LinkedIn: Can We Have an Open Relationship?

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LinkedIn, the popular business networking website, has launched InApps, its new OpenSocial-based application platform.

InApps will be similar to the platforms found on networks like MySpace and Facebook, minus the "crap apps" that hamper those popular networks. What makes InApps different is that the apps must be "approved" before they will become active and all of the apps must be professional in nature to gain approval.

Apps will not be permitted to use any 3rd-party ad networks. Instead, they’ll have to use LinkedIn’s built-in ad system. For now, apps can only utilize LinkedIn’s current ad inventory, which in reality could make their targeting less than effective. Apps can still charge users for individual goods and can also utilize a "paid subscription" model. One of their launch partners, Box.net, is already using this model.

There are also a few "home-made" apps, like those that search for a given company's mention on Twitter, for example.

If you are in any way serious about networking within your industry, you should be using LinkedIn, along with Ziggs, for higher visibility (and for some link-love too!).

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