With the rapid growth of Facebook and the insane amount of buzz it has gotten since opening up its platform, it seems like online networking tools catering to other crowds are vulnerable to be consumed by the sheer number of Facebook users who will demand the service add ever more capabilities. Now it appears business networking tool, LinkedIn, is taking steps to combat its users all simply moving to Facebook by opening its platform to developers as well.

LinkedIn and Facebook still serve two different niches, but the gap could be quickly closing. As the Unofficial Facebook Blog notes, they are receiving many more professional "friend" requests now via Facebook than they are via LinkedIn. I've found this to be the case as well, and though I like the idea of separating my personal from professional contacts, it would be nice to be able to do that all on one service.

Many have wondered if there is ultimately room for both tools in this arena. Steve Rubel has suggested that Facebook should cut off this battle before it gets started and step in and simply buy LinkedIn. I think this would be a great move by Facebook as well, and if the could connect the two via a single link or button on your Facebook profile, and not make it so they are completely intertwined, it could be huge.

Imagine a green-themed (for money) co-branded LinkedIn/Facebook Business area so you could differentiate your social network from your business one. Depending on the privacy levels you set, these two separate areas could have a ton of interaction with each other or none. Makes a lot of sense to me.

For now it appears we'll have to see if an open platform can have the same explosive effect on LinkedIn as it did on Facebook. I'm not sure that it will, but its certainly worth a try. LinkedIn is a great service, but as more and more Facebook-addicted college kids graduate and move into the working world, will it be able to compete with a Facebook business network?