What is LinkedIn mobile site?

LinkedIn mobile site refers to the mobile-optimized version of LinkedIn that can be accessed on smartphones and tablets. It allows LinkedIn members to access core LinkedIn features and services through the mobile web, without needing to download the LinkedIn mobile app.

Why does LinkedIn have a mobile site?

LinkedIn offers a mobile site for several key reasons:

• Accessibility – The mobile site extends LinkedIn’s availability to users who don’t want to or can’t download the mobile app. This allows more people to access LinkedIn on the go.
• Reach – Studies show that 60% of digital media time is now spent on mobile. The mobile site allows LinkedIn to effectively reach users wherever they are.
• Speed – The mobile site offers a faster, streamlined experience that is optimized for slower mobile networks and minimizes data usage.
• Flexibility – The mobile site can be easily accessed on any web browser on any smartphone. There is no need to download an app.

Overall, the mobile site makes LinkedIn more accessible, expanding its reach and usage among professionals on the go. It complements the LinkedIn mobile app as part of the company’s mobile strategy.

What can you do on LinkedIn’s mobile site?

The LinkedIn mobile site provides access to many of the platform’s core features, including:

• Viewing and updating your profile
• Connecting with professionals in your network
• Searching for jobs
• Searching for people, companies and groups
• Posting articles, photos and updates
• Commenting and liking posts
• Reading your LinkedIn feed
• Receiving notifications
• Sending messages
• Viewing profile visitors and who’s viewed your posts

While the mobile site doesn’t include the full suite of features as the mobile app, it covers the essentials for professionals on the go. You can consume content, network, communicate and update your profile seamlessly from your mobile browser.

Key differences between LinkedIn’s mobile site and app

Here are some of the main differences between the LinkedIn mobile site and mobile app:

In summary, the mobile site offers easier access with limited features, while the mobile app provides the full experience optimized for mobile devices. The mobile app may be preferable for power users who want access to LinkedIn’s full capabilities on the go.

Advantages of using LinkedIn’s mobile site

Here are some of the key advantages of using LinkedIn through the mobile site versus the mobile app:

• No download required – You can instantly access LinkedIn on any browser without needing to install an app.
• Works across devices – The mobile site works seamlessly across iOS, Android and other mobile platforms.
• Uses less data – The pared down mobile site uses less mobile data than the fully featured app.
• Lightweight interface – The interface is streamlined for quick loading and easier use on the go.
• Privacy – The mobile site doesn’t collect as much personal data and doesn’t access device storage.
• Less intrusive – You don’t get as many notifications and background processes draining device battery.

For casual LinkedIn users or those concerned about privacy, the mobile site provides an easy way to access core LinkedIn functions from mobile devices without some of the downsides of mobile apps.

Disadvantages of LinkedIn’s mobile site

The LinkedIn mobile site also has some drawbacks and limitations compared to the mobile app:

• Limited features – Many advanced LinkedIn features are not available or fully optimized for the mobile site.
• No offline access – You can only access the mobile site with an internet connection.
• Basic notifications – You get fewer real-time notifications and alerts on the mobile site.
• Fewer profile options – Mobile site profiles are more barebones and offer less customization.
• Can’t message offline contacts – You can only message connections who are currently online.
• Difficult desktop viewing – The pared down mobile interface doesn’t work as well on desktop.

For power users and professionals who rely heavily on LinkedIn for networking and messaging, the lack of features and real-time notifications on the mobile site may be disadvantageous. The app offers a much more robust experience.

Should you use the LinkedIn mobile site or app?

So should you use LinkedIn’s mobile site or mobile app? Here are some guidelines:

• Use the mobile site if you:
  • Want quick, occasional access on the go
  • Don’t want to install an app
  • Are concerned about mobile data usage
  • Primarily consume content and view profiles
• Use the mobile app if you:
  • Regularly network, message and post on LinkedIn
  • Want access to all LinkedIn features on mobile
  • Don’t mind installing and running an app
  • Need real-time notifications and offline access

In general, occasional users may prefer the lighter mobile site, while professionals who rely on LinkedIn daily for networking and communication will want to use the fuller-featured app.

How to use the LinkedIn mobile site

Using the LinkedIn mobile site is simple. Just follow these steps:

1. On your mobile device, open your preferred web browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox etc).
2. Go to linkedin.com or navigate there via a search engine.
3. Log into your LinkedIn account with your username and password.
4. The LinkedIn mobile interface will load, optimized for your device.
5. You can now use LinkedIn features like searching profiles, posting updates, messaging contacts and more.
6. When done, log out of your account and close the mobile browser.

The LinkedIn mobile site automatically scales to fit your smartphone or tablet screen for easy on-the-go access. You can bookmark the page on your mobile homepage for quick access anytime.

Make sure you have mobile data or wifi enabled on your device – the mobile site requires an internet connection to work.

Tips for using LinkedIn’s mobile site

To get the most out of LinkedIn’s mobile site, keep these tips in mind:

• Use the search bar at the top for quick profile lookups.
• Tap the LinkedIn logo at any time to return to your homepage feed.
• Scroll up and down – don’t rely on static navigation bars.
• Tap icons and menu links rather than typing URLs.
• Keep an eye on your battery and data usage as you browse.
• Enable mobile notifications for real-time alerts (limited).
• Bookmark favorite pages like Groups for easy access.
• Use “Reader Mode” on long articles to minimize distractions.

Also, be aware the mobile site may have limited support for LinkedIn’s more advanced functionalities like job postings, company pages and advertising. You’ll have the best experience sticking to core networking and messaging features.

The future of LinkedIn’s mobile offering

LinkedIn is likely to continue enhancing both its mobile site and app experiences in the future:

• The mobile site will likely become more streamlined and lightweight.
• Top features like messaging may get added to improve parity with the app.
• The app will gain more productivity and intelligence features.
• Cross-platform syncing and functionality with the desktop site will improve.
• LinkedIn’s mobile offerings may become more integrated and complementary.
• Mobile experiences across LinkedIn’s family of apps may also become more unified.

As mobile usage continues to climb, having both a solid mobile web presence and fully featured app will be key for LinkedIn to engage professionals wherever they are. Improving and integrating these mobile experiences is critical for LinkedIn’s continued relevance and growth.

Conclusion

LinkedIn’s mobile website provides a simple yet powerful way for professionals to access core LinkedIn networking and communication features on the go through any mobile browser. While more limited than LinkedIn’s full-fledged mobile apps, the mobile site offers quick, data-efficient access for casual use cases. As part of LinkedIn’s overall mobile strategy, the capabilities and role of the mobile site will likely continue to evolve and expand. For professionals who embrace mobile, understanding how to best leverage both LinkedIn’s mobile site and apps can help maximize productivity and results.