LinkedIn, a widely used job-search platform, serves as a professional arena for networking and career advancement. However, it may soon evolve beyond its traditional role. Recent reports suggest LinkedIn is considering integrating games to engage job-seekers. Additionally, the platform has confirmed its development of a feature already familiar to many - short-form videos, similar to reels.

As per a report from Techcrunch, LinkedIn informed the publication about its ongoing experimentation with incorporating a short-form video feed into the platform. This shift signifies a remarkable departure from LinkedIn’s conventional landscape, paving the way for a fresh era of vibrant content and interactive participation within its community.

The report further mentioned that the inception of this feature was initiated when Austin Null, a strategy director at McKinney, encountered a prototype of the video feed integrated into LinkedIn’s navigation bar. By simply tapping the “Video” tab, users are seamlessly directed to a vertical stream of brief yet compelling videos.

TechCrunch was informed by the company that videos are the favored format for learning among its users. Consequently, the feature is undergoing testing to ensure users can effectively discover relevant videos. The report indicated that the feature is currently in its initial testing phase, meaning it won’t be accessible to most users yet.

Fundamentally, the implementation of the short-form video feed signifies not only a technological advancement but also a cultural transformation within the LinkedIn community. As professionals increasingly recognize the potency of visual storytelling, the platform evolves into a union of creativity, cooperation, and shared knowledge. Whether experienced industry experts or aspiring entrepreneurs, every user contributes a distinctive viewpoint to the platform.

Gaming for Growth

In a related development, a prior TechCrunch report unveiled LinkedIn’s intentions to venture into gaming. According to the report, the company is crafting puzzle games named Queens, Inference, and Crossclimb, similar to the widely popular game Wordle, which The New York Times acquired in 2022, becoming a sensation.

While conversing with TechCrunch, a spokesperson from LinkedIn validated the gaming initiative without divulging a specific launch date. The spokesperson emphasized that these puzzle games are designed to enhance user enjoyment, promote connections, and spark conversations within the platform.

In March of this year, several reports surfaced indicating LinkedIn was considering adding an entertainment feature for job seekers. According to a TechCrunch report, LinkedIn was exploring the possibility of incorporating games into the platform, providing job seekers with enjoyable activities while they search for new opportunities or connect with their network.

Now, the company has officially rolled out games for the platform. Initially, LinkedIn has introduced just three games - Queens, Crossclimb, and Pinpoint. These games cater to various skill sets, offering users a mix of logic puzzles, trivia challenges, and word associations. Drawing inspiration from popular classics like Sudoku and word games, these new additions promise to bring a fresh dimension to LinkedIn's platform.

LinkedIn VP Daniel Roth revealed the decision in a post, expressing his excitement, “Okay, thrilled to announce this: Today, we’re unveiling games on LinkedIn.” he shared that he had been testing the team’s creation over the past month and found it highly enjoyable. 

“For the past month, I've been thoroughly testing the team's remarkable creation, and I must say, I haven't had more fun evaluating a product. This suite of once-daily, quick, thought-provoking games — Crossclimb, Pinpoint, and Queens — has become my morning ritual. Shortly after, I check the leaderboards and send a flurry of messages to my colleagues, showcasing my impressive — and, well, not-so-impressive — scores. I have a feeling you'll find yourself doing the same. Reach out to me after you've played, and share your thoughts. Let the games commence!"

Talking about the games

When delving into the games, Queens offers a unique variation of Sudoku, requiring players to arrange crowns in patterns without overlap within a set time limit. Crossclimb, on the other hand, presents users with exciting word puzzles, where clues guide them to interconnected words on a grid, evaluating both mental agility and linguistic skills. Lastly, Pinpoint, similar to the New York Times's popular Connections game, leads players to discern connections between words, putting their deductive abilities and cognitive flexibility to the test.

Crafted by LinkedIn News, these games seek to offer a relaxed yet intellectually engaging platform for professionals to interact with their colleagues. Currently, each game can be played only once, leaving the possibility open for further additions to the lineup in the future.