LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) has a user base of three million in China though the company is not present in the country. It’s a huge accomplishment considering the site’s desktop version is entirely in English, but the mobile app supports the Chinese language, according to Forbes.
LinkedIn acquiring insights in the Chinese market
Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn, revealed the numbers in an interview with Chinese media Tencent Tech. Hoffman added that the company is looking forward to having a better understanding of the Chinese market, which holds a lot of potential for LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD).
Hoffman also recognizes the popularity of Android in China, and said that to understand the working of this OS in the region, one will have to use Android-based smartphones. Hoffman keeps a Hongmi phone, which is a low cost phone from Xiaomi, and was presented to Hoffman by Xiaomi founder Lei Jun when he visited the Silicon Valley.
Such developments indicate that LinkedIn is gaining maximum insight of the Chinese market before making any official move into the country. The time for LinkedIn to officially land in China must be just right as it has gained a wide user base without much effort.
LinkedIn expanding in India as well
In another huge Asian market, India, LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) is aiming to get all professionals and businesses online by expanding to the newer platforms and devices to close the gap between the professionals of different economic echelons, according to Nishant Rao, country manager, LinkedIn India.
To achieve this goal, the company has entered into an agreement with the Nokia Asha series. Rao said that the Nokia Asha is a great medium to bridge affordability and a rich, touch-based experience. “So, we are excited to take the LinkedIn app to Nokia Asha Full Touch and 501 series,” said Rao.
This partnership conveys that the professional networking site is keen to mark its presence on the mobile platform in India. Rao noted that mobile is an integral part of the strategy, and the most important aspect is that mobile experience should differ from customary internet experience, so LinkedIn is focusing on redesigning and simplifying user experience.
LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) has recently unveiled the refurbished Pulse social newsreader, and announced that the news reading app has been fully integrated across the pulse apps and with LinkedIn.com. Pulse has a partnership with various content providers that allow the site to publish the content from them.
