Seemingly out of the blue, LinkedIn just added a new feature to its mobile app that lets users exchange voice messages — because that's how intimate co-workers are, right? They send each other voice clips.
The professional networking platform argues that it's sometimes easier to say things out loud instead of typing long messages.
"Whether you're responding while walking or multitasking, or need to give an in-depth explanation, voice messages let you more easily and quickly communicate in your own voice with your connections," the company explained in a blog post.
Voice Message Feature On LinkedIn Explained
The voice recording feature is scheduled to roll out in the coming weeks. It'll be available in both the iOS and Android versions of the LinkedIn app. Users will be able to receive messages on mobile and on the desktop site. They can record minute-long voice messages by tapping the new microphone icon in the messaging keyboard.
"We hope this makes it easier than ever to communicate when you want, how you want with your professional community," said LinkedIn.
Why Did LinkedIn Add Voice Messaging?
LinkedIn laid out three primary reasons why it's adding voice messaging:
One, convenience. The company thinks that sending voice messages, as mentioned, is easier than typing them out. Two, delay. LinkedIn thinks that leaving voice messages instead of calling people is more convenient for recipients because they might not always be available. Three, expression. The company argues that users will be able to express themselves better by speaking out loud instead of typing.
Those are perfectly reasonable arguments to make, of course. Only LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, and surely not everyone is friendly enough with their co-workers to the point of leaving voice messages. Such things feel more personal, intimate. Which is exactly why it's best suited for friends, not people one works with. It's relatively rare, as TechCrunch notes, to call up someone to discuss potential employment or recruiting, which is what LinkedIn is primarily for. Sending emails is perfectly acceptable in such scenarios.
In any case, it's just an option, and users won't be forced to send voice messages if they don't want to. If this proves to be widely used, though, it's easy to imagine LinkedIn will follow it up with more intimate methods of communication. Just wait till it introduces video chat as well.
Microsoft acquired LinkedIn in 2016 for nearly $27 billion.
