Why LinkedIn continually restricts its service

Discuss

To discuss this and other LinkedIn issues join the MyLink Network Yahoo discussion group at http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/MyLinkNetwork .

Why ask why

LinkedIn has been restricting, limiting, and preventing various uses of its service for about four years or so now. See LinkedInSurprises . Many of the top LinkedIn users from a few years ago are long gone because of such cutbacks. And LinkedIn was happy to see them go. If this is your first time, just wait a while.

Every few months when there is a new restriction there is a cry from members. Am I the only one upset? Why do they do it? Why don’t they give more notice? Why don’t they get community feedback first? What can I do about it?

The following provides some insight into these questions, as well as the nature of the universe as we know it. I'm still working on that time travel thing.

Am I alone?

You probably are if you spend lots of time in online networking. But that's your own problem.

LinkedIn restrictions on the other hand affect:

• A thousand members if affecting top networkers
• Tens of thousands if affecting active networkers who get a lot of use out of groups, Answers, invitations, or whatever LinkedIn is screwing with that month.
• A hundred thousand members if targeted at open networkers

Can they do this?

What Internet fantasy world do you live in? Network limitations exist in all social networks. All of them have their own mix of features and restrictions. LinkedIn is a private business. They can do whatever they want within the limit of the law. It’s as simple as that.

Have they ever backed down?

LinkedInSurprises lists one restriction out of a hundred that they rescinded. Don't count on it.

What makes LinkedIn tick?

LinkedIn has 25 million users to worry about. They grew that way by focusing on security and privacy. They care about the typical member who is a light user with limited connections. They are responsive to complaints, which invariably are from those typical members against members who are not so typical.

LinkedIn has shown little interest in what the most active or vocal thousand members do or care.

Why does LinkedIn hate active networkers?

See What makes LinkedIn tick. Disinterest may be more accurate a word than hate. Active and supernetworkers are a tiny part of the user base. They use the network in extreme ways and cause a lot of friction with typical members who have different expectations about the service. It's a tiny group that causes a lot more grief than gain from LinkedIn's perspective.

LinkedIn's attitude is arrogant and inflexible.

Yes it is. They have always been abysmal about soliciting input, vetting possible changes, and managing and communicating updates and user expectations. They have a company evangelist. But he works mostly in the industry and not with users. It took them four years just to start an official blog and that's filled with their propaganda.

That may be counterintuitive in a Web 2.0 world where evangelists are your lifeblood. But it works for LinkedIn. ... And no new company has arisen to challenge them.

What can I do?

After several years I have seen all kinds of ideas and programs for members to complain and protest. People have dropped their paid subscriptions. But none of that appears to have any impact.Customer Service ignores your emails.

If you disagree with changes, write to Customer service. At least they'll know of your displeasure. While the company often deserves your scorn, it does no good sharing that with Customer service. Customer service has no power or influence. They do the best they can. They and other employees have occasionally gone out of their way for me. Your only hope is to win their support, not piss them off.

DON'T be nasty. Don't call LinkedIn names. Don't talk about the effect on you as a large networker. They never have cared about such members. All that may blow off steam and make you feel better. But it also makes it all that easier to delete your message and targets you as someone that they don't design the network for.

DO be professional. Let them know how their changes adversely impact your business, networking, and use of LinkedIn.

Is life worth living?

Barely. ... All you can do is adapt. You have little choice. While such restrictions can truly be painful, LinkedIn remains the only real game in town and delivers great value. You should be reviewing your networking processes, stationary, and properties regularly anyway. Update them as needed based on the latest changes. Continue to improve and fine-tune how you conduct your business online and use LinkedIn ... no matter how restrictive they make it.

To Your NetWORKing Success,

MarcFreedman