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Facebook Planning Office Version To Rival LinkedIn, Google

Posted by samzenpus on from the time-for-some-cubicalville dept.

An anonymous reader points out a report that Facebook may be coming out with an office version to take on LinkedIn. Facebook at Work would “allow users to chat with colleagues, connect with professional contacts and collaborate over documents.” "Facebook is reportedly gearing up to take on LinkedIn, Google's Drive and services, Microsoft's Outlook and Yammer with a workplace-friendly version of the social networking site, but such a dream is unlikely to appeal to the enterprise. As reported last week by the Financial Times, "Facebook at Work" is a new product designed to allow professional users to message colleagues, connect with professional contacts and collaborate over documents. The website will have the same look as standard Facebook — including a news feed and groups — but according to people familiar with the matter, the idea is to keep work and personal accounts separate. It makes sense for the social networking giant. Launching a professional version can boost ad revenue, keep engagement up and give the company a valuable new market to tap. But in application, cracking the corporate world won't be easy."

3 of 91 comments (clear)

  1. This article is useless by TheCastro1689 · · Score: 1, Interesting

    All it has is opinions that aren't backed up by any facts. First, most companies I've worked for don't even block Facebook, and even if they do the website will probably be some thing like Facework.com or something to further distinguish itself from your personal account. Second, Linkden was hacked, so I don't know how "secure" it is. Third, Linkden is not a more professional looking site than Facebook, and the fact that people shove themselves into your circle or whatever steared me away from Linkden long ago. Hardly anyone I know under the age of 30 uses it unless they're foreign or looking for a new job. I doubt Facebook will have a problem with market penetration like the author of the linked article thinks they will.

    1. Re:This article is useless by nine-times · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Hardly anyone I know under the age of 30 uses it unless they're foreign or looking for a new job. I doubt Facebook will have a problem with market penetration like the author of the linked article thinks they will.

      So assuming what you're saying is right, it seems like Facebook will run into a completely different problem: they're fighting over a failing market. If nobody wants to use LinkedIn, then who's going to use Facebook's version of LinkedIn?

  2. Fun by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Just in time, I was just thinking that I don't share enough already. What I'm just wondering now is if they are going to allow selfies and if I am going to be cyberbullied.

    Haven't we shared enough already. Isn't this just another avenue into your boss requesting access to your FB account to check what is posted on your FB work page. Or one step away from FB charging money for a "Premium" membership where you can read your employees posts etc.

    Bob just liked that you have a new office chair! yea FB can go F themselves. Never was a part of it and all I see is people trying to impress each other with what they did.