Walked into an interesting question this morning at a seminar, and thought I’d share it here…
“What’s up about not showing last names for 3rd degree contacts?”
What?!?
It looks similar
LinkedIn always allowed users a privacy setting to display “First Name, Last Initial”, so I’ll give myself some slack on not noticing the change. But sure enough, users can no longer see the full last names of 3rd degree connections. (as well as group connections)
You can only see the full name of 1st and 2nd degree connections.
Stealth release
No, you find this blogged about on the LinkedIn site, I guess they don’t consider it a new “feature”.
It is mentioned in the “help” section, because I’m sure a number of people are looking for an answer – it is definitely different than it was a month ago…
Premium account
That is certainly part of the reasoning – a basic account is getting less from the system now that they did before.
Perhaps the brass at LinkedIn think the free product is just too good.
(And this is odd because at the same event this morning, I suggested that LinkedIn seems to be adding a cost to the new features added, and that consumers of the free product ought to reasonably believe the good free product will remain available… Guess the egg’s on me)
Search only
Apparently the name is withheld on search results – so if you get to a profile from some other means – like through a recommendation – you see the full name.
Internet workaround
An easy workaround – copy the individual’s headline, and search on First Name, Headline (in quotes), and linkedin.com – and I bet you’ll find the individual’s last name most of the time.
Other changes…
Guess I’m going to have to come out with information on some other changes too – it never seems to end around here;-)
To your continued success,
steve
—
Steven Tylock
http://www.linkedinpersonaltrainer.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevetylock
Premium account
That is certainly part of the reasoning – a basic account is getting less from the system now that they did before.