LinkedIn plans to create Clubhouse competitor

LinkedIn launches its own Clubhouse-like audio-based networking feature, as part of its Creator Mode offering which encourages users to share personal updates. — Dreamstime/TNS

LinkedIn is joining the audio-chat social network bandwagon, with its own competitor to Clubhouse.

TechCrunch reported on the audio-based networking feature, where there’s a stage showcasing the room’s speakers and a set of listeners below.

The report also mentioned that there were tools to join and leave the room, react to comments, and request to speak, as per screenshots of the interface posted by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, who first discovered the feature in the LinkedIn Android app.

LinkedIn spokesperson Suzi Owens spokesperson confirmed the feature, telling the site that its differentiator was that it is connected with users’ professional identity, not just a social profile.

This follows its efforts to support content production rather than being an online resume, with the launch of a Creator Mode that enables users to set their profile as one that can be followed for updates, through Stories, LinkedIn Live videos and such.

Owens said the social network was also looking at how to bring audio to other parts of its platform like events and groups, to give users more ways to connect to their community.

LinkedIn also has existing investments into moderation tools, built for other features like LinkedIn Live, which it believes can address concerns over inappropriate discussions that Clubhouse faced.

No timeframe was given for the launch of the audio networking feature, but it will begin beta testing soon.

Coinciding with the sudden popularity of Clubhouse, other social networks like Facebook and Twitter have also started exploring similar features, building the “Live Rooms” and “Spaces”, respectively.