LinkedIn began a preview of the new look back in September. It brings the social network in-line with its rivals, adopting a design that contains obvious parallels with Facebook and Twitter. Everything has been flattened and simplified for a more modern feel.
At the heart of the experience is the new navigation system. There are now seven main places to visit, Home, Messaging, Jobs, Notifications, Me, My Network and Search. Other sections of the platform, such as LinkedIn Learning, are hidden beneath the “more” icon on the navigation bar to avoid clutter.
LinkedIn’s profile screens have been streamlined for greater impact. There’s a new focus on visuals and improved suggestions to help you advertise yourself effectively. The design looks similar to LinkedIn’s existing mobile apps. As with the main interface, profiles have been streamlined and modernised to fit into current web design trends.
Aside from look and feel, there’s a new universal search bar at the top of every screen that lets you find content from across LinkedIn. Typing into the box will surface results including people, jobs, companies, groups and schools. If you’re looking for something more specific, you can use robust filters to refine your search.
Messaging has also been overhauled. Messages are now real-time and available across LinkedIn. The system will look familiar to anyone who’s used Facebook Messenger on the web. LinkedIn has also incorporated smart, targeted elements to help you have conversations. The platform will generate insights to help you start chats and find new professional opportunities.
Alongside the features, the update brings in new analytics options, a richer, more relevant feed and improved performance. According to LinkedIn, it’s the company’s largest redesign since launching in 2003.
“This complete overhaul of our technology architecture is the largest desktop redesign since LinkedIn’s inception,” said LinkedIn. “Something we’ve taken the time and investment to build from the ground up and in concert with our new mobile app, to provide a LinkedIn experience that is more intuitive, faster and creates more value for you. Our goal is to ensure you can seamlessly access the most relevant professional conversations, content and opportunities whether you’re on our mobile app or on our desktop experience.”
Although the company doesn’t state it in the announcement, another aim of the update is to affirm LinkedIn’s actual purpose to younger users and people who’ve abandoned it. LinkedIn has a reputation for being filled with profile pages that haven’t been updated in years.
Amy Parnell, the company’s Senior Director of User Experience, said this is due to the complexity of the old interface. Users “weren’t sure what to do,” Parnell explained to Business Insider. By simplifying the design and streamlining key screens, the company hopes to increase engagement and attract new people.
The overhaul is rolling out now to LinkedIn desktop users, the result of many months of work by the company. If you don’t have access to the new experience, it will reach you in the coming weeks. LinkedIn said support requests should be directed to its online help centre.
