If you’re a fan of LinkedIn search, good news—the site has improved its search functionality to deliver more and better results. Whether you use LinkedIn for new business development, recruiting, networking or job seeking, finding the information (or people) you need is likely an important part of your experience on the site, which is why we’re excited about the changes.
My smart friend Jim Dougherty (who you should be stalking regularly if you’re not already) has an overview of the new key features you’ll find on LinkedIn search, including:
Consolidated Search
You’ll now get information by people, jobs, groups or companies without the need for separate category searches. We are power users of LinkedIn search and this change has us jumping for joy.
Auto-Complete
Much like Google or Facebook Graph Search, LinkedIn Search will now automatically complete your queries.
Suggested Search Terms
You’ll get a list of suggested search terms, which Jim wisely predicts will be used by LinkedIn for future monetization. The biggest business social networking site has been quick to monetize its offerings and to continue to add features and value for its members, brands and advertisers. This addition is no surprise and another in a series of smart moves.
A More Intelligent Algorithm
Following in the footsteps of Facebook’s Graph Search, LinkedIn has honed its search algorithm to deliver a more personalized experience to its users. According to LinkedIn, “the more you search for content on LinkedIn, the more it learns and understands your intent over time to provide the most relevant results.” As the web moves more toward semantic search, this enhancement only makes sense.
Enhanced Advanced Search
Need more information? Now you can more easily apply filters like location, company, school and more to access more detailed search results.
Automatic Alerts
If you frequently search for the same information, save time by using LinkedIn’s new search alerts, which will automatically update you when results change.
LinkedIn says the new search functionality is being rolled out to all members over the coming weeks, so if you don’t yet have the new features, hang tight—they’re coming.
In the meantime, we’re excited to dig in and explore the new tools. Not only are they designed to deliver better information—they’re also key in enabling users to spend more time on LinkedIn. It’s no surprise that social networks are funneling more time, energy and resources into improving their search experience. These platforms have evolved into much more than places for digital sharing and conversation. They’ve become valuable sources of information, and the more easily users can tap into the goldmine of data, the more relevant that site becomes to their overall online habits.
Have you tried out LinkedIn’s new search? What do you think so far?
Shelly Kramer is a Principal Analyst and Founding Partner at Futurum Research. A serial entrepreneur with a technology centric focus, she has worked alongside some of the world’s largest brands to embrace disruption and spur innovation, understand and address the realities of the connected customer, and help navigate the process of digital transformation. She brings 20 years’ experience as a brand strategist to her work at Futurum, and has deep experience helping global companies with marketing challenges, GTM strategies, messaging develoment, and driving strategy and digital transformation for B2B brands across multiple verticals. Shelly’s coverage areas include Collaboration/CX/SaaS, platforms, ESG, and Cybersecurity, as well as topics and trends related to the Future of Work, the transformation of the workplace and how people and technology are driving that transformation. A transplanted New Yorker, she has learned to love life in the Midwest, and has firsthand experience that some of the most innovative minds and most successful companies in the world also happen to live in “flyover country.”
