LinkedIn goes 'lite' to expand into Indian market

Bengaluru: Professional networking site LinkedIn today launched a lighter version of its mobile website and other products as part of its efforts to tap into students and young professionals beyond the metros in India.

The company has followed the footsteps of Facebook, which picked up India as a test bed for the lighter version of its app. The lighter versions are designed to work on slow and often patchy telecom networks in the country.

India, which has 37 million LinkedIn members, is the second largest user base for the US-based company after its home market. "We are deeply focused on localising our products and services to create much value for Indian members and customers," LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner told reporters here.

'LinkedIn Lite' loads four times faster and provides a better experience to users in urban and rural areas with patchy networks, LinkedIn country manager and head of product for India Akshay Kothari said, adding that the version will be available in the next few weeks.

LinkedIn's counts prominent thought leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Piyush Gupta (Group CEO, DBS Bank) and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Chairman and Managing Director, Biocon) among its users.

LinkedIn, which had accepted a USD 26.2 billion buyout offer from technology giant Microsoft in June, has more than 450 million members globally. The company has also announced the launch of LinkedIn Placements and LinkedIn Starter Pack to target segments like students, professionals and companies.

The three "strategic" initiatives are first-of-its-kind initiatives for LinkedIn, all designed and made in India, the company official said. "India is increasingly an important part of the economy and the global work force," he added.

LinkedIn Placements will offer an online assessment test that will give students direct access to openings in 35 top corporates in India, while LinkedIn Starter Pack is aimed at startups and small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs).