LinkedIn Won't Let This BAYC Member Use His Ape As His PFP

LinkedIn doesn’t want NFTs used as profile photos on its platform, according to a message one bored ape received from the social media company.

Bored Ape Yacht Club member Beleevens received an email from LinkedIn the other day informing him that his profile photo had been removed.

“We recently had to remove your profile photo for the following reason,” the email stated. “The picture is in violation of the LinkedIn Photo Policy. Profile photos are important - they help you get recognized and add color to your profile, so we want to give you all the information you need to choose another one.”

LinkedIn went on to explain the four reasons that a profile photo may be removed from their site, including “not being an image of you or an actual photograph.”

Beleevens told the Bored Ape Gazette that he changed his LinkedIn profile photo to his bored ape, Bored Ape #2084, back on August 17th.

Beleevens said that he changed his LinkedIn profile photo to his ape so he could find like-minded people and build a professional network.

“I decided to change it on LinkedIn because Twitter is one thing, but the ability to find like-minded people in the NFT world in a business context is a completely different thing,” he explained. “I'm working on my own NFT project and am looking for people to join me. On top of that, I'm offering UX Design + NFT consulting as a service, so it only made sense to represent myself with my ape.”

For months, using his ape on LinkedIn was working for Beleevens. The BAYC member currently has 992 people in his network and is constantly commenting and connecting with like-minded users on the platform

“LinkedIn is about connecting,” Beleevens said. “Why create barriers around that? Of course, I understand the point that it's supposed to be a professional network and people might want to see your face. But on the other hand, it's just as easy to take a fake photo and upload it. LinkedIn doesn't know if the photo is me or someone else, so why forbid NFTs?”

The Bored Ape Gazette reached out to “LinkedIn Help” via Twitter and asked the company or a comment regarding NFTs as profile photos on their website. At the time of this articles publication, the Bored Ape Gazette did not hear back from them.

In the email Beleevens received form LinkedIn, the company stated that, “Profile photos are important- they help you get recognized and add color to your profile.”

This line stuck out Beleevens and left him wondering why an employer needs to know what he looks like. “On another note why is it important for employers to see how you look? Shouldn't it be more important to consider your experience and knowledge in the field than your looks?”

Beleevens isn’t the only NFT enthusiast wondering why having a photo of yourself on LinkedIn is important. Twitter User aLanparty took to Twitter to call out the networking company’s apparent profile photo policy. “in defense of @LinkedIn we all know that the shape and color of one's face is the most important aspect of the hiring process. by not showing your face employers would need to look at your work history and experience. God forbid such a horror, as this, should befall them.”

Many NFT owners are using their NFTs as profile photos on LinkedIn. After LinkedIn took down Beleeven’s profile photo, many NFT holders are wondering when a Web3 version of LinkedIn will be created.

“How is there no web3 Linkedin, Beanie Maxi tweeted. “No names. Add pfp if you’re cool. Based on your wallet alone, most people can quickly determine credibility. Right away this eliminates racial prejudices.”

The Bored Ape Gazette will continue to follow this story and let you know when we hear back from LinkedIn.