For some reason, LinkedIn is moving into live video territory

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LinkedIn really wants to be in with the cool kids, not just the kids that are searching for a new job after whatever accident of free-market economics left them redundant. To that end, it’s introducing LinkedIn Live, a livestreaming service, presumably to showcase mini TED talks and annoying Q&A sessions with startups and VCs. It’s initially coming as an invite-only beta in the U.S, with roll-out to the 600 million users of the platform coming at a later date.

Powering all of this? Microsoft’s Azure Media Services. Could LinkedIn become the Twitch for marketing professionals? Who am I kidding, Twitch is already the Twitch for marketing professionals. Still, this might be a powerful draw to the not-really-social media site. Now, your requests to connect could also include requests to watch my infomercials. Oh, the joys.

Image: TechCrunch

LinkedIn is partnering with several third-party developers of live streaming services such as Wirecast, Switcher Studio, Socialive, and Brandlive, which will work with creators so the videos posted to LinkedIn Live will be more polished and professional looking than the usual “I did this on my iPhone” type of streams.

Live video has been the most-requested feature since the ability to add short video clips was introduced to LinkedIn 17 months ago. According to Pete Davies, the director of product management at LinkedIn, “Video is the fastest growing format on our platform right now, and the one most likely to get people talking.” While he wouldn’t give TechCrunch any concrete numbers, he said “millions” of LinkedIn members have used the video feature.

Yeah, but Pete, “millions” of LinkedIn members have also been spammed, phished or otherwise abused on your platform. I don’t know if this new feature will be the panacea that turns LinkedIn into a social network instead of an advanced job board, but it’ll be fun to watch.

What do you think? Will you use the feature? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.