LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional networking platform owned by Microsoft, is venturing into uncharted territory: gaming. While traditionally known for career development and recruitment, LinkedIn is exploring puzzle-based games like “Queens,” “Inference,” and “Crossclimb” to increase user engagement and foster deeper connections within its vast professional network.
This move comes as LinkedIn seeks to capitalize on the massive popularity of casual puzzle games like Wordle.
“We’re experimenting with adding puzzle-based games to the LinkedIn experience to make it more fun, strengthen relationships, and potentially spark new conversations,” the spokesperson stated .
While a launch date remains undisclosed, LinkedIn’s experiment leverages a well-established strategy. Many non-gaming platforms, from newspapers to social media giants, have successfully utilized casual games to boost user engagement. The New York Times’ acquisition of the viral hit Wordle in 2022 exemplifies this trend.
However, the path to success in the social gaming space is not always clear. Facebook, once a major player in social gaming, shut down its standalone gaming app in 2022 due to declining user numbers.
This move by LinkedIn reflects a broader strategy of adapting popular online tools to fit the professional networking landscape. Previous initiatives include online education platforms, video tools, and content creation features aimed at attracting influencers and thought leaders.
