LinkedIn updates app in bid to become your go-to source for business news

Having unveiled a number of upcoming changes to its platform last month, the social network is pushing ahead with its emphasis on news. Today’s update brings with it three new features, including a read-it-later function that should cause concern for bookmarking apps such as Pocket.

In terms of personalization, the LinkedIn app now allows you to fine-tune your interests (similar to the steps you’d take when setting up a news app, such as Apple News, or Google News). You can customize your feed by picking the type of topics you’d like to see more of, the leaders you want to follow, and the publications you’d like to read.

Additionally, you can now mute connections you don’t find interesting (or that simply share too much) by hiding or unfollowing them. All of these options can be accessed by tapping the three dots above a LinkedIn post.

The main attraction, for news junkies, is the “save for later” feature. When you update the LinkedIn app, you’ll notice a new bookmark icon on the bottom right of every article — all you have to do is tap it to save that post to read later. The “highly requested” function allows LinkedIn’s busy users to conveniently access lengthier stories when they have the free time to read them. Everything you bookmark will be stored in the “Me” tab under saved articles.

LinkedIn has also updated its search tab to allow you to discover content related to your interests. You can now explore articles based on topics — such as management tips or the latest news on artificial intelligence — and hashtags. Like the aforementioned mute feature, the expanded search option brings the app closer to its news-centric social media rival, Twitter, which is ablaze with finance chatter on most days. However, LinkedIn has the added advantage of its stable of influencers (from business leaders such as Richard Branson to heads of state such as Indian PM Narendra Modi) who provide original content, both via text and video posts.

“Delivering smart content directly to your mobile phone that’s ready to read when you are is just one of the ways LinkedIn can help you be your best professional self — all you need to do is tap,” writes Jeff Birkeland, LinkedIn’s director of product.