Member Avatar for MktgRob

As reported on Mashable, web security software provider ScanSafe has completed research that shows a 20% increase in the number of companies blocking social networking sites over the past 6 months.

Having worked with some social network addicts who use their web-enabled phones at work so that they can do their work and constantly update their accounts simultaneously. (As this was while I was working in the hedge fund industry I feel bad for the accounts they were managing).

If this trend continues will the be problematic for social networking and online community marketers, especially those like Linkedin that are targeted towards professionals?

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Good question and worth watching. flagged the risk when employers limit social sites and pointed out that companies often manage web use during work hours. Those moves change when and where people can engage, but they do not eliminate professional audiences. The right response is to treat workplace blocking as a distribution constraint, not a channel death sentence.

Practical, low-friction actions community builders and marketers can take:

  • Audit traffic by device, hour and referral so decisions are based on real behavior rather than assumptions.
  • Make content time-shift friendly: schedule posts for commute, lunch and after-work windows; send concise daily or weekly email digests.
  • Capture and own contact info. A permissioned newsletter or forum keeps the relationship when social reach drops.
  • Optimize for mobile and low bandwidth so users who switch to phones still get a fast, usable experience.
  • Create pre-approved share kits and simple scripts if running an employee advocacy program; coordinate with HR/legal so sharing stays compliant.
  • Use diversified paid channels (search, sponsored content, professional networks) to reach people who cannot access social from work.

A few cautions: do not ask employees to bypass corporate policy. Measure impact with UTMs and device/time segmentation, then iterate. Focusing on owned assets and timing usually preserves reach even when on-site access is restricted.

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Member Avatar for InsightsDigital

It may... However, social networking has become an accepted form of behavior, even in certain corporate setting. Thus, a trend I noticed with a few companies has been "Web Free Wednesday" or something similar to discourage employees from using the web for a few hours.
In regards to your question, I dont think Linked or other professional sites will be affected. Why? Because the majority of daytime social networking that employees participate are more social and personal rather than professional. I wonder if someone in this board has statistics to share.

Member Avatar for MktgRob

It may... However, social networking has become an accepted form of behavior, even in certain corporate setting. Thus, a trend I noticed with a few companies has been "Web Free Wednesday" or something similar to discourage employees from using the web for a few hours.
In regards to your question, I dont think Linked or other professional sites will be affected. Why? Because the majority of daytime social networking that employees participate are more social and personal rather than professional. I wonder if someone in this board has statistics to share.

I understand and agree with what you say about daytime social networking at work but some companies (I have worked for a few) might take an all or nothing approach and even block Linkedin.

Member Avatar for InsightsDigital

That is true. I know of many companies that have even blocked google or MSN search engines as part of increasing productivity.

Member Avatar for MktgRob

That is true. I know of many companies that have even blocked google or MSN search engines as part of increasing productivity.

Next they will have to take away all the cell phones with web access and social networking apps.:D

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