I’m a regular user of LinkedIn, and usually connect with those that reach out but lately, I’ve noticed an interesting trend, and I’m not sure what to make of it.
During the month of December, I’ve received invitations to connect from some very attractive women. Normally, I would consider this a good thing, but the ratio of young, attractive women as compared to everyone else is just too high, and it’s set off a red flag. For reference, I’ve received a total of 20 invitations to connect in December, and 15 were of the “interesting” type of invitations.
I’d like to think I’m wrong, and that these individuals really do want to connect. It’s just that there’s too much in common, and my Spidey-senses are on high alert.
First, they all work for very large companies (such as Bank of America, British Airways, Oracle, etc.) It isn’t that some or most work for large companies… all of them do.
Secondly, well… take a look. See if you think they have anything in common.
They are all attractive (at least I think so.)
So, is it LinkedIn spam and if so, what’s the end goal?
Really interested to see if others are seeing this as well.
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I haven’t received anything, but my number of connections is pretty limited. They are obviously going after the uber popular people such as yourself.
the pictures look a bit too professional, could be easily downloaded from the web (for example from dating site ads)
Yes, much as the male ego likes to imagine oneself as as babe-magnet, seeing so many gorgeous women vying for your attention is sure to arouse suspicions and even set off the alarm bells of even the most dreamy bloke.
Very interesting. Dan, we’d be happy to investigate this. Please contact me at LinkedIn so we can gather some additional information from you.
Hi Dan,
Sure smells spammy, though I wish not. I considered Linkedin a safer haven than most other networking sites.
I wonder if you reported this to the support n warned others through Q&A. I’d be interesting to know how they follow this up.
Shri
I get this kind of stuff on Bebo and it’s all for sites like litteblackbook. I suspect that there’s more than one campany doing this kind of acquisition and it’s straight up nasty – social profiles and msn chats.
A dead give away is usually when they add folks, check their profile and if they only know a dozen Andrews, DAns and nothing else you’ve hit paydirt.
Thew Bebo one’s are classic, especially the profiles.