Happy Cinco de LinkedIn!
Cinco de Mayo holds a special place in our hearts here at LinkedIn. In addition to being an excuse to down margaritas and tacos, it marks the fifth anniversary of the day we launched LinkedIn: May 5, 2003. The web was a different place back then; Friendster was the hottest site around, terms like "Web 2.0" and "AJAX" hadn't yet been coined, web pages were still in black and white... Okay, maybe it wasn't that long ago.
As both a company and a tool, LinkedIn has changed dramatically. Here's a quick "then and now" comparison of LinkedIn '03 and LinkedIn '08:
| May 2003 | May 2008 | |
|---|---|---|
| Employees | 10 | 278 |
| Users | 4,800 | 22,000,000+ |
| Introductions Sent | 280 | 7,000,000+ |
| Recommendations Made | 0 | 4,500,000+ |
| Questions Answered | 0 | 1,000,000+ |
| Four Square Games Played | 0 | 6,394 |
Note that many of the features present in LinkedIn today -- including Recommendations, InMails, Groups Answers, and Jobs -- hadn't been built in May 2003. (But we were already thinking about most of them!)
I've also put together a small gallery of screenshots showing how LinkedIn has evolved through the years. What will LinkedIn look like 5 years from now? 10 years from now? Only time will tell...
LinkedIn through the years
And finally -- as a bonus to anybody who read this far -- here's an easter egg from the old days. Probably the last page I finished before the launch was our Founders page. It took forever to get everyone's bio together so, in the meantime, I wrote a few on my own. We didn't leave it this way for long, but here's a screenshot for posterity.
LinkedIn Founders Page, May 2003
Ryan Leary May 5, 2008
Thanks for the memory! LinkedIn is a great source and a great tool! Feel free to connect with me @
www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary
Evan May 5, 2008
Happy Birthday LinkedIn!!!
Here's to another five great years...and beyond!
Evan
Avi François Polak May 5, 2008
Hey Chris (and the rest of the LinkedIn Team),
Congrats on making it to number 5!
I have been a "card-carrying" member since January 2004 (6 month delay) and can only say that "it keeps getting better".
Keep up the good work!
Avi François Polak
VP Business Development
I-Com Mobile
Anurag Saxena May 5, 2008
Heartiest Congrats! Three...err... Five Cheers for everyone in the LinkedIn team :) Keep Rocking!
melissa May 5, 2008
When I first started using LinkedIn I had to walk 10 miles in the snow uphill both ways just to add a new job to my profile. ;)
Happy birthday!
Doc Farmer May 5, 2008
Congrats and Mazel Tov to LinkedIn! My growth in the past 18 months here has been almost as meteroric as LinkedIn's growth in the past 5 years. I've been very pleased with the support that your staff has provided, and this site has helped advance my career and my research in ways I never thought possible. Many thanks!
Steve Harvey May 5, 2008
Thanks for sharing the LinkedIn 5 year birthday party with all of us! It really has evolved wonderfully during the past 5 years. Keep up the quality focus, as this is the premier professional virtual community. Thanks again for all you do!
Joe Johnson May 5, 2008
I have only been with you for three months. LinkedIN is on my short list of Web tools for business.
Happy birthday and many more to come.
Joe Johnson
Julian Drault May 5, 2008
Congratulations for your work !
Filipa May 5, 2008
Happy Birthday LinkedIn Team!!
I know how hard it is to maintain, develop and make grow a website...
The ROI to hard work shows not only in statistics, but also in the way people show you how they feel about our work.
So keep making our professional lives better and more international!!...
jeff May 5, 2008
How can I find out when I first posted my profile?
Gerald Inman May 5, 2008
This day in history: "LinkedIn" :-)
Happy Cinco de LinkedIn! Interesting date in history for LinkedIn. There were several other notable events that have taken place on May 5th. Here are a few:
Planets in the Solar System align: May 5, 2000
Wolfenstein 3D is released, the first-ever first-person shooter computer game: May 5th, 1992
Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds hits his 3000th major league hit: May 05, 1978
Mercury program: Mercury 3 & Alan Shepard becomes the first American to travel into space, making a sub-orbital flight of 15 minutes: May 05, 1961
The Council of Europe is formed: May 05, 1949
Coco Chanel introduces Chanel No. 5 perfume: May 05, 1923
The 1912 Summer Olympics open in Stockholm, Sweden: May 05, 1912
Russia and Prussia sign the Treaty of St. Petersburg: May 05, 1762
Kublai Khan becomes ruler of the Mongol Empire: May 05, 1260
Source: http://www.spiritus-temporis.com/05-may/on-this-day.html
Take care people. :-)
Chris Saccheri May 5, 2008
@jeff: Click on "Account & Settings" at the top of any LinkedIn page. On that page, in the upper-right corner in grey text, you should see "User since: " and the date you joined LinkedIn.
Raghav May 5, 2008
Linkedin Rocks ! Happy Birthday !!
Frank Feather May 5, 2008
Congratulations LinkedIn.
I predict a great future, provided you are able to facilitate much easier ability to network.
I realize that perhaps was not the initial intent, but it is the future of all these media platforms.
They must provide for full multimedia, fully converged Profiles and 1:1 interaction. The existing platform and group system will not meet these demands. The membership base needs to be segmented into niches in a far more effective way.
Not to be critical. Just added some constructive thoughts for the next 5 years!
Again, congratulations!
Frank Feather -- Futurist
Carl Grover May 5, 2008
I LOVE LinkedIn. It's helped me in business in countless ways. Keep up the good work, and I'll keep promoting LinkedIn as a nearly necessary business tool.
Anyone may feel free to connect with me.
Carl.grover@cdicorp.com
jorge teixeira May 5, 2008
Happy Cinco LinkedIn, and dez (10) and quinze (15), and more
Steve Pickering May 5, 2008
Happy Birthday!
A fantastic business tool that has brought me many good contacts. Here's to the next 5!
Steve
Ash Sharma May 5, 2008
Hello Linked In Team,
Congratulations!
You are now a leader in Corporate relationship space. I commend and congratulate all of you for continuously improving the site to make it more effective.
One Suggestion;
Can you improve your Groups area, as we do not have any place where Group members can post their messages or ask questions within the group space and originator can post group related activities, events, pictures etc.
This would greatly help!
Keep up the good work!
Ash
Kim May 5, 2008
I am sooo addicted to this site. It is a great success... Happy Cinco Birthday! and Wishes for many more.
Aventino Teixeira May 5, 2008
Five years??
Unbelievable!! Linkedin becomes part of my life.
Congratulations! Happy 5 years! See you for the next 50.
Francois May 5, 2008
5 years old, still the age of innocence!
May the next 5 years be a similar success story!
Alfio Lo Castro May 5, 2008
I love LinkedIn. A great business tool that helped me in business in countless ways.
Happy Birthday LinkedIn!!!
Anyone may feel free to connect with me.
alfio.locastro@gmail.com
Robin deLisser May 5, 2008
YOU GUYS ROCK! Seriously, not only was it brilliant to capitalize on the whole 6 degrees of separation concept - but you've built an incredibly useful tool! MUCHO GRACIAS & Feliz Cumpleaños! ;-)
Ed Callahan May 5, 2008
Chris:
Can you fill in the blanks with the number of subscribers on LinkedIn on Cinco de Mayo 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007?
I teach LinkedIn as a part of my Sales Advisor consulting practice.
I am a huge fan and a daily user.
Ed Callahan
www.linkedin.com/in/edcallahansprofile
Katherine May 5, 2008
Happy 5th Birthday LinkedIN! All the best and continued success!!
Dennis de Graaf May 5, 2008
'Van harte gefeliciteerd' we say in the Netherlands to celebrate someones bithday. Linked In has changed my life and the way I network. But not only me but also all these people wich I can stay into contact with to make this an even better world. Thanks Linked In for giving us this tool. Everybody should be on Linked In
Luis Gondelles May 5, 2008
5 years already??? wow!
Congratulations and continue with the good work!
Luis
Asaf Maruf May 5, 2008
I have been a LinkedIn member for a while now but was dormant for a few years. I now use it on a daily basis and is a terrific resource. Congratulations to the LinkedIn team for their hardwork and creativity. Continue with the great ideas and good work making LinkedIn the best professional network site.
Sergei May 5, 2008
Congrats!
Here is a b-day e-card for you:
http://www.theoworlds.com/birthday/index.php?CardID=5347
Hope you like it :-) - I spent some time icing your logo on the cake.
Rochelle May 5, 2008
WoW ! 5years old already?
Congratulations!!!!
Happy Birthday :D
Wish you many many many more!!!!!
.:addicted to LinkedIn:.
Vincent Wright May 5, 2008
Congratulations on your FIFTH birthday, Linkedin!
As a member who's been with you for more than 80% of your existence, I can personally attest to what an interesting and intriguing ride you've been on!
Best wishes over the next 5 years!
Thanks!
Vincent Wright
Cosmin Vilcu May 5, 2008
Ho ho ho Merry chris... hold on, that's not the one!
Happy birthday and many many more!!!
Bram Weerts May 5, 2008
Happy Birthday and congratulations folks!
Ruben Rabines May 5, 2008
Happy 5th year!
Wish you the best guys, you are doing a GREAT job!!!
Cy Witherspoon May 5, 2008
WOW, It seems like only yesterday I was creating my profile for the first time. I remember personalizing my first signature, and Linked In Profile, for the first time. NOW I remember by heart my Linked In Profile, and love it when people ask me,"What is it about?"
Here in Mexico they say "Feliz Cumpleaños" on your Birthday. So have a very happy one Linked In. Don´t have too many Margaritas! Thanks for the profile, and the memories. I look forward to Linking with many, many, more of you, and posting on many more Anniversaries. Provecho!
Tom Humbarger May 5, 2008
Thanks LinkedIn - I can't imagine life without you!
Carol Bailey May 5, 2008
Happy Cinco de LinkedIn!! I love this site and all of its potential
Markus Krebsz May 5, 2008
Happy Birthday, Linkedin and please keep up the good work!
I owe you quite a bit, in fact my last three consulting assignments came all via Linkedin. And it's one of the few sites which I am visiting at least once a day.
Best wishes and Many thanks for being,
Markus
Lukasz Pociask May 5, 2008
Happy Birthday, congratulations good work!
Nelson Bruton May 5, 2008
Hooray LinkedIn.
Congratulations.
Filip Topalski May 5, 2008
Happy birthday LinkedIn.com!
Ricardo Dorado May 5, 2008
HAPPY FIFTH BIRTHDAY, LINKEDIN!!! YOU ARE GREAT!!!
H. Andrea Cañón May 5, 2008
This is a great tool and it is just wonderful to see it evolve. Congratulations for the fist 5 years and the many more to come.
Aris Soldatos May 5, 2008
Great job, great results, great ideas to come
Ange Embuldeniya May 5, 2008
Many happy returns of the year LinkedIn, and more to come! ;-)
LinkedIn has been awesome and gets better by the nano-second :) Happy Birthday and a big clap on the back to the crew at LinkedIn who made this such a great tool out there! And Happy Birthday to all those LinkedIn users for their phenomenal contribution for making LinkedIn what it is today.
Himasree Manapragada May 5, 2008
Linkedin is a great tool for every professional. Thanks for making it such an indespensable & effective tool.
Happy Birthday Linkedin!!!!
Pablo Andrés Musso May 5, 2008
To the LinkedIn Team:
Sorry for this short story, but I think is a good moment to share it with you...
Almost four years ago, I was working really hard with no time for "surfing" the web.
A friend of mine invited me to join LinkedIn at this moment, but without time to explore the site a little bit, I rejected his offer three times.
I thought (with some prejudices) that LikedIn was a kind of site for dates, mail chains, musical e-cards...
This year, I was looking for an old friend of mine and I found him at LinkedIn. So I decided to pay attention to this all-new-site for me.
Now, I consider it as a very powerful tool for job seekers, and a special reference for looking for friends and contacts.
I can only tell you... GREAT JOB and CONGRATULATIONS for the first 5 years and the many more years to come!!!
Pablo
You can reach me @ www.linkedin.com/in/pablomusso
Dev Basu May 5, 2008
Happy Birthday Linkedin! Your site has become an tool that I simply cannot live without. I enjoy networking with other professionals, and credit that the last two job opportunities I've received were through Linkedin.
Debbie Ward May 5, 2008
LinkedIn is awesome! Happy 5th. I look forward to new features to come.
Brenda Ginsberg May 5, 2008
Congratulations on achieving such a dynamic and transformatory business tool! Happy Birthday, and Congrats to the team for making the linkedin vision a huge success!
I think the opportunity is limitless for what can be acieved when we synergize business & social goals. Thanks linkedin for making this more feasible than ever before. I will definitly be spending more time on linkedin this year, and welcome connecting with new great people leading today's companies & npo's.
Cheers, Brenda
Jenna Papakalos May 5, 2008
Thank you for creating LinkedIn! It has become an invaluable tool as part of my social networking.
I have so many good LinkedIn stories I tell everyone I meet. Here's to many more years!
Best always,
Jenna
Chris Yeo May 5, 2008
Happy Birthday to Linked ! ! !
Cheers,
Chris.
Arun May 5, 2008
Many Many Happy Returns to Team Linkedin and to all Linkedin members around the globe.
As a Birthday gift...
How about launching a "Thanks2Linkedin" window on the homepage?
As a birthday gift.
LI is 5 now.
1000nds are benefiting.
Millions will soon.
Why not anticipate this need at 22,000,000+ milestone on this birthday?
Let us all who wish to...allow to Linkedin to be thanked for whatever we gain... through this wonderful effort?
Any ways heres to the first billion mark in next 05 years if not sooner.
Happy Birthday Linkedin.
Arun
www.linkedin.com/in/arunslinks
Maximiliano De Muro May 5, 2008
5 years? Wow... quite incredible how time is going up so fast... cheers!
anna saccheri May 5, 2008
Happy Birthday, and Congrats, LinkedIn! I remember the 2003 launch fondly, as I was the first non-employee to receive an invitation to connect! (Thanks, Chris!) :D
Luis Cuenca May 5, 2008
!Feliz Aniversario LINKEDIN!
pubudu May 5, 2008
This is grate, connecting to professional in same domain, grate place to exchange knowledge and to find better opportunities.
Wish Happy Birth day to "Linkedin" !!
pubudu
Bogdan A May 5, 2008
Well done, keep up the good work !
subhashree May 6, 2008
HI Linkedin.Team..,
Heartiest congratulation for this magnificent achievement of yours as of now,expect the same with little more dedication to excel more than at present ,in making our life more simpler and becoming the No.1.
Cheers for ur sucess.Keep going.
Francesco May 6, 2008
Happy Birthday!
Keep up the wonderful job!
Gary Pine May 6, 2008
Happy Birthday.
Member since March 12th, 2004 and still an avid user.
Pradyumna May 6, 2008
Here's wishing LinkedIn Happy Birthday!
LinkedIn is addictive and I am glad it is a professional site too!
All the very best for the future!
Pradyumna
Missa Goehring May 7, 2008
Congratulations on all of your successes over the years!
Sarang May 15, 2008
Congratulation for defining business networking!!!! It's a revolutionary concept and well developed over the years - specially for sales and recruitment industry..... I'm sure it will play it's part in web 3.0 as well
Sarang