LinkedIn Starts Testing Its Own Stories Format

211shares

LinkedIn might be the “professional” social network, but the temptation was too big, and the platform has now started testing Stories.

After Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and even Google AMP, it was only a matter of time before Stories would come to LinkedIn as well. The professional social network announced that it is currently testing the Stories format internally and will be testing with members in the next few months as well.

While the platform admittedly focuses on an audience of professionals, the Stories format follows the general direction LinkedIn has taken over the past couple of years. LinkedIn is set to become a more social platform, and this test is just another step in that direction.

As Stories become a leading content format on all mainstream platforms, Pete Davies, LinkedIn’s head of content products, explains how the goal of the new format is to meet LinkedIn users “where their voices are.” LinkedIn aims for its Stories to be a lighter and more casual way of interacting instead of formal messaging, ultimately developing the conversational aspect of the platform.

“We’ve learned so much already about the unique possibilities of Stories in a professional context,” explains Davis. “For example, the sequencing of the Stories format is great for sharing key moments from work events, the full-screen narrative style makes it easy to share tips and tricks that help us work smarter…”

LinkedIn Stories aim to be a lighter and more casual way of interacting instead of formal messaging, ultimately developing the conversational aspect of the platform.

Click To Tweet

Of course, like for most features, the success of Stories on LinkedIn will depend on how users choose to use it. LinkedIn Stories are being tested with a few select users and there are no guarantees at this stage that the platform will decide to roll it out.

Personally, I’d love it if LinkedIn worked on limiting spam on its platform before developing new formats.