LinkedIn's Growth Beats Facebook's

So you think Facebook's growing rapidly, huh?  Well, check this out. Nielsen just released its latest ranking of the top social networks (for the month of October 2007), and it shows LinkedIn grew at a significantly faster clip than any of the top ten -- even oh-so-hip darling Facebook. Of course, these numbers reflect usage at both home and work, and the latter is the traditional stronghold of professional network LinkedIn. But Facebook's made no secret about expanding its user base into the adult working world, too -- not just college kids passing around party pix.

What's surprising is that, even with all the rapid -- and rabid -- Facebook adoption lately by us professionals (yes, I'm hooked, too), LinkedIn is growing even faster. Hipness is not everything, it seems -- functionality matters, too. And LinkedIn has built up a pretty good stronghold in the professional networking/recruiting/job search space. (And you have to love founder Reid Hoffman also having a nice stake in Facebook as an early investor.)

Another reason LinkedIn may be scoring bigger growth: I'm not aware of companies banning it at work, but I certainly have heard that to be the case with Facebook inside some firms.
What's your experience?  Should either of these sites be banned at work?  [The nerve of these employers, thinking people shouldn't be searching for new jobs or sharing party invites when they're supposed to be working...  :-)]

UPDATE (Thanksgiving Day, 11/22): Oh, this is too funny. GigaOM just posted Giving Thanks for...Facebook?

UPDATE (11/23): You have to love this juicy tidbit via TechCrunch UK.... Rumour: NewsCorp to Buy LinkedIn.  I think it could very well be true -- I agree with one of the commenters that LinkedIn + the WSJ could be a great combo.

 

Comments

[Don Ball]

I, too, have been hooked by FB. It captures my attention and interest in a way that LinkedIn never has. Unlike LinkedIn, which I only return to when I get a new connection notice, I'm checking FB a few times a day. So, while LinkedIn may have more recruits, I think FB is far more engaging and addictive.

I think what makes FB more effective for networking is that it offers more ways for one to represent their personal brand. I have used it to connect and cement ties with new clients and contacts by being able to share common interests.

[Derek]

well why employers are banning facebook in the offices are cause the employees might not concentrate on the work and might just play around...It might happen with linkedin as well giving some other reasons. But people are inventing so many innovative things that facebook, linkedin & all such networks are not just restricted to computers....U can access it through mobile as well...recently i came across this site called modazzle.com?channel=graemethickins.typepad
they have gone 1 step ahead, with this site you don't need internet, u can access Linkedin on phone via sms.

[Graeme Thickins]

yes, I agree, Don -- FB has so much more appeal than LinkedIn.....but at least the latter finally added photos!(duh)

one thing: LinkedIn doesn't have more recruits (if by that you meant users) -- just a higher growth rate than FB, at least last month....FB's user population is way higher than LinkedIn's

and Derek: thanks for the heads up to Modazzle.com....
that's pretty cool!

cheers,
Graeme

[Faisal Riaz]

I personally prefer using Linkedin. I'm surprised to see why Orkut isnt listed in the list? Is Google's approach going down?

[Faheem Shahzad]

I enjoy LinkedIn more than FaceBook and above all, I am a regular visitor of Orkut, yet to find something really interesting. To date, I don't feel comfortable @ Facebook.. don't know why?
Any clues ?

[Graeme Thickins]

@Faheem - Well, when you get comfortable with one system or UI, then maybe others just don't feel right? I find it interesting that you say you "enjoy" LinkedIn -- most people would never put it that way, meaning that it's anything like fun. It's utilitarian, whereas Facebook is definitely fun. I think most all FB users would agree on that point.