Professional social network LinkedIn is rolling out a Facebook-style tool that allows users to mention and hyperlink people and companies on the network in status updates and conversations.
The feature works the same way as it does on Facebook, suggesting a name from a drop-down menu when the user begins to type it.
“LinkedIn members are involved in millions of conversations across LinkedIn day after day,” said the company’s Associate Product Manager, Angela Yoonjeong Yang in a blog post. “That’s why we want to make it even easier for you to start those conversations, share knowledge with one another and ultimately become even better at what you do.”
The person or company you mention will receive a notification alerting them that they have been mentioned. In addition to first-degree connections, Yang said you can also mention other LinkedIn members engaged in conversations in the comment sections of posts on the Homepage.
“Mentions will make it easier for you to start conversations with your network while also enabling you to respond in real-time when someone begins a conversation with you,” Yang added.
Here’s what a LinkedIn spokesperson had to say about the feature, which is still in testing.
“We are currently testing the ability for members to directly mention each other in professional conversations on LinkedIn. This test is part of our ongoing efforts to help members further engage with their networks in meaningful ways across the LinkedIn platform.”
The introduction of direct mentions follows the addition of Endorsements, which allows users to endorse skills other members have listed on their profile, or recommend a skill that they haven’t added yet.
This article was originally published on the Inquirer.