LinkedIn Opens Up API To Developers

Leading social networking site LinkedIn has announced the release of its Application Programming Interface (API) and the launch of its ‘LinkedIn Platform’ which will allow developers to embed LinkedIn data into their websites and online applications.

The announcement comes close on the heels of LinkedIn’s recent tie-ups with Microsoft, BlackBerry and IBM through which LinkedIn will look to integrate with Lotus Notes and MS Outlook.

Adam Nash, VP of search and platform at LinkedIn mentioned that developers can register themselves on developer.linkedin.com and receive a one-of-a-kind code which will enable them to get access to discussion board, provisioning codes and sample codes.

Nash added that the users of LinkedIn are excited about the idea of using LinkedIn anywhere and everywhere. Among the developers who had tested the platform were the developers of the popular Twitter utility TweetDeck who have promised that there will be support for the LinkedIn platform in their next update.

LinkedIn, which ranks as the most popular professional and business networking platform, has been aggressively trying to increase it market share.

It has already entered a cross platform login and update arrangement with Twitter and it is also all set rollout a sophisticated app for the Blackberry range of smartphones.