LinkedIn to Allow Pictures

LinkedIn is going to allow its users to post pictures of themselves. LinkedIn, if you're not familiar with them, is a social network geared towards business. They very recently allowed users to post pictures of themselves. According to LinkedIn, the primary reason was because it was a very requested feature. They also denied rumors that they added the feature just because rival social network Facebook was becoming more used as a business social network.

As LinkedIn attempts to keep an air of professionalism about its site, allowing pictures was a reluctant move, as pictures are associated with more informal social networks. LinkedIn also does not want to encourage discrimination. One the other hand, it's nice to be able to see someone. And LinkedIn has enabled the ability to flag pictures that are innapropriate, lessening the blow of informality. In addition to that, they recommend a professional looking headshot for pictures. And finally, they are allowing HR reps to turn off images, to counter the possibility that images will influence hiring.

This is quite the interesting little dilemma. A social network is being forced to compromise because its users want it to. In addition to that, they're approaching the picture idea quite a bit differently than any other social network. Rather than allowing its members a little place to further express themselves, it is allowing them nothing more than a simple picture. Granted, the networks' purpose is for business. With that in mind, it's an interesting look into the inner workings of business and proffesionalism.