LinkedIn Explores In-App Gaming to Divert User Attention from Job Searching

LinkedIn is venturing into the realm of in-app gaming, providing yet another avenue to divert your attention from job searching. The games will include rankings of companies based on the performance scores of their employees.

Developing New Gaming Experience

LinkedIn, a popular social platform under the Microsoft umbrella, has long been known as a hub for networking, professional development, and recruitment. It boasts over 1 billion users.

LinkedIn is exploring new territory by potentially introducing puzzle-based games to engage its users beyond traditional networking activities. TechCrunch has confirmed that LinkedIn is in the process of developing a new gaming experience.

Leveraging the puzzle craze that has propelled games like Wordle to viral fame and attracted millions of players, LinkedIn aims to introduce a series of games, including "Queens," "Inference," and "Crossclimb."

App researchers have uncovered code indicating LinkedIn's gaming initiative. Nima Owji, one such researcher, noted that LinkedIn appears to be exploring the concept of organizing player scores by workplace, potentially allowing companies to be ranked based on these scores.

This move aims to inject some fun into the platform, strengthen relationships, and potentially spark engaging conversations. More updates on this initiative are expected in the future. Additionally, it was noted that the images shared by the researcher on X do not represent the latest versions.

Experiencing Varied Outcomes

Some companies that have heavily invested in gaming have experienced varied outcomes. Puzzle-based casual games consistently rank among the top choices for mobile phone and PC users, driving significant revenues and user engagement.

This genre has garnered immense popularity among mobile users. Interestingly, non-gaming platforms have historically leveraged this trend to enhance their traffic. This is not new and can be traced back to the pre-internet era, with crosswords and puzzles being widely enjoyed in newspapers and magazines.

Acquiring Wordle in 2022, The New York Times reported at the end of last year that millions of players continue to enjoy the game. Wordle is now integrated into a broader platform of online puzzles and games developed by the newspaper.

Facebook, the largest social network globally, has significantly driven social gaming for many years. However, in 2022, it discontinued its standalone gaming app due to dwindling usage. Instead, Facebook is now prioritizing mixed reality experiences and its Meta Quest business.

LinkedIn has undergone numerous trials of innovative features aimed at elevating user interaction on its platform. The core strategy seems centered on tailoring prevalent tools to suit the needs of LinkedIn's professional audience, thus emphasizing its commitment to professional networking and development.

LinkedIn's initiatives have spanned various domains, including online education and professional development, alongside launching a publishing and news segment.

Furthermore, the platform has expanded its repertoire by incorporating additional video tools and actively engaging with creators and influencers to enhance its offerings.