about LinkedIn as a competitor was around early 2006 when the company was developing the Work Networks feature. This was a period when the concept of Networks was much more integral to Facebook’s functionality. This was before the platform’s redesign, which significantly altered the social graph and the way users interacted with their ‘extended’ family and friends.

The Work Networks feature aimed to provide a more structured, professional way for Facebook users to organize their connections. However, it seemed that the integration wasn't seamless. The move from a social focus to a more categorized network structure faced significant challenges.

As Facebook continues to evolve, so too does its relationship with LinkedIn. Today, both platforms are widely used by Facebook employees for different purposes. LinkedIn remains a primary tool for career development, while Facebook is preferred for personal interactions and building casual connections. This division of labor between the two platforms fosters a healthy competitive landscape that benefits both businesses.

For further insights into these complex relationships, fellow ex-Facebook employees and industry experts often share their perspectives on platforms like Quora. The discourse around these professional networking tools continues to evolve, reflecting the changing needs of both individuals and businesses in the digital age.