how would you define the success of linkedin's skills endorsements feature?

Introduction

Defining the success of LinkedIn's skills endorsements feature requires a comprehensive approach that considers multiple stakeholders and metrics. To address this product success metrics challenge effectively, I'll follow a structured framework covering core metrics, supporting indicators, and risk factors while considering all key stakeholders.

Step 1

Product Context (5 minutes)

LinkedIn's skills endorsements feature allows users to validate the skills listed on a connection's profile. It serves as a quick way for professionals to recognize and confirm the abilities of their peers. The key stakeholders include:

1. LinkedIn users (both endorsers and endorsees)
2. Recruiters and hiring managers
3. LinkedIn as a platform

The user flow typically involves:

1. Viewing a connection's profile
2. Identifying skills to endorse
3. Clicking to endorse specific skills
4. (Optional) Adding new skills to endorse

This feature fits into LinkedIn's broader strategy of creating a comprehensive professional network that facilitates career growth and hiring. It adds a layer of social proof to users' profiles, potentially increasing their visibility and credibility.

Compared to competitors like Indeed or Glassdoor, LinkedIn's endorsements are unique in leveraging existing professional connections. This feature is in the maturity stage of its lifecycle, having been around for several years and undergone refinements.