Show HN: LinkedIn sucks, so I built a better one

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Perceived Problems with LinkedIn

  • Many describe LinkedIn as unusable for finding interesting people or jobs: spammy feed, engagement bait, political content, humblebrags, and “Facebook Pro” vibes.
  • Complaints about performance: sluggish UI, battery drain, and TikTok-style videos that feel off-mission.
  • Recruiter UX is mixed: some get good roles via cold outreach and search; others see mass low-signal applications (thousands per posting) and generic recruiter spam.
  • Several users say LinkedIn is fine if you treat it as a static CV + inbox and aggressively hide the feed (uBlock filters, “Most recent” view, unfollowing everyone).

What OpenSpot Proposes

  • Public, curated profile pages with video, audio, and work samples; no feed, followers, or social metrics.
  • Goal is to help candidates “stand out” vs boilerplate resumes/LinkedIn profiles; founder claims multimodal showcases yield more interviews.
  • Positioned as “anti-LinkedIn”: no engagement farming, no endless scrolling; focus on quality signals and personality.
  • Currently US-only, with plans to expand; some confusion over “curated” meaning (answer: you curate your own profile).

Network Effects and Viability

  • Strong skepticism that any LinkedIn alternative can succeed without its network: the core value is “all the jobs and all the candidates,” not UI.
  • Multiple references to failed or shuttered “better LinkedIn” attempts; lesson: being nicer or prettier isn’t enough.
  • Concern that even if successful, monetization and VC pressure would push it toward the same enshittification (influencers, ads, engagement optimization).

Content, Video, and Bias

  • Many dislike video resumes and prominent photos: seen as extra unpaid work, “audition tapes,” and a vector for discrimination (age, race, gender, looks).
  • Some argue video helps show communication/“executive presence”; others counter that any benefit is outweighed by bias and legal risk.
  • Debate over cultural norms: in some regions photos on CVs are common; in others they’re a red flag.

Spam, Engagement, and Algorithms

  • Users warn that even profile-only sites attract spam, SEO pages, and porn; absence of a feed changes the shape of the problem but doesn’t remove it.
  • Broader debate: the real rot comes from engagement-driven algorithms and influencer incentives, not “average Joe” speaking.

Product & UX Feedback / Alternatives

  • Concrete feedback: buggy mobile/viewport detection, laggy carousel, broken About page, weak import/summarization, lack of reordering and certification fields, poor accessibility, confusing onboarding and “explore” flow.
  • Some want tag filters, term muting, recruiter/job-only views, sample profiles before signup, and clearer privacy stance.
  • Others suggest: focus on “beautiful easy portfolio” first; selective membership; structured matching (weighted questions) instead of more “content”; or just use personal blogs/portfolios plus existing LinkedIn.