LinkedIn: This is how we do it

In a previous post I mention Dion Hinchcliffe’s post regarding Facebook and its strategy to open up its API to 3rd party application developers. Now I come across a great post on NY Times’ blog, Bits, with highlights of an interview with the CEO of LinkedIn, Dan Nye.

It highlights that while LinkedIn will be looking to incorporate external developers into their site, the focus is about the right applications for their audience:

“We have no interest in doing it like Facebook with an open A.P.I. letting people do whatever they want,” Mr. Nye said. “We’re not going to have people sending electronic hamburgers to each other.”

It goes on to describe their strategy:

So LinkedIn will have to approve any company that wants to tap into its system. Mr. Nye says he is looking for two kinds of applications. First, there are deals that enable LinkedIn members to tap into their connections in other places, for example, while using applications like Salesforce.com. Second, some applications will be allowed to add features to LinkedIn’s own site. Mr. Nye offered, as an example, a module connected to a trade show or conference that integrated travel planning and other features.

After reading this of course we all have to wonder, who really has the best strategy for business users, Facebook or LinkedIn? Clearly, LinkedIn is focused exclusively on the business user, but will this more controlled access provide the type of applications that its users want? More importantly, will it happen soon enough?

It’s definitely too early to see who will be the ultimately winner of the hearts and minds of business users, but as an avid user of both, I’ll certainly be watching closely. What are your thoughts on each of these strategies, and who do think will ultimately appeal to business users?