LinkedIn announced today, that it is revamping its mobile app in an effort to make it easier for users to get information out of it. LinkedIn subscribers spend only 17% of their time using the service, with the mobile app. Compare that to Facebook users, who employ the social media site’s mobile app for 76% of their interactions with the messaging application. With LinkedIn users connected via a PC 63% of the time, the company feels that it now needs to allow subscribers to be mobile while using it.

Comparing the large number of Facebook users who deploy the mobile app to the smaller number of app-using LinkedIn subscribers, Evercore ISI analyst Ken Sena notes that Facebook is making much more money with its predominantly mobile users, since ad blockers are usually found on desktop computers. The redesign of the LinkedIn mobile app is called Project Voyager, and was introduced at a company event by CEO Jeff Weiner.

LinkedIn’s mobile app now includes five new icons at the bottom of the screen, that help divide up information into easier to read groups. And with the use of stickers and emojis, LinkedIn is making messaging on its app more friendly and less buttoned up. The result is that members are chatting with other members for longer periods of time.

LinkedIn allows users to network on a virtual basis, allowing subscribers to find jobs, generate business, and pick the brains of movers and shakers.  The app also allows members to find people they know in certain fields.

source: WSJ