• by Mark Walsh  @markfwal, February 27, 2012

LinkedIn today launched a “Follow” button that member companies can add to their Web sites so people can keep up with brands through their company LinkedIn pages. By clicking on the button, someone will automatically begin to follow a company as long as they’re logged onto LinkedIn. Otherwise a box appears asking for their account login. Company status updates will then appear on a user’s LinkedIn home page.

The online professional network said research shows 70% of members follow or would companies on LinkedIn. Half would do so “indefinitely.” And about half of current followers say they’re more likely to purchase products or services from a company that’s more engaged with its followers. Almost two-thirds (63%) expect companies to have a presence on LinkedIn. The site introduced pages for brands in late 2010.