The social network for business just got a whole lot more visually appealing as LinkedIn has made some updates to its mobile profiles feature.
The company wants to become more visually pleasing for demanding users in the social media space. The new refreshed look features large readable text over top a color gradient background with a clear photo of the LinkedIn user.
The app's design changes apply to both Android and iOS (iPad and iPhone) devices, including smartphones and tablets, according to a report. The mobile web version has also been updated. The update was codenamed "Blue Steel" by LinkedIn, with the goal to simplify the overall user experience.
The update to its mobile app might actually make employee scouting ideal because it will put the user's career information front and center for easier consumption. For example, the top of new profiles will provide others a bit of the most important user information including their location, company, current position, education and their social and professional connections. Users can also view others' most recent activity and the most recent published posts.
Just three years ago, LinkedIn's mobile audience only represented about 8 percent of its user base, but the company now expects that figure to jump to more than 50 percent by this year, according to another similar report. The app will remind users to update their profile if they have not done so. There is also a "Who's viewed your profile" section on the app (similar to the desktop website) that will allow users to see who has been checking out their profile.
Graphic elements appear as blocks that are easier to digest. Reading a profile is much more simple and intuitive. Buttons also appear larger and clearer.
In addition to aesthetic changes, LinkedIn also provided easier ways to edit profiles. The company will alert users when information is not complete and urge users to edit the missing information on their profiles.
The app design took time factors into consideration in the quest to simplify the LinkedIn user experience, according to another report. For one, the company wanted to place the most relevant and important information at the top. Additionally, it wanted to order that information by how much time a user has to look at it.
LinkedIn wants to grow its user base past its current 300 million members. LinkedIn also has paid premium memberships. The company went public in 2011 and has been a major force in tech and social media, as well as a source for professionals around the globe. The company has a presence in several countries including the U.S., Brazil and India.
