In an era where TikTok’s influence on digital content consumption cannot be overstated, LinkedIn, the quintessential platform for professional networking, is leaping into the future. The business-centric social network is reportedly testing a new feature that diverges significantly from its traditional offerings.
This development signifies LinkedIn’s foray into the realm of vertical, short-form videos, a domain popularized by TikTok and eagerly adopted by platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat.
The Evolution of Content on LinkedIn
The pilot program introduces a “Video” tab within the platform’s top navigation bar, spotlighting this new content format.
Spotted by Austin Null, a strategy director at influencer agency McKinney, and later confirmed by LinkedIn to TechCrunch, this feature represents Business-Centric Social Network’s ambition to stay relevant in a fast-evolving digital landscape.
In a manner analogous to that of TikTok or Instagram Reels, the video function of Business-Centric Social Network enables users to swipe through videos, interacting with content through the use of likes and comments.
It is possible to ensure a user experience that is recognizable while yet presenting a fresh method to consume material thanks to the design’s seamless integration with LinkedIn’s established aesthetic.
LinkedIn’s strategic pivot towards short-form video is informed by the undeniable success of this format across various social media platforms. After TikTok revolutionized online content with its brief, engaging videos, other platforms were quick to introduce their versions.
Even streaming giants like Netflix and the now-defunct Tubi experimented with short-form content, underscoring its pervasive appeal.
Focusing on Professional Content
However, LinkedIn’s approach to short-form video differentiates itself by maintaining a professional edge. The platform aims to curate a feed that emphasizes career-related content, pulling in videos that users have already shared on the Business-Centric Social Network.
This decision to focus on the professional rather than the personal or purely entertaining aspects of short-form video content could resonate well with LinkedIn’s user base, which comes to the platform with career advancement and networking in mind.
Despite the excitement around this new feature, LinkedIn is treading cautiously, launching it as a test to gauge user reaction. The introduction of short-form videos on Business-Centric Social Network could be seen as a valuable addition, offering easily digestible, informative content that aligns with the platform’s professional ethos.
However, there’s also the risk that it might distract from LinkedIn’s core function as a networking site for professionals.
The Future of LinkedIn’s Video Content
The direction the Business-Centric Social Network will take with its short-form video feature remains to be seen. The platform is currently soliciting feedback from its users, indicating that the final shape of this feature will be molded by the community’s response.
Business-Centric Social Network’s foray into short-form video content marks an exciting evolution for the platform, one that could enrich the professional lives of its users or challenge the very nature of professional networking online.
LinkedIn is testing a new feature you may not like – The business-centric social network is taking a page from TikTok's playbook. @BIZLInet https://t.co/f5VNSKSjZt
— BIZLI (@BIZLInet) March 29, 2024
In the coming days, LinkedIn’s strategy regarding the types and themes of videos that will dominate this new tab will become clearer. TheStreet has reached out to the Business-Centric Social Network for further comments, promising updates on this innovative pivot towards video content.
This development is a testament to the dynamic nature of social media and professional networking sites. As the Business-Centric Social Network experiments with short-form videos, it invites its users to envision a new way of engaging with content, offering a blend of professionalism and modern digital consumption trends.
Whether this bold move will pay off remains to be seen, but it certainly marks a significant moment in the evolution of content on LinkedIn.
