LinkedIn is officially launching its third web-based premium service, LinkedIn Groups - a directory system for companies, conferences and alumni associations - reports MediaPost. The new service, which has been in beta since March 2004 and has 800 members, allows groups to set up directories which LinkedIn members can join. The basic LinkedIn Groups functions are free, but enhanced functions are available for a fee.
Several conferences have agreed to use LinkedIn Groups, including CNET and Esther Dyson's PC Forum, Inman's Real Estate Connect, the Kelsey Group's Drilling Down on Local and the Delphi Group's Business Process eXcellence.
In April, LinkedIn announced a business-to-business local search offering to connect its network of 2.4 million professionals and business owners with service providers such as lawyers and accountants.
With the introduction of the premium services and a potential advertising upgrade to the site, the company hopes to be profitable by the first quarter of 2006, LinkedIn Marketing VP and cofounder Konstantin Guericke said.
