OMG! LinkedIn Invite No Longer Has "Groups" Option
Gene Roessier [LION]
Quantitative Trading System Designer, Developer of Trading System Testing Software at Trade Probability Research, Trader
LINKEDIN INVITES NO LONGER CONTAINS THE "GROUPS" OPTION
Yes, you read that right! - When you want to send out a LinkedIn Invite, you are asked "How do you know [this person]". When sending the Invite -- if you have "Groups" in common with the other LinkedIn user -- your list of Options normally looked like this:
Notice the "Groups" option - it lets you select one of the groups you have in common.
THIS "GROUPS" OPTION IS NOW GONE!!!!
Now when you send out an invite - even if you have Groups in common with the other user -- your options read only as follows:
- Colleague
- Classmate
- We've done business together
- Friend
- Other
- I don't know [UserFirstName]
NO GROUPS!!!
WHERE DOES NETWORKING HAPPEN? IN GROUPS - PERIOD!
Networking happens "Offline" (AKA in real life) mainly in groups. You find a group, organization, charity, etc... that you are interested in, participate in some activities - and you naturally begin to connect with others with similar interests. That's how networking happens. It happens that way on LinkedIn also - or at least - It used to!!!
Now if you wish to reach out to someone from within a group - you no longer have the option to send them an invite - unless you want to use "Friend" - and that's not appropriate if you are trying to "Introduce Yourself".
LINKEDIN HAS MADE A BIG MISTAKE!
If this is a policy change, LinkedIn has made a very big mistake. They have eliminated the only real way LinkedIn Users have of Introducing Themselves to others with similar interests. I'm sure by now, LinkedIn has noticed a significant decrease in the amount of Invites sent by users. Pretty soon, no one will be able to meet anyone new on Linkedin. Umm - then what's the point of LinkedIn?.
MAKE SOME NOISE!!!
If you're like me, and want this fixed - you have to make some NOISE!!!
First, this only happened 2 days ago (October 1st if you're reading this later) and I haven't seen much about it anywhere.
By doing the following things you can help get this fixed
1) Like, Share and Comment on this post - it will help to spread the word
2) There's a discussion started a couple of days ago in the Linkedin Help Center - voice your concerns there. >>> http://community.linkedin.com/questions/245298/invitations-to-group-members-option-missing.html <<< or you can use this bit.ly link to get you there >>> http://bit.ly/ligroupissue <<<
Let's get this fixed now!!!
BTW - If you're interested, you can invite me anyway you please. :)
Podcaster, CRE Broker/Owner, CCIM Instructor, Syndicator and Developer
8yI didn't read through all the comments, but I wouldn't be surprised if LinkedIn is taking a page from the FB playbook when they took away organic reach to force people to paid ads. I bet LinkedIn is taking this away so we are forced to go premium.
★ CEO, The Empowered Business ★ See Why CEOs Use This Leadership & Culture Game-Changer To Grow Their Companies ★
9yI complained numerous times to Linkedin when my group option fell off the invitation form in Sept. 2014. I got the same response ... "they know about the bug and are working on it." There are other ways of getting around it :)).
Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley
9yI dont believe it is a bug, I think its a policy question and that people did not feel that being part of a group was enough to warrent a connection or that you know me. I use friend and explain the connection just like Jeff Young, ★ LinkedIn Guru ★ taught me to do. I do believe in Christmas though. Merry Christmas!
Sales and Marketing Executive driving sales and new ideas across retail categories
9yI emailed them this morning about the bug and got this answer that bugs me "Thanks for your reply and for asking about the status of this issue. We understand that awaiting a fix can be frustrating and we're sorry for the experience you've endured. Unfortunately, at this point there's still no estimate on how long it may take. Please be assured that we have not lost sight of this issue and you'll be notified once a resolution has been put in place."
As of today, 12/22/14, this option continues to be unavailable. I am starting to wonder if it really is a "bug" in the system.