Some of you may have noticed a new site navigation experience on LinkedIn. We are in the process of testing a new design. During this testing phase, some users will see the new design, while others will not.
What’s New
- A global navigation bar at the top of the page that provides convenient access to all LinkedIn services.
- Simplified local navigation within each of the LinkedIn areas (Profile, Contacts, Groups, etc.).
- More room available for page content. Less scrolling.
- A cleaner, less-cluttered look.
An easier way to navigate and find information on LinkedIn
We began the redesign effort several months ago by analyzing how people use LinkedIn. We looked at what features people use the most and pored over several years of data from usability research on the site. Armed with this information we began doing design explorations of how to better organize LinkedIn features, and make them more convenient to find and use.
We factored into this effort additional features we knew were coming. We narrowed down the designs to a few candidates we felt were strong contenders. We then prototyped these designs and had users perform tasks with the prototypes in the usability lab. We went through numerous iterations until we arrived at a design we felt worked the best. One of the key features of the new design is that it allows much more space for page content – information about you and your professional network.
We are now doing limited testing of the new design. We are still iterating and would love to hear your feedback! Please consider this blog post one of the many ways to let us know what you think.
Feel free to either leave a comment at the bottom of the page or @linkedin us on twitter as well.
- Topics:
- Design,
- New LinkedIn Features
Comments
Hi, the new design looks great from the thumbnails. Would love to be included in the beta test!
I would LOVE to be in the test group. I train people on LinkedIn daily and would be very interested in understanding the new design first hand. Possible?
Since I am one of those not seeing the new navigation I can’t be sure how you have merged the personal navigation with navigation of services. That will be a key trade off with your more real estate goal for content. I don’t have data but as I think I use both navigation bars equally.
Good luck and continue the good work.
Ahh, that looks great. Profiles were getting a little crowded…
Hi Kevin and LinkedIn Team,
Very cool!
I like the new design. Glad to see you are creating the additional viewing space above the fold. It appears that by moving to a cleaner menu at the top of the page LinkedIn will pick-up about 10-15% more viewing space. This would also make a great layout for M.LinkedIn.com.
Keep up the good work – Look forward to testing/using the new layout
Best regards,
TimBaileyGR
Will this also include changes to company pages on LinkedIn? Maybe that is something you are looking to do in another phase?
Looking forward to seeing the new look. While I prefer the logic behind the vertical list of options, I definitely think the horizontal tool bar is the better design – and more inline with other sites and designs.
Pretty it up all you want but do not remove the left hand navigation bar or at least give us an option for horizontal or vertical formatting. I am a member of a number of groups and manager of a couple and having the groups in the lefthand bar all the time makes my life easier. Having to go to a drop down menu that I am likely going to have to scroll down on, too, makes it more difficult. Thanks for trying to improve the experience but make sure it’s an improvement for all of us. Thanks.
I like the new layout! I still need to get used to it. But I would like to see my number of connections on the Home screen like before.
The new redesign really looks great. The biggest thing for me that hurt the user experience, IMO, were the multiple navigations. Half the time I wanted to click up top, but then had to click through twice just to get to a certain link on the left. So, definitely a welcomed change.
Looking forward to seeing this new design roll out soon.
LinkedIn has always been very easy to navigate, but the new design looks even better. Opt me in!
I am one of those who is seeing the test format – I do not like it at all. The prior format, I believe, was much easier to read. This new format distorts the right hand side of page – runs off. When I go to my profile – there is no where to link to my public profile
Please bring back to the prior format!!!
Really nice looking. I’m looking forward to being in the In crowd when it rolls out!
The snapshots of the new design look good, and I’m all for less scrolling.
How about making some changes to the Questions? I’ve noticed that several people don’t select best answers, so it seems there’s a pretty big resource of peer-selected experts that’s unidentified.
Looks awesome! Please put me on the beta list!!
Looking forward to the new design. More control over what the user sees is a definitely improvement. Thanks!
I think you’re on the right track with this. Based on the screen shots the only feedback I would give is that there is (still) very little separation between page content and the top navigation. LinkedIn has always suffered from key navigation items getting lost in the mix. One of the most common pieces of feedback I hear when training existing users on the tool is ‘I never noticed that was there’ (referring to a piece of navigation – example is reference search). On a side note, the new features that have been popping up over the last few weeks are greatly appreciated. Good work.
Got/getting better and better! Very cool!
Sending message/invite sometimes confuses me
This is great to hear.
What I’m really hoping will improve is the initial page load time. It’s flat dreadful right now. Also, please keep iPhones and Nokia N900s (et al) in mind when you redesign. I’m accessing LinkedIn more and more from my pre-release N900… and right now the experience is a bit painful.
This is a cool new design, thanx LinkedIn team..
As a web developer I often find it interesting when I “experience” a redesign as a user and not the developer. It gives me a first hand experience on what happens when a website I am already sued to using, (good or bad) decides to change its design. My opinion is that as a developer I believe users will love the new upgrades, because I designed it so well!
But the user in me says, I hate when a site gets redesigned. no matter how it looks, being that if I get used to features and navigations have been moved or changed I get frustrated, because its a change and people ahem I will speak for myself, I hate change.
I use the status update a lot in linked it in that was one of the first things that I noted was different. In the end as soon as I learn how things have changed I can begin to accept and enjoy the new look and feel.
–
Thanks and Regards
Noel for Nopun.com
a graphic design studio
I have been offering training in using Linkedin since 2006 and I am very excited about the enhancements of group for that let’s 50 million + people have more personal discussions that are uniquely relevant to them.
Martin Brossman
These changes look like a great start to get things moving and make LinkedIn more user friendly. Can’t wait to test drive them myself.
Just going by the screenshots, I think the new design is definitely a step in the right direction.
Let’s talk about streamlining that sent mail box. Suggest allowing people to delete the list of people we sent contact requests to – I just want to know the ones that have not yet accepted. Don’t what to go through a bunch of pages showing people who accepted the request.
Also, would like the ability to delete outstanding requests sent – so basically make it like any other in-box in a regular e-mail program where you can delete messages.
Also – permanently deleting messages as opposed to archiving would be nice – then could just archive the important messages and get rid of the junk – again better management of information.
Looking forward to seeing the new layout- please add me to the opt-in list if you are currently doing that- happy to be a beta tester for feedback and insight..
As a member of the “Friends of Linked In” group am surprised we were not automatically added to the beta so: please add me – thanks!
The new page is missing lots of information. There is no left bar so no access to my inbox, groups, etc.
Must be some kind of bug. Please fix or get me off this test ASAP.
@George – Since you are now seeing the new site design the left bar info can be found in the navigation across the top. Hovering your mouse over Inbox and Groups across the top will reveal what you are looking for. If not, please contact Customer Service and they can report it and look into this further. Dirk
Hey Kevin,
The screen shots look very promising. Unfortunately, I’m not in the test group. I hope it’s testing well, as it looks like a good improvement.
Stan
I’d love to have a look at the beta version, a welcome revamp
Hello
This new design is very nice with its simple look.I like it very much.Thank you very much for giving this new design to us.Keep up the good work.
That looks excellent!
How does one go about becoming part of your testing group?
regards,
Jakob
Hi there,
The new design looks great from the thumbnails. I would like to be included in the beta test.
Regards,
- Ahmet
Fantastic.. looking forward for the new design
I like the new design. However, I would like to see my total number of connections on the home page again.
I liked the new design a lot. With the tabbed navigation, its a lot more easier. However there is one thing that I personally would like to have. In the Groups tab it would be nice if the user can decide the three groups of his /her choice to be displayed in the Menu instead of displaying three groups using inbuilt logic. This would help the user to navigate quickly to the group that is followed with much higher interest.
The new design means I have to scroll more! I don’t see everything on my screen from left to right. Is this a screen resolution issue?
I like the look/feel of your new design based on what you’ve described. However, any chance that you may be able to integrate the new “Folders” as one of the quick touch drop downs as well. (Hey – gotta keep your paying customers happy too!!)
Thanks-
Paul
My news module has disappeared and cant get it back. Everything else looks ok and i am still testing it.
Thanks
Muhammad
I really do like the new look and feel. More room, not as cluttered, and quite easy to move around in. I’d like to see the number of connections appear someplace though. Nice work, Kevin!
I was surprised when my Linkedin home page changed about 10 days ago. I agree it is cleaner and makes room for more content, but some things about the new design I don’t like.
On my home screen I feel there needs to be something along the left side. I did prefer the menu there, but also aesthetically it looks like something is missing, like the screen was cut off. I don’t mind the design change as much in the profile and groups pages.
thanks
Heather
Hi, interesting new navigation structure. Would be even more interesting to see what is behind all those other menu items. Does anyone know?
Thanks!
Rainer
I love the new page…but my linkedin page is still old one…so how do i get my new linkedin page…please reply me on iburhani@take-es.com
Like the new design… certainly does give more room for content. As I have started training people in how to use Linkedin, would also love to be part of the testing group!
Best of luck,
Margaret
Some of our new users would like to switch to the old navigation structure. How can I help them change from the test new navigation view to the previous.
Some of the changes are good, some not so good. I like the old contacts page which quickly showed me which of my contacts had recently added new contacts. Now it takes a number of clicks to accomplish the same thing: Go to contacts page, click on recent activity, click on connections with new connections, then two clicks to get to their profile. This is much more cumbersome. Also, a ton of the screen space is now wasted; there’s a whole blank panel when you first land on the screen. The old format was much more usable.
I hate it. Less tools at my fingertips. Will be much harder to use for newbies, as the functions aren’t displayed. It doesn’t provide less scrolling. It took three visits for my Connections to display, only saw a blank page.
I noticed that there are no real complaints in this blog. I’m sure my post will not appear!
Please bring back my LinkedIn. I don’t understand what you’re thinking.
@Mark, the majority of the feedback (as reflected here) has been positive.
But, we’d love to hear all feedback. I’ve passed on your comments to Kevin. Thanks!
I would agree with evaluation of these changes:
3. More room available for page content….
4. A cleaner, less-cluttered look.
But is not so with others:
1) global navigation – I’m heavy user of question and answers – and now I must do additional click to reach a functionality I need (Q&A, Ask Question)… not saying, it is not intuitive to find them (especially for new members). Do LI stuff think, Q&A are not an important part more?
2) Also it is not intuitive clear, where I could find an information (earlier being at home page) – I must run around and search for it…
I just forget to inform about one of problem I’ve met:
–
Something strange hapenned – new layout was introduced a some time ago, but I still saw the old layout but now I find that some functions was missed during that time – for example, I did not see any requests to join to my groups and could not approve them. All they (accumulated requests) appeared suddenly at once when new LI layout appeared (a day before)…
Could the new look make provision for shorter group names in the navigation bar. Long names tend to limit sites displayed. thanks
Awesome, changes as a Linkedin Coach please, consider me for upcoming Beta testing pojects.
hi there, I noticed that something is going on – because the ‘old’ version only comes up occasionally and the new version does not come up at all. instead I see an awful page which is nearly impossible to work with!!! not very pleasant….
It seems that i am the only one how doesn’t like to be selected randomly. I prefer the old interface. I red the book how to really use linkedin and it seems i can throw away that book
It would be nice if someone can remove me from this testphase and give back my previous interface.
best regards
Ton Tognolli
I am one of the few that is having a test run. I much prefer the old interface.
I love the new page…but my linkedin page is still old one…so how do i get my new linkedin page…please reply to me on the email address provided. Thanks
@Kevin and others- This is still in early release stages with an eventual rollout to everyone. Thanks!
Dear Kevin,
Does the new visual design also mean updated technology?
I have heard the rumour that the number of groups one may join is limited to 50.
Is this true?
Can you or anybody else dissipate my doubts or is it really true?
If this is the case, the LinkedIn technicians have another job to do in my opinion.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Daniel
@Daniel- We’ve been spending a lot of time and effort upgrading our technology on the backend and we will continue to develop the Groups feature. What you have heard is not a rumor. Here is an answer from our Customer Service Center on Group Limits http://linkedin.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/linkedin.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=190.
I understand the value of the bigger window for info and find that useful. I also keep feeling like the order of the tabs needs to be changeable if they are going to put them all in a row. I keep having to go to the pull down tab to get things I use often. I also would enjoy a New / Classic button.
Martin
@Martin- Thanks for your feedback. I am forwarding your suggestions on to our Product Manager responsible for for this new enhancement.
Hi – I would be grateful to be included in the new design test group also.
I much prefer the “old” format. The left navigation pane is easier to use and I liked the “people” “Jobs” “Answers” header frame much better. Please give us (the end user) a choice of the two profile lay outs or customizable modules to better control and personalize the layout.
Oh,my god! It’s a testing new design although that I assumed there was unclear problem with my computer. I am feeling that the old version is easy for reading and checking mail.
What about providing options for users choice?
Love the new design….very easy to adjust to! I’ll be training my office how to better use LinkedIn in a couple weeks, so this will be a nice addition to the training.
Thanks everyone for providing such an amazing professional social networking site!
I am on the test. I wish I had been asked. I don’t like it . Where’s the left hand navigation bar ?
Can you switch mine back the way it was?
I am not a huge fan I am sure I can get used to it but why did you move the search function (when you looking at people) from the left side the right side? I aslo would like a direct link to the advanced people search and my # on connections listed on the home page.
Scot
I mean from the right to left – sorry
Please let me have my 3 column display back. I really dislike the 2 column display.
Hi,
Thats a cool change. The new layout of the homepage is good. The updates take more space in the body of the homepage, it is definitely convenient to read the updates!
I would like to mention here, it would be good if we could have option on the homepage to get the navigation bar back to the left side of the screen.
It’s good to change whenever required.
-”Change is the only thing that is constant”
Cheers
Srini
it’s undoubtedly cleaner – can’t say if it’s easier cuz when you’re used to something however bad a changed version is hard work for quite some time
I wish Q&A wasn’t buried inside “more”
the Inbox is still a disaster and the archiving vs delete is a mess and just a wrongheaded piece of design. it’s near impossible to find stuff you want without hours of scrambling
while the new design looks better,the old one is more functioning. one example is the connections tab, in the old design the connectiond number is appering automatically while this is not happening in the new design. if this can be solved I am OK with the new design.
Regards,
Ahmed
I agree with Gary Kromer. As a group manager I found it easier to have the ledger and group names on the left hand side rather than going through a few additional steps with it across the top. The set-up and page navigation seems a bit off to me, but that may be due to just getting use to the change overall. If there’s a way to allow people to have an option of the ‘old vs. the new’ set up that would be ideal. If not, as with anything,I can adapt to the change with a little time and practice. Thanks for allowing us to give our feedback! Good Luck with the Project!
Rhonda
Please give us the ability to block individuals from Inmailing us! The problems with spam and very lonely people in need of a friend are becoming serious.
Linkedin is the only networking site that doesn’t allow you to block people.
Who Moved my Cheese?!.. I was wondering what had happened to my home page layouts as all my colleagues still have the original version, and I have obviously been chosen at random for the new beta. I manage quite a lot of groups (9 so far, and rising) and so I much preferred the old layout where you could see a summary of groups from the home page without having to navigate to the Groups page. The old page made it a lot easier to manage my Groups. Personally, I think you should give people the option to include a more functional, more cluttered home page – or go for a cleaner, less functional one.
My page changed over the weekend and overall I like the look. It is cleaner. There are a few things that I need to get used to, i.e. the pulldowns at the top. As my contacts and groups have grown, the more scrolling I have had to do. With the new look, I’m doing less scrolling to see network updates on the home page.
I hate the new look – 1 screen with all relevant info is WAY more user friendly
It would have been nice to have a warning on why this “new design” showed up. Trying to instruct students on how to use this when I could not find many of the screens I was used to was frustrating. A very poor roll out indeed.
I liked the left hand bar and wish I could get mine back. As far as company searchs with multiple entries, can you even do that now. It used to be easy to name a company and school and find out where your alum were. Count me as a negative–perhaps because of lack of warning on what you were doing.
@John,
You can see the rationale for the transition both from this post as well as the more recent post – http://blog.linkedin.com/2009/12/09/a-new-way-to-navigate-linkedin/
Thanks for your feedback!
Mario from LinkedIn
I recently received congratulations from Linked In members for a new job I don’t have and never posted. I don’t know how/why the position description got on my site. I don’t use Linked In much, other than accepting new contacts. I just went to the site and edited it to reflect reality. Strangely, it says I just added the “Director, Z Lab” position to the site two days ago but that’s news to me.
Can someone fill me in on how this might have happened?
the old design was better than this one..please restore the old layout, i’m finding it difficult to use the new one.
New design definitely looks good. Neat, precise and efficient although too much whiteness is stopping me to have focus areas on the page. Some definite backgrounds on relevant sections as in profile section would help in to bring in some contrast on the home page as well.
Hi:
You may have worked very hard on this new design, but I have to say I feel like the old layout was a lot more effective. The new one looks cooler, but it makes me less productive. I find it harder to navigate and less intuitive. There’s probably no going back, but I wish I could return to the old LAF.
Also, might I recommend a user notification? I first spent about 30 minutes researching whether or not I had misconfigured my user settings. Then, I checked the help and confirmed that there was indeed a server-side change-up.
Best regards,
Robert
Well, I seem to have ended up with the new design and it is a PITA. More clicks to do the same thing. Yes, it is less cluttered, but more work to navigate. Why can site designers not leave things alone? Or how about giving people the option of what they want to include on the page?
I actually prefer the former site navigation column on the left hand side. Not impressed with the re-jig. There is a saying about “if it ain’t broke, why fix it?”
Thumbs down I’m afraid all the way!Appears to be change for change sake.
Guys… the one screen at at time look and feel doesn’t do it for me. I need a one page, quick look, ‘dash board’ of activity. I cannot go from one page to the next to ‘see’ if there is not activity, emails, etc. The left navigation panel is key to being able to make a quick check, take care of business, and get on with the next task. Perhaps you can make this optional for those who know it, and need it. I have the new view today and not impressed. Sorry.
I dont like it, please restore the column left.
Forgive me for being negative, but the top horizontal menu bar is NOT an improvement. While I realize it frees up page width for better viewing, it greatly slows the navigation process by forcing users to scroll back to page top, selecting (guessing) at a which drop down is needed, and finally clicking on the selection. Your old vertical bar appeared further down the page (thus less up-scrolling), but most importantly sub-options (things such as Network Statistics) could be made permanently
visible.
At the very least – Your menu bar should be locked into a fixed page location (frame) so it’s always visible.
In summary – I hate this menu bar change. Did anyone do a user survey before taking this backward step?
My preference wil be the former site naviagation bar, it was easy to get a quick glance without going into the menus, this new look does not do it for me.
No! I do not like the new set up.
I agree with Michael Bell and other negative comments above.
The old set up allow me greater control over what I saw at a glance vs this way I would spend way too much time brousing from one to another.
Put it back and don’t mess with it.
Or even better, make as many verisons as you want and let the customer pick which viewing style they prefer to use that suits their style.
I also agree that it appears that this change is strickly cosmetic and does nothing for the productivity of your customers.
Put it back please.
Thank you.
As one of the members with this new template, I noticed it right away, but could not find a link or statement announcing the change. (Did I miss an announcement ? Is this permanent ? etc.)
A suggestion. When making changes to a *live* system (and you have thousands of users), always as a courtesy, provide a comment or link explaining the changes to the format to reduce the “shock” impact to your endusers.
It will help them understand that the website is “under construction” or has a “new face lift.”
If you plan to make changes, at least mention it in advance to your end users – you can receive valuable feedback and even find volunteers,(particularly in areas with cultural input, such as formatting, language, dbcs (kanji 漢字), and other helpful criteria to improve the site.
You will find people who love the new or prefer the old and of course, not please everyone, but at least let them know this is type of project is going on; “we are now testing new features to improve and keep our content fresh – stay tuned !”
I had to google this to find out what was going on so next time, put an announcement somewhere on the top, like a “what’s new” or flashing field to for us to click on, to find out what is going on behind the scenes.
Thanks.
PaulC
Tokyo
As an early adopter and teacher of how to use and leverage Linkedin I have found one impediment to Linkedin adoption and use has been the learning curve of Linkedin services.
So when you make major user interface changes like this you complicate and confuse your user base.
While this may free up more space for Linkedin advertising I do not see the value to your users.
No I don’t Like the NEW Design. We are really used to the older vertion, and in fact Newer version is looking more outdated Version. I request LinkedIn Please change My profile to the Older Version.
With Regards
I miss the left column as a navigation tool.
Obviously I was selected at random. My page has drastically changed. I hope this is not permanent. It is convenient for me to handle my groups from the left navigational bar and also to be able to see the messages that I receive at a glance.
In my opinion the New navigational design w/o the left bar is NOT convenient and increases the time I need to navigate through my profile, groups and other links.
I suggest you give users to choose what design they want to have. In fact they should be able to design their own page as you can somewhat do now by moving applications around.
Again, the new proposed design with a navigation bar on the top does not provide a good overview of your page and does NOT simplify navigation – it makes it harder.
I will be upset if I am forced to switch w/o an option to choose.
Ask MORE users – not everyone reads this blog. I accidentally found out about this change.
Not a good move by Linkedin…
It would be great to join the test group for future releases. I think LinkedIn has tremendous potential to grow the network, but some of the legacy features make it less sticky than Facebook.
Keep up the good work.
Did yuou remove network statistics from the new home page? That’s a shame!
@Jakov and others – The Network Statistics feature is still available. Hover your mouse over Contacts at the top of your home page and you will see the ‘Network Statistics’ link made available to get to this information!
For some reason I do not see the line option to add notes to an invite. I got use to the old style I will try to remain flexible for this new format.
@Sunshine- The Invitation section has a text box area titled, ‘Include a personal note’. If you don’t see it contact customer service.
I don’t think I see all the new design yet but I do set the “Refine By” Beta when I do a people search. This doesn’t seem to work properly and things that used to work in the old search are now broken or missing:
1) Old search does not remember my location any more – takes about 3 clicks and I need to retype my post code every time.
2) Missing options (in the old search dialog) e.g. own network, list of groups etc.
I would like the Beta features turned off until they actually work.
Thank you
–
Simon
Why?
Why do organizations (e.g., LinkedIn, Yahoo) insist on fixing something that “ain’t broke”? The UI change is, from this user’s point of view, unnecessary.
I also have heart ache over the removal of the groups section on the left hand side of the page. I constantly move between the various groups I am part of and I hate having to go thru the menu bar to change groups. The old quick link was better. PLEASE BRING IT BACK!
starting linked since a few days I always get an ‘error on page’. Does this still has to do with new design? What I see is not what I would expect.
When will all be implemented and ready?
Anette
Okay – am I the only one with the new design and yet getting so many javascript errors on the navigation that LinkedIn is practically unusable? Seriously – I have error/debugging turned on since we are a software house and a good user experience is all important – but this is beyond a joke! I’m running IE7 ….
@Richard- I know this is only a work around but can you try a different browser and see if the same issues arise. I will forward your comments on but if you could contact our customer service group with any specifics that would be much appreciated. They can take the information and begin to trouble shoot with our engineers.
What, exactly, does the “(warning sing) Report profile photo…” mean !!!
I pressed it by mistake when adding vCards!
There is no explanation to be found and no warning, like “you are about to report porno ” ?
Otherwise the new layout looks okay.
@Larry- I’m sorry for any anxiety this may have caused you. No harm done. It flags the profile photo for a quick review by the customer service group. There is no interruption of service to the other member providing the picture is appropriate.
Hello, although I understand your reasoning. I want my old style back and I can not find a way to achieve it. Can you help?
@Steve – I’m sorry. We can’t support both the old and a new site design. Everyone now should see the new site navigational design. As with anything new it may take some time to adjust. However, our ultimate intention is to provide you with a cleaner, less-cluttered look and more room for information about you and your professional network.
Hi, though i am not in the list of users selected for the new look testing, i got a chance to go through it from some of my friends profiles, it looks pretty good. I would love myself to be in the Beta List. Please include me as well.
Regards,
Rakesh Kumar.
With the old, left navigation bar, the number of unread items in your inbox was displayed. Will that be shown with the new design?
@ Jeff – In the navigational bar next to ‘Inbox’ a number in parenthesis will appear telling you how many unread items you have. If you don’t have any unread messages, the number will not appear.
- The ‘Connections’ area is missing as of this morning even though it is checked in Settings.
- The right hand column still presents a large empty space mid-column. This was previously reported and is unresolved.
- Historical updates (‘Yesterday, ‘Last week’) are not showing as of this morning.
It wasn’t broke. Now you fixed it and it’s broke.
@ Paul, This should be resolved now. If you are still having issues please contact Customer Service by clicking their link at the bottom of your home page. If you search for an answer and don’t find what you are looking for you can click on Contact Customer Service tab to have them troubleshoot your issue further.
A Disagreement: you call it “More room available for page content. Less scrolling.” I call it “Smaller, harder to read font size.” Please go back to the larger font size, or make this an settings option.
I also don’t want Group Updates on my home page, and have indicated such on my settings, yet you insist on cluttering up my home page with all this blather. So much for “A cleaner, less-cluttered look.”
I would welcome a follow up response. Clearly, I like LinkedIn.
@ Randy- I’ve forwarded your comments on to the Product managers for review.
What happened to the list of groups with new activity on the home page? Now I need to click over to My Groups to see which ones have new activity, and it’s not entirely clear to me which ones actually do. How is this an improvement?
@Bill- If you are referring to the Group Updates you may have a separate section on the home page specifically for group updates that they are testing. It will be found below your Network Updates on the home page. If this is not what you are referring to please contact Customer Service by clicking on their link at the bottom of the home page. If you search for an answer and don’t find what you are looking for, click on the Contact Customer Service tab towards the top of the page. They should be able to help you find the information you need.
Could you PLEASE bring back the left hand navigation pane?
I would like to have the ability to arrange the order of the Updates shown on the Home page. I prefer to have the Connection Updates at the top. Right now it is 5th in the order list behind; STATUS UPDATES, PROFILE UPDATES, GROUP UPDATES, APPLICATION UPDATES.
I like seeing the number and type of visits to my profile and can’t find that in the new design. Was it removed?
The previous navigation interface was PERFECT.
In my opinion, the new one is horrible.
It was fine. Most of the information that is supposedly taking up space on the “old” home page consisted of self-serving promotional comments and blogs, as well as LinkedIn’s apparent desire to become Facebook-like. There was no need for change in layout; rather there is a need for change in content.
Hello Test team, although the format opens up the space, I’m a creature of habit and was shocked to see the new format. I thought I had done something wrong or lost my information. I have to admit I miss the left side tools as for my self it is easier to navigate, rather than having drop downs.
If this was approved by others, I will learn to use it. Just will have to get a custom to it.
Thank you for doing your job
Fran
It looks like I’m one of the users included in the Beta test. The new page definitely has a cleaner, less cluttered look about it. However, purely from my personal preference, I’d prefer the older layout anyday. Easy viewing of network stats, quick access to Groups that we’ve subscribed to etc. are features I’m just too used to. And anyway, the empty 5″ margin to the left makes the page look very ugly…are you guys trying to free this space up for ads?
To start with the conclusion: I would suggest making the righthand pane configurable with options that used to be available in the lefthand pane.
I essentially agree with everything Fred said (Dec 10), except that “hate” would be too strong a word for my reaction.
I understand and appreciate the desire to unclutter the UI. However, that is not worth the expense of decreased convenience in navigation. Replacing single-click functionality with a drop-down selection is not an improvement.
Bottom line, each user will have different priorities, different favorites. Personally, the most common reason I sign in is to post a news article to a group. It is therefore important to me to have single-click connection to my favorite groups, as used to be available in the lefthand pane.
A workaround for power users would be to make the righthand pane more configurable. Personally, I would make my group list the first box. Someone else might prefer network statistics, or number of connections.
Cheers.
I also agree strongly that you should notify users when making dramatic changes to the UI. I wasted a half-hour searching for a way to restore my group list before stumbling across this blog post. Either a banner at the top of the home page or a message in the Inbox would do.
Cheers.
Whatever changed for me as of last night I do not like. When I go to the who’s viewed my profile or click on job headings to the right in my module, the hyperlinks no longer show the difference in shade/color if they have or have not been visited already. I checked my windows/internet settings for font, etc. and they do not make a difference. It seems to be with the site design.
Like the new design. Find the right column too wide.
The navigation bar on the left should be re-incorporated in the new design. It gives you a snapshot of your contacts, it is practical and intuitive.
The drop down menus at the top requires the user to spend more time finding what one needs and then clicking on it. The new design has added extra steps to using the features/capabilities of Linkedin.
One of my favorite parts of the old home page was seeing the number of people in my network. At a glance I could see if there were new people who had accepted my invitations, etc. Now that is gone.
Please bring it back.
It is hard for this old dog to learn new tricks! I want my old page back!
Please give us the option to have a vertical or horizontal navigation. I want the old navigation back!
Do you like the new Linkedin graphic layout?
http://polls.linkedin.com/p/71806/znahk
At the above address you can find a LinkedIn poll showing some interesting results (the poll has only been launched yesterday – 28 Dec 2009).
Enjoy
The new layout looks nice. Very clean-straight forward. The only thing I really miss is seeing my ‘mini’ profile on the home page. It’s better to have it there than having to click to see if there are any new connections/recommendations.
I prefer the former design. It was just fine, thank you. Curious, were you getting a lot of comments about the NEED to change? Just because something is the same for a little while doesn’t make it bad. Seems to be a trend to change just for the sake of change. Keep the end in mind. From a user perspective, it gets old having to relearn menus just because a group of people decided it’s “better” – biggest example being MS everything 2007 and Windows 7. Have you honestly met anyone who knew all the functions of MS whatever 2003? Then why move the menus around? Now I have to pay an IT expert to get my trusty laser printer to work with the “improved” OS! Progress?
The one feature I used the most in the old Linkedin is harder to find in the new version and is completely missing from the new iPhone app. That feature is the ability to constantly check to see who my connections are adding as new connections. Can we please have this feature back??? (and yes, I know how to find it on the new version, but I prefer it on the front page.)
Not crazy about the new design – I liked the navigation down the left hand side – I t was easier and I see that now, I cannot view if my connections are connecting with new people? Anyways – just my two cents. Thx
I find the new layout extremely limiting, boring and non-functional… I would like to see network stats, groups, etc just as I did before. Hopefully someone is listening and paying attention, and also measuring which areas of the site are the most popular (hit count) to bring those to the home page.
I can not pinpoint what it is specifically, but I dont like the new user interface as compared to the previous. It just looks and feels different – like something is missing. There is a “sterile” feel to the new UI.
It wasn’t broken to me.. and now you’ve fixed it wrong!! I liked having the tool bar on the left of the screen and also, like another user, i liked to see who my conections were conecting to. Straight forward and all on view, now i have to go looking for it. Sorry Tech guys, I don’t like it at all.
I miss seeing my contacts’ new connections on the home page and on the new iPhone/Touch app. This functionality is used to find people to add to my network as someone I haven’t thought of may pop up. I do realize that it is still in the More Updates section on the website, but it is less convenient to use.
Thanks for your consideration.
While the new design is attractive, it has removed what I found to be the most useful feature of the old design — the recent activity of my contacts. It was that information that motivated me to check LinkedIn several times a day. And now you can’t even go to any other part of LinkedIn to get that information, other than by going through your contact list to see who has new contacts and then open up their contact list. This is so impractical in the new design as to render what was my favorite activity an aggravating waste of time.
So I will be checking LinkedIn less frequently, mainly to see whether this problem gets addressed.
8^(
The only thing I would suggest is that the profile information somehow be moved back to the center of the page. Studies have shown that information displayed not in the middle of the page is less viewed and has less of an impact on the viewer.
Although I do miss the left hand navigation panel, I understand the need for progress, and will in time get used to the new look. I will miss the dashboard look though. Our company actually dropped the tabbed option in our member profiles, and went to more of the dashboard with a left navigation panel. We have gotten a much greater response in usage by our membership.
Fot those who agree that the new design sucks, I made a group “LI new design sucks” (LinkedIn does not allow the use of its name in groupnames).
Become a member and show by numbers that we clearly prefered the old design over the new one (and that we really like and appreciate the concept behind LinkedIn).
#
“Dirk Frey January 5th, 2010
@ Randy- I’ve forwarded your comments on to the Product managers for review.”
Implemented updates noted and approved. WAAY more timely, concise and useful; thank you!
Outstanding. I absolutely noticed the new layout; but it felt instantly cleaner, refreshing and more spacious. I am enjoying it.
I get errors with IE8, Firefox and Chrome. All I see is text now; no pictures or graphics. What gives?
Like Richard and Anette, I’m getting java script errors everywhere too. I’ve used, Firefox, IE8, and Chrome and latest version of Suns JRE and all I see is text on Linkedin.com.
@Jube,
This may be an isolated incident. Please feel free to contact our customer service team and they’ll be able to respond to your specific issue (if it hasn’t been fixed yet).
Thanks!
Mario from LinkedIn
Really not liking the new layout on the “My Connections” Beta!
The older version was easier to read, but the new layout is a bit cluttered. It seems the intention was to let you see all your contacts in the left hand column, and then click on a contact and see their summary in the right hand column.
In theory this is a nice idea. But the contacts list is harder to read, and to me it’s less visually appealing. I realize you used to have to click on each contact and it took you to a new page. Then you’d have to navigate back to the original contacts list, etc. But the summary info on the righthand pane really doesn’t give details I’m looking for, so I end up navigating to the person’s full profile page anyway.
Any chance you could build in an option that lets you select which viewing style you want? Something like a toggle button to hide/view the righthand panel? (and if you hide the right hand panel, you see your contacts list in a similar format to the old style)
To conclude on a positive note: I really like that most of the navigation tools are all together at the top menu bar! And the dropdown menus that show up when you “hover” over a tab are really great.
thanks
Hi,
I would first of all like to thank you for continuously improving the Iphone app. It is very easy to use when it comes to communicating, viewing, and handling smaller and not so complicated changes etc.
I am fully aware that you are working on making the webedition less cluttered and more straigth forward to use. What I am still missing though is the ability to have more control over my page structure and text presentation.
To me its still cluttered and I still spend to much time scrolling to get and overview and to find my way though the information on the different pages.
I would like to be able to make pricise listings, to highlight certain sentances and so on while editing my page. Further more I belive that you would really add value if you reduced the scroll-down by seperating the different features / applications into a top-bare folder menu. eg as they have done on Facebook. Not that Linkedin in anyway should look like or be used as Facebook, but Facebook do succeed when it comes to overview and structure.
Last but not least some additional apps on a continuously scale would be appriciated.
…one final note: I wouldent mind paying for the above mentioned additional features, as a privat person and not as a company so you would have to set the correct price. I really cant see why I would pay for the three different add-ons because its not obvious enough to me what kind of value is added.
Hope that I made presented my ideas clearly.
Anders Jacques Poulsen
Hi,
This is a suggestion to improve the user profiles and detection/search for people with specialized Certificates, courses and qualifications.
To day there are no possibilities in the “profile” editor exept “education” where a person can identifie the “academic” knowledge. But there should be a option for including specialized Certificates, courses and qualifications like e.g. Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) cource certification, DNV courses, Airline Pilot certificates, specialized courses like under water demolition, ISO Auditor etc…
It would not be right to put these Certificates, courses and qualifications in the “education” section since Certificates, courses and qualifications are not considered “education”….
keep up the good work!
Best regards,
Tor-S. Hansen
http://no.linkedin.com/in/digilux
Hi All,
Tor-S. Hansen makes an excellent point on the requirement for adding specialized Certificates, courses and qualifications to one’s profile.
We live in a world that requires on-going education. Having the ability to add these types of education to one’s profile are the type of things that make an individual different, and better than their competition. It is part of the Corporate Brand for an Individual (and the company they work for too).
Great idea Tor-S. Hansen – I hope LinkedIn will implement this capability soon
Best regards,
Tim Bailey
The intended new look is great. However the actual result to date on screen has lost all formatting and is hard to use.
Has anyone from linked-in actually triedto use it?
GSD
The new layout is excellent but it’s little difficult to manage. I think I need some time to use to it. I like the additional space of view but if u adds little space for viewing then its look good
I understand the value of the bigger window for info and find that useful
I would like to resend my withdrawn invitations without an emailadress from receiver! Possible?
Good work, thx
Thanks for the information, i posted your blog to my facebook group in the category `The LinkedIn Blog » Blog Archive A new design for LinkedIn «`. Regards, Katy
I HATE the new discussion group format! I was a manager of the group, but I’ve basically quit going to the group due to the difficulty in tracking new posts, following posts, tagging new topics, etc. The amount of discussion in our group has dropped tremendously as a result of the difficulty in the new format. Yeah, it has a lot more graphics, people’s pictures, larger and colorful fonts…but it doesn’t have the have “list look” that allows for quick manipulation. HATE it!
A new design for LinkedIn look new layout
A new menu design on the top left side of my linkedin page view is malfunctioning. It starts with “sent” and ends with “application directory” and cannot be minimized or closed. When moving the mouse over the upper screen area these menu items cause the page view to extend and contract. It is very irritating. Please advise a solution.
Well,…. not really crazy about the new layout on the “My Connections”
The older version was easier to read.
It’s a nice idea. But the contacts list is more difficult to read. I’ll be nice though and give it another try tomorrow!
Web Design Springfield MO
I like it so much .
I’ve been searching in bing for some ideas and accidentally found this blog.linkedin.com site. Thank you for sharing your talent and wholesome information with us. You are a bright light!
All of my navigation columns no longer load properly. I have to manually put an “s” after the http in the URL for every page I try to view. Even then, many pages do not restore to their proper proportions. This is very frustrating!I don’t want to use LinkedIN any more if this continues!