From résumés to romance: LinkedIn’s identity crisis 💼

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Once a haven for polished résumés and leadership insights, LinkedIn is starting to feel more like a personal social feed. Wedding photos, engagement announcements, vacation snapshots, and emotional testimonials are now as common as job updates and industry news. In Yaoundé and beyond, many users are starting to question what LinkedIn has become.

A platform in transition 🔄

Originally built as a space for recruiters, job seekers, and business professionals, LinkedIn used to focus on leadership, strategy, digital transformation, and career development.

But these days, posts about company milestones or product launches are getting buried under honeymoon reels and birthday selfies. For some users, that shift feels like a betrayal of the platform’s purpose.

A growing sense of fatigue 😮‍💨

Pushback has been growing online. Workers, recruiters, and job hunters alike are voicing their frustration.

“I log on in the morning to find motivation, and all I see are couple selfies and TikTok-style videos. Honestly, it feels just like Facebook now. We left that kind of content on other platforms — why bring it here?” says Boris, a financial analyst.

For others, the tone shift is disorienting. Personal photos are often accompanied by lengthy, emotional captions disguised as inspirational content.

“People use ‘personal branding’ as an excuse for anything now. But when I post about my thesis, no one reacts. If I post my engagement photo, I get 2,000 likes. It makes no sense,” says Aline, a PhD student.

Authenticity or oversharing? 🧭

Some see the trend as a sign that professionals are hungry for authenticity. Sharing failures, struggles, and glimpses of life outside the office could foster more genuine connections.

But others argue it’s a slippery slope — one that risks turning a professional space into just another social feed.

“LinkedIn isn’t WhatsApp or Instagram. There are plenty of places to post couple photos. Here, we’re trying to learn and grow — not follow people’s private lives,” says Marc, an HR manager.

Calls to get back to basics 📚

As the platform’s content becomes more personal and less professional, some users are sounding the alarm. They’re calling for a return to high-value posts: job opportunities, career tips, industry insights, and meaningful discussions.

“I want the old LinkedIn back — the one that educated and informed us. If I want to look at wedding dresses, I know where to go. Every platform has its purpose. We need to stop mixing them up,” writes Nadège, an engineer.

Even tech professionals are weighing in, urging for either smarter content moderation or a community-driven code of conduct to preserve the platform’s original mission.

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Between reach and responsibility 🎯

The shift also raises a question about visibility. On LinkedIn, like every other platform, emotion equals engagement. Personal stories get more clicks and reactions, which can tempt users to overshare — especially if they feel underappreciated professionally.

“Maybe people are posting their private lives because they don’t have anything else to showcase career-wise. It’s harsh, but it’s true,” says Fabrice, a software developer based in Kribi.

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LinkedIn used to be the digital conference room — a place for exchanging business cards, job leads, and smart career advice. Now, it’s starting to feel more like a party hall, complete with wedding dresses, birthday cakes, and boarding passes.

While some users celebrate engagements in suits and ties, others long for a return to expert takes, career discussions, and professional networking. The platform may be more human than ever — but it’s also drifting into something harder to define. Ultimately, it’s up to each user to decide what they’re here for.

What about you !?
Do you think LinkedIn has strayed too far from its professional roots?
💬 Let us know in the comments!