Why would anyone browse LinkedIn? This is actually a serious question. I'm pretty good about keeping mine updated, but the only viewers I'm planning on are recruiters, who would be getting the same information regardless.
I don't know exactly why I do that. But every few weeks I login and browse through 100s of profiles starting with people I know, to suggestions I may know and then acquaintances of acquaintance and so on. I guess it is a mix of gossip and research for my personal consumption.
That's ironic. To me, the implication of browsing LinkedIn at work is that you're looking for another job. Whereas if you're browsing Facebook or Instagram you're just wasting time.
That's how I've seen it, definitely. At my old job it was at the point where you could tell who was pissed off at what time by seeing who'd been working on their LinkedIn profile... and after a company-wide announcement, everyone would update within a day or two.
It's a good place to share information I guess. I would've liked it to be a bit more academic if I were to browse it more often. If you work in consulting etc., it's also a nice place to get updates on what people are doing, because everyone (over)shares so much.
I think some people that just treat it like another Facebook. I've had several of people I barely know, and who I have nothing professionally in common with, try to add me.