LinkedIn has begun rolling out a new look to its homepage and added new features to its social news platform, LinkedIn Today, in efforts to bring the professional network’s user experience more in line with current social media expectations.

A cleaner look

Over the coming weeks, LinkedIn will notice a sharp new look to their homepage. While some have described it as decidedly “Facebook-y”, the new look is more akin to Google+ than Facebook, with less clutter being the rule of the day.

An effort to move towards a simpler and cleaner LinkedIn user experience, the redesign includes an easier-on-the-eye news stream that makes better use of accompanying images and a more prominent navigation toolbar.

Increased social engagement

Another welcome change to the LinkedIn homepage is the ability to for users to like, comment, or share updates from their news stream, as well as send messages to connections from within updates.

Extending on these additions, LinkedIn’s social news platform, LinkedIn Today, has also received updates intended to facilitate better user engagement across the site.

Articles on LinkedIn Today now allow for Facebook-style commenting and liking, while the “Trending in Your Network” tab allows users to get a better idea of what others in their professional network are discussing.

Whether or not these updates have anything to do with circulating rumours of an impending Facebook-based jobs network remains to be seen. Nonetheless, LinkedIn’s recognition of a need for more immediate social interaction and simplified functionality is likely to be well received.