A version of Facebook for professionals has been long discussed; in fact The Gadget Helpline first shared the news back in November last year. Secret invites were issued to Beta test the new platform which would be simply called Facebook for Work but nothing much has been seen or heard in the past 12 months for those outside of the loop.
While most social network users were busy reposting funny cat videos, sharing photos of their “cheeky” Nandos and reporting Christmas party shenanigans, Facebook was busy working on getting its business front ready for launch and it’s now been said that Facebook for Work will go live for all in the next few months and like the main version of Facebook will be a free to use service. It’s also possible a separate account and log-in will be required to avoid any accidental sign-ins and inappropriate posting.
Like LinkedIn, the intention of Facebook for Work is to allow businesses and professionals to connect and interact more seriously, keeping the personal and playful side away from the prying eyes of work colleagues and contacts. Despite having an impressive record on Candy Crush this might not be exactly what potential employers are looking for, so games will not be part of the Facebook for Work structure and we would imagine a number of other distracting features will also be absent.
However, features such as photo and file sharing, likes and a newsfeed will be incorporated and it’s been officially stated that 95% of what we’ll find in Facebook for Work will be based on the current Facebook format with a handful of business centred extras developed specifically for it too.
After months of testing and development we’re eager to see Facebook for Work in action. It will certainly offer a more versatile alternative to the likes of LinkedIn and will also be based on a social network that’s familiar and established and which is used daily by half the world’s population.