Now, follow leaders on LinkedIn

LinkedIn, leading professional network with over 175 million members globally of which more than 15 million professionals are from India, has announced that members can now subscribe to posts from global thought leaders, a feature that’s uncannily similar to Twitter and Facebook.

Starting with 150 of the most influential and prominent LinkedIn members that include names like Barack Obama, Deepak Chopra, as well as industry-specific movers and shakers such as entrepreneurship gurus like Michael Arrington, business luminaries like Richard Branson, and social media notables like Pete Cashmore. Members who follow these leaders will receive status updates, longer form posts, videos and more from these leader’ profiles.

The concept of ‘following leaders’ is new to LinkedIn, whose system requires users to send requests to establish a connection. Previously, LinkedIn users could get updates from companies and industries but not individuals unless those individuals approved the connection. With the follow feature, the professional networking site hopes to give its users more reasons to visit LinkedIn other than just job searching or updating their professional profiles.

“In addition to having access to status updates, you’ll start to see longer form and original posts from influencers with videos, photos, and Slideshare presentations...Over the next few months, you’ll see us continue to expand the list of influencers you can follow,” claims Ryan Roslansky, Head of Content Products at LinkedIn in an official blog post.

LinkedIn is probably hoping this move will get users to spend more time on the site. Take for instance, Facebook where about 955 million people regularly post photos, status updates and links to other interesting stories on the Internet.