A message to all of the LinkedIn Karens.

Earlier today, I saw a post by Melanie Borden discussing how LinkedIn has changed for the better over the years. It motivated me to finally make a reaction post to a small group of "LinkedIn Karens" who, without fail, scream and rant at any post that doesn't fit the corporate image for being out of place. The common refrain is "take this to Facebook; this is LinkedIn."

The precipitating event that triggered me (yes, I am using that appropriate Millennial phrase on purpose) was a response to a heartfelt emotional post from a CEO talking about how their son had died from suicide five years earlier.

It was NOT virtue signaling as the "Karen" cruelly claimed while scolding them it didn't belong on LinkedIn; it was an open call for anyone contemplating suicide to get help.

NEWSFLASH FOR KAREN

LinkedIn guided itself into the awesome Facebook-like social network it is today. I was there; I saw it happen in real time. So to all LinkedIn Karens who spew anger and vitriol at people for being human, I wholeheartedly say, "STFU, get a life and read on."

LinkedIn, the professional networking platform, has significantly transformed in recent years. Starting as a straightforward corporate network in 2003, LinkedIn has grown into a thriving social network with a diverse user base in 2023.

One of the critical turning points for the platform was the Microsoft acquisition in 2016. This acquisition brought significant resources to LinkedIn and allowed the platform to tap into Microsoft's vast network of users and partnerships.

As someone from the San Francisco Bay Area, I observed LinkedIn's strategically planned transformation firsthand. In 2012, I had close friends in my IRL social network in LinkedIn senior management who shared how they were working on expanding the platform's reach and appealing to a larger audience.

LinkedIn leadership recognized that the professional networking space was becoming increasingly crowded and that they needed to differentiate themselves to stand out. That this was the direction LinkedIn was heading, and looking back; it was visionary. It was one of the reasons Microsoft threw down $26B to buy them.

One of the ways they did this was by focusing on building a more social aspect of the platform to make it more personal. In late 2012 they introduced features like endorsements, skills, and groups, which allowed users to connect with others in their industry and build their brand.

They also made the platform more visually appealing by enabling users to include photos and videos in their profiles. Later that year and into 2013, they launched Influencers, platforms in eight new languages, and an iPad app. Everything needed to become more like Facebook but better.

The 微软 acquisition in 2016 was a strategic decision that allowed LinkedIn to take these efforts to the next level. With Microsoft's resources and user base, LinkedIn accelerated its growth and reached a much larger audience.

Today, LinkedIn is a thriving, socially diverse network with nearly 800 ?million users worldwide, making it the most comprehensive professional networking platform on the internet.

What does this mean for me?

FACTIER FACT: I have never been motivated or inspired by a Karen.

I have been motivated by good people here, Danielle Mills Walden who posts the nicest things; Corina Burton?? , who is going to break the internet if she keeps posting, Melanie Borden , the queen of authenticity; Parry Headrick , who slowly but surely is elevating PR pros above lawyers and last but not least, Heather Monahan ., the best true to life comeback story ever. Her books "Overcome Your Villians" and "Confidence Creator" are inspiring reads.

I hope to see LinkedIn launch Instagram and Facebook-like stories in the future, maybe even a marketplace for services and goods or a virtual experience like Virbela . Wouldn't that be awesome?

Regardless of the Karens, LinkedIn is the best social network, and the LinkedIn Karens can .

Any thoughts?

Serine Bagdassarian