Social Media News for June 2011

Image by archer10 (Dennis) via Flickr

This month we’ve got LinkedIn going public, Facebook changing privacy settings (again), and Google honoring guitar great Les Paul.

LinkedIn Goes Public

Big news last month as LinkedIn launched on the NYSE (LINKD), the biggest internet IPO since Google’s in 2004.  The Wall Street Journal reports:

Shares opened May 19th at $83, up 84% from its initial public offering price of $45. By the market’s 4 p.m. close, the stock had soared 109% to $94.25.

Could this set the stage for other internet companies like Facebook, Zynga, and Groupon?

Facebook’s Facial Recognition App Controversy

Facebook again has stirred up controversy with its new Facial Recognition application. We talked about this a bit back in January.  You can tag groups of photos in an album, and Facebook uses its facial recognition technology to suggest the friend you should tag with. This means that a Facebook friend could potentially tag you in any photo they’ve uploaded, whether you want it or not by default.

There are three ways you can manage this, should you be concerned. In a recommended order of importance:

1. Don’t put yourself in compromising situations where a Facebook friend could snap an upload a picture of you to Facebook.
2. Manage your Facebook friends so that you’re only connected to those you trust.
3. Update your Facebook privacy settings.

To disable this feature in Facebook:

1. Log into Facebook, click the Account drop down and select Privacy Settings.
2. Click Customize settings.
3. Scroll down to the Things others share section.
4. Next to the Suggest photos of me to friends option, click Edit Settings and change the setting from Enabled to Disabled.
5. Click Okay.

Google Honors Les Paul with Playable and Recordable Google Doodle

Google is known for commemorating special days and anniversaries by changing the logo on its homepage. Earlier this week, they put up a special Google doodle to honor Les Paul, shaped like an electric guitar. Mousing over the strings played notes, and you could also record and share your recording with others.

Playable Les Paul Google Doodle