Let's Circle Back: LinkedIn Launches Corporate Phrase Message Generator

LinkedIn rolled out a new feature for those who aren’t so good at responding to messages: smart replies.

Using machine learning, LinkedIn now suggests users up to three relevant responses to messages they receive. The social media network for professionals launched the update on the platform’s app and desktop site.

If a friend on LinkedIn asks if the user is available for coffee, the platform will suggest “Yes I am,” “Sure!” or “What time?” as responses. If someone asks how another is, the user will see responses like “Good,” “Fine,” or “Great, thanks!” on the screen.

LinkedIn released a short clip showing how the feature works:

“The conversations you have on LinkedIn can open up a variety of opportunities, ranging from making an introduction to your next boss to getting valuable advice from a peer in your industry,” LinkedIn said in a post. “But we know that finding the time to reply or simply be responsive to incoming messages can sometimes be a challenge with everything else you have going on.”

However, users shouldn’t expect the smart replies feature to automatically land them a job, since the responses are pretty basic, like Gmail response suggestions.

LinkedIn promises the responses will get better in time. In the future, users will get more personalized response suggestions, like “Thanks, Joe!” rather than just “Thanks.”

LinkedIn’s algorithms analyze “massive numbers of messages to recognize patterns and recommend typical replies to a given message,” the platform said.

“Our analytical models and algorithms are improved over time based on members' usage,” LinkedIn explained in a post. “For instance, whether and how members use smart replies helps refine the replies and when they're presented.”

The update is launching globally worldwide in English first, with more languages coming soon, LinkedIn said. Users can choose whether or not they want to use smart replies by going to their account settings.

To turn Smart Replies for LinkedIn’s desktop version, users can go to:

1. The Me icon at top of the LinkedIn homepage.

2. Select Settings & Privacy from the dropdown menu.

3. Click the Communications section.

4. Under the Basics section, click Change next to Messaging Smart Replies.

5. Use the toggle to turn Smart Replies on or off.

For iOS and Android:

1. Tap on account profile picture.

2. Tap the Settings icon in the top right corner of the screen.

3. Go to the Communications section.

4. Tap Messaging Smart Replies.

5. Use the toggle to turn on or off.

The new feature comes after LinkedIn revamped its site and messaging service earlier this year. LinkedIn’s previous messaging service looked more like emails do, but the latest works as a real-time desktop message service. The other features LinkedIn rolled out earlier this year included a cleaner design, more relevant feed, new search tools and suggestions to users on how to make their profile better.