How LinkedIn uses big data to increase visibility and enhance your brand

Who wouldn't like more LinkedIn profile page views? Thanks to newly updated “Who's Viewed Your Profile” section, users can now take advantage of personalized tips aimed at boosting page views. One of the main features that has distinguished LinkedIn from the other major social-media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, has been the ability to see who has viewed your profile. Now, by tapping into the power of big data, LinkedIn's new layout for “Who's Viewed Your Profile” includes impressive analytics and real-time “actionable insights” meant to increase profile visibility and enhance one's professional brand. Before, users could only see how often their profile was viewed and a list of the most recent users to check out their page. Now, LinkedIn breaks down the data even further, showing the industry viewers work in, the keyword searches that brought them to a profile, how they found a specific user, what regions they live in, what profession they are in and what companies they work for. Despite these new LinkedIn capabilities, users still have the option to protect their privacy by changing what others see when you have reviewed their profile. Instead of showing a name and headline, users can edit their settings and choose to display anonymous profile details, such as title and industry, or go completely anonymous. In addition to the increased data potential, LinkedIn's update also offers its users personalized tips on how to gain more clicks and views. For example, building connections can draw more eyes to your profile and lead to exciting new sales opportunities. Adding skills and a strong, detailed summary makes a LinkedIn profile more relevant and helps one stand out against the competition. Or, sharing a suggested trending article can help establish industry thought leadership and build a larger online following. LinkedIn's new features are being rolled out worldwide starting today. Caitlin Zucal is the marketing/social media coordinator at RegEd.