What is linkedin for exactly to make friends?

: What is linkedin for exactly to make friends?
Is that site ‘Linkedin’ a site like social networking, Twitter/FB to make friends or what? I need some more contacts in different industries to get exclusive deals, etc. I don’t have many friends is that what this site is used for? You just contact people randomly and ask to be a contact or what? ty.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Scott
LinkedIn is like a facebook for business people. Think of it as a networking site.

Answer by Stingray
networking site

Answer by Steve B
Linkedin is a professional ‘networking’ site…. it’s MAJOR use is to find JOBS (and perhaps discuss industry trends and future work opportunities ..)

Most people only accept ‘link’ invitations from current and former workmates .. if you never worked with some-one they are likley to reject your ‘friend’ offer (people who accept non-professional’s as ‘friends’ soon find themselves and then new friends being ‘blocked’ by the community).

For sure you would not expect to get ‘recommendations’ from people you never worked with (recommending some-one means you are putting your own job ‘on the line’ … if that person messes up, the fall out could bring you down too ..)