LinkedIn Buys Rapportive

redletterdave writes "Business networking site LinkedIn acquired Rapportive on Wednesday, which is a Gmail add-on that provides information about your social contacts as you e-mail them. The deal was reportedly already in place by Dec. 8, but Rapportive confirmed the acquisition on Wednesday in its company blog. Rapportive, which is still available over Gmail, adds an e-mailer's social networking accounts, including their Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts, and overlays the information over open messages and e-mail drafts. Neither Rapportive nor LinkedIn would release the financial details of the acquisition, but sources close to the situation say the deal closed in the 'low teens' of millions of dollars."

Comments

Ethicality of LinkedIn

[NoisySplatter]

I have a profile on LinkedIn which has done me zero good so far, but one thing about the site has always bothered me.

Is it truly ethical to gain an upper hand with regards to employment prospects because of who you know instead of your individual performance or merits?

To me the site just seems like a blatant promoter of cronyism, promoting the hiring of friends or aquaintences over those who may be more qualified.

Re:Ethicality of LinkedIn

[Nursie]

Qualified does not equal good worker.

Nepotism and cronyism can be pretty bad. BUT we are human, you know, and we'll always like personal recommendations. Not to mention that there are good reasons for this -

If you can get info/recommendations on someone via a trusted channel, and that info says they're reliable and hard working, that's worth a lot. There's no way to get this sort of information just out of the usual two or three hour interview process.

Re:Ethicality of LinkedIn

[MightyYar]

Ethical or no, I'll hire someone whose history I know over a total stranger any day.

"It's not what you know, it's who you know"

[linatux]

- always been true. At least LinkedIn is an easy way for a geek to 'network'.