Elon Musk slams LinkedIn as 'cringe' in social media spat - Here's why
Elon Musk, the CEO behind Tesla and SpaceX, has taken a swipe at LinkedIn, the popular networking platform owned by Microsoft. In a candid remark on Wednesday, Musk expressed disdain for LinkedIn, labelling the platform as "so cringe it will make your toenails curl." This critique comes as Musk sets his sights on revolutionising the job search experience through his own platform, X.
While LinkedIn boasts nearly 1 billion members spread across over 200 countries, Musk's X social media platform has been steadily gaining traction, with 600 million monthly active users (MAUs). Musk's dissatisfaction with LinkedIn was prompted by a post from an X user, Alex Cohen, who expressed a vehement dislike for the professional networking site.
In response to Cohen's post, where he declared his hatred for LinkedIn, Musk doubled down on his criticism, describing LinkedIn as "so cringe it will make your toenails curl." This brief interaction sparked a flurry of responses from Musk's followers on the X platform, with many echoing his sentiments and expressing frustration with LinkedIn's perceived shortcomings.
One X user pointed out a key distinction between X and LinkedIn, highlighting that on X, people tend to present their authentic selves, whereas on LinkedIn, there is a tendency for users to adopt a more polished or sanitised persona, perhaps under the pressure of professional scrutiny.
Undeterred by the criticism of existing social networks, Musk is forging ahead with plans to integrate job search functionality directly into the X platform. This move aligns with Musk's broader vision of creating an all-encompassing "everything app" that seamlessly integrates various functionalities, including social networking and job search.
Musk's commitment to improving the job search experience extends beyond the realm of X. Last year, his artificial intelligence company began posting job listings via @XHiring on its page, targeting potential candidates in the US.
In his quest to disrupt the status quo and push the boundaries of innovation, Musk remains steadfast in his belief that existing social networks fail to meet the needs of users adequately. With his sights set on creating "at least one" great social network, Musk is determined to carve out a space in the digital landscape where authenticity and innovation reign supreme.
As Musk continues to challenge the norms of traditional social networking, his critique of LinkedIn serves as a reminder of the ongoing evolution of digital platforms and the relentless pursuit of excellence in the tech industry.
Whether Musk's ambitious vision for X will reshape the future of social networking remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the outspoken CEO is not afraid to speak his mind and challenge the status quo.