LinkedIn has quietly launched a dynamic CPM Text Advertising platform called LinkedIn DirectAds. The unique thing about the launch is this that they have not announced it altogether but robbwebb2k managed to get a scoop on this info.
Advertisers will now be able to dynamically target ads by age, gender, geography, educational institution, industry, and seniority on LinkedIn. The minimum amount that enables you to start serving your ads is $25, however the minimum number of impressions depend upon the targeted audience, with some demographics fetching more than others. The rate also varies with the options you add or remove from your targeting options, thus the more targeted the ad the more you will have to pay. Another compulsion for the advertisers is this that they should have a profile on LinkedIn and their ad will include a link to their profile to have maximum transparency.
Facebook is already experimenting with advertisement with their Social Ads Platform. With LinkedIn jumping in with its own ad platform it seems quiet obvious now that other social networks will also try to wrestle their arms with an advertising platform instead of relying on deals with Google and Microsoft.
In addition to the Ad Network, LinkedIn has also silently launched a Research Network last week (See product summary PDF). It seems that LinkedIn subscribes to the school of thought that has the saying "You build it, and they will come". The network although an attempt at trying to create an expert network is currently nothing more than an InMail, that will allow investors to send cold mails to experts and specialists. Prior to this LinkedIn Business Plus subscribers had the option to send InMails but their option was limited to 10 InMails per month. Advertisers were also able to send InMails at a cost of $1-$5 per recipient.
LinkedIn is slowly but surely gearing up for their pay day, which they intend to earn in the form of an IPO.
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