Linked-in soon to be the "it" network?

February 3, 2010 / Filed under: Trends, Social Networks

A year and a half ago, I started to freshen up my Facebook profile. I had an active account dating back further than that, but I never logged in regularly.

Back then I was an avid Twitter user, and focused most of my energy there.

At that point, I'm not sure why Facebook suddenly commanded my attention to update my profile details, grow my network of friends, and become more of a presence on the network, but it felt a little like a "hunch." I had the feeling that Facebook was about to hit it real big, with not only random tech geeks comprising my friends list, but close friends, old acquaintances, and immediate family.

Whatever the reason, I felt like it was going to play a role in the coming months and years. Turns out my hunch was accurate - Facebook took a sudden turn, and became extremely popular - the network that we're seeing today, which rivals Twitter for sheer popularity and usage. I have since quit Twitter, and now dedicate the majority of my social network energy to Facebook.

Facebook has become the cornerstone of connecting with anyone and everyone. No network has ever brought together such unity of the close, real-world people in my life like Facebook has. No other network could I see "friending" my parents, old friends from grade school, and that random neighbor down the block with the big dog.

It used to be social networking involved a select group of tech-savvy people who cherished their time in front of their computer or mobile device, silently giggling at a joke from an "internet friend" hundreds of miles away. It was like our own little world which the real, walking individuals didn't know of, nor understand.

Now everyone has a mobile device capable of writing on their profile walls, poking someone, or simply following along with the chatter.

Facebook, which started off slowly gaining users and popularity, suddenly hit it big and is now the "it" network.

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Fast forward ten months from now. Facebook and Twitter still dominate the social networking landscape, but new (and old) players try to make their presence known.

What will be the next "it" network? What existing, or new network will take that sharp turn and take a meteoric rise to recognition and popularity?

This is not a prediction, but rather a hunch. I feel that Linked-in is capable of an explosion of usage in the near future, just like Facebook experienced.

It may not be the same type of usage - Facebook is more about sharing details about your life, whereas Linked-in is a professional, career-oriented network. But it would be the same social dependency that people experience now with Facebook.

Most people, as of late, I'd guess joined Facebook out of simple peer pressure. The more news about it, and the more your real-world network of contacts talk about it, the more you want to see what it's all about.

This is exactly what I think is going to happen with Linked-in.

First, I'll start accepting friend requests from the tech community, and slowly but surely, my closer, real-world friends and immediate family will also be in my network.

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Linked-in has been around a while, and popular with social network aficionados, but really hasn't hit the incredible mainstream adoption that Facebook has experienced.

I can't really explain why I feel that Linked-in is picking up steam, but it's the same hunch I had with Facebook. I've started really focusing on updating my Linked-in profile, and making sure the information is accurate. I'm also seeing an influx of random Linked-in friend requests coming my way - seemingly in tune with the general vibe I'm experiencing.

Suddenly it's becoming an important network for me.

Time will tell if it has the same effect on others.

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