LinkedIn to reach 8m milestone

LinkedIn, the rapidly expanding social media network, will have two-thirds of all UK professionals as members by the end of this month.

Ariel Eckstein, LinkedIn's managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said the site, which is typically used for business rather than leisure, is expecting to reach the eight million membership milestone in November. That represents 64 per cent year-on-year growth and a doubling of membership since June last year.

Mr Eckstein said: "A lot of the growth is due to the 'network effect' – the more people use a network, the more valuable it is to new users."

Globally, LinkedIn has around 135 million members, with two people signing up every second. There is still room for growth, as there are 640 million professionals around the world and there are no significant challengers to the model.

Mr Eckstein added: "Because of our focus on professionals we are optimistic of a very high level of [eventual] membership and users."