Social media sites expand their reach

Twitter and LinkedIn have combined to allow users to update their status on both networks at the same time.

Social media sites Twitter and LinkedIn have collaborated to allow users to update their statuses more easily.

By syncing the two sites, users will be able to communicate with both networks at the same time - with both status boxes conveniently allowing users to type 140 characters.

The connection is intriguing since people signed up to Twitter can be nameless and faceless, whereas LinkedIn is all about spreading a person's identity across a professional network.

LinkedIn currently has 50 million members, who usually update their profiles and statuses to get ahead in their careers by posting CVs, achievements and contact details.

Allen Blue, co-founder of Twitter, is reported to have claimed that the social media site hopes to tap into LinkedIn's sense of identity to make tweeters more successful.

Recently, the organisation released a paid-for service called CoTweet, which allows businesses access to various web analytics and product support.

Coca-Cola, Microsoft and Ford have all signed up.

12/11/2009