The changes, announced in the company’s official blog, include the Facebook-like inclusion of relevant people in your network in banner ads. For instance, a recruitment ad could show people in your network who could refer you for the advertised job.
Another new format is LinkedIn Ads, which bolsters the advertiser’s credibility by showing how many people have recommended or follow the company. LinkedIn Ads is a self-service solution, meaning the process of buying the ads is automated. So far, the ads have only rolled out to a small portion of members.
Like Facebook, LinkedIn is grappling with the question of how to employ advertising solutions that exploit the social nature of its network without compromising users’ privacy. On June 10, LinkedIn began giving members the opportunity to opt out of being featured in advertising when they follow or recommend a company.