LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform with over 810 million members worldwide. With so many professionals connecting on LinkedIn, it’s inevitable that some will want to discuss political issues. However, LinkedIn has specific rules around posting political content. Understanding these rules can help members avoid having their posts removed or their accounts suspended.
LinkedIn’s Stance on Political Content
LinkedIn’s User Agreement states: “We do not allow members to post content that promotes or celebrates hate, violence, racial intolerance, terrorism, the abuse of animals, or crimes or harm against people, groups, or property.” This includes content related to politics that violates these principles.
However, LinkedIn does allow respectful, thoughtful discussions related to politics from members’ professional perspectives. The key is keeping the discourse civil and relevant to the workplace. Posts related to political figures, issues, and organizations are allowed provided they adhere to LinkedIn’s guidelines.
Types of Acceptable Political Content
Here are examples of political content generally allowed on LinkedIn as long as the tone remains professional and respectful:
- Sharing a news article related to politics and providing your professional commentary on it
- Announcing a new role working for a political candidate or elected official
- Providing insights on a political issue connected to your industry or area of expertise
- Commenting on how a new policy or regulation may impact your business or profession
- Starting a civil discussion related to diversity, equity and inclusion issues
These types of posts allow members to share their expertise and engage thoughtfully with others in their field on political matters relevant to their work.
Types of Unacceptable Political Content
However, some types of political content are prohibited by LinkedIn’s policies:
- Making hateful, abusive, racist, sexist, or otherwise prejudiced remarks about a candidate, party, or group
- Spreading demonstrably false information or conspiracy theories
- Calling for violence or illegal activity
- Using profanity, personal insults, or aggressive language when referring to politicians
- Disparaging someone based on protected characteristics like race, gender, or sexual orientation
Posts violating LinkedIn’s standards may be removed, and repeat offenders may have their accounts restricted or suspended.
LinkedIn’s Review Process
LinkedIn uses automated systems and human reviewers to evaluate posts that are flagged for violations. Context matters when determining if political content crosses the line. Factors considered include:
- Whether the post promotes hate or harm against others
- If it relates to the member’s professional identity and expertise
- If it invites constructive, thoughtful dialogue relevant to the workplace
- Whether respectful language is used even when disagreeing
Reviewers will make the final decision on whether a post with political undertones adheres to LinkedIn’s Professional Community Policies. Members can appeal decisions if they feel a post was removed in error.
Best Practices for Sharing Political Views
To have a positive experience engaging in political discourse on LinkedIn:
- Frame views from your professional perspective
- Provide facts and credible sources to support stances
- Be thoughtful and constructive rather than inflammatory
- Encourage civil debate focused on ideas rather than personal attacks
- Avoid sweeping generalizations about groups or individuals
- Listen respectfully to views that differ from your own
Following these best practices will lead to substantive exchanges that abide by LinkedIn’s rules.
Consequences for Violating LinkedIn’s Policies
If members fail to follow the guidelines for political posts, LinkedIn may take these actions:
- Removing inappropriate posts
- Temporarily limiting ability to post, comment, or interact
- Disabling accounts for a period of time
- Permanently closing accounts for severe or repeat violations
Having an account restricted or banned can cut off valuable networking and professional opportunities available through LinkedIn. That is why members should ensure political commentary does not conflict with the rules.
Advertising Political Content
In addition to posts, LinkedIn also has policies related to advertising political content. Ads endorsing specific candidates, political parties, or policy initiatives are prohibited. However, ads that provide balanced commentary on legislative issues or political analysis from media outlets may be allowed.
LinkedIn carefully reviews all ads related to elections, politics, and social issues. Restrictions apply to advertisers targeting members based on political affinities inferred from data such as profile fields, employer, job title, and group memberships.
Alternative Platforms for Broader Political Expression
While LinkedIn permits respectful, professional political discourse connected to work, members wanting to engage in activism or advocacy may prefer using other platforms with looser restrictions. Popular alternative sites include:
- YouTube
- TikTok
- Quora
These networks allow for wider-ranging political commentary, grassroots mobilization, and protest organizing activities that exceed LinkedIn’s narrower focus on job-related discussions. However, fake news and toxic polarization also run rampant on some of these platforms.
Freedom of Speech Protections
LinkedIn’s content policies restrict certain political speech but are legally permitted due to LinkedIn’s status as a private company, not a government entity. The First Amendment limits government censorship but does not apply to private corporations like LinkedIn that can regulate allowable content on their platforms.
Still, LinkedIn aims to uphold principles of expression vital to democracy by allowing respectful discourse related to politics, policy, and social reforms. Strict prohibitions target only speech that threatens safety, equality, and professionalism – not ideologies themselves. By focusing on decorum over orthodoxy, LinkedIn hopes to sustain its ecosystem of constructive political engagement.
The Future of Politics on LinkedIn
Looking ahead, politics on LinkedIn will likely grow as more politicians, government agencies, and advocacy groups join the platform. With midterm elections coming in 2022, political activity on LinkedIn will continue increasing. To maintain trust and safety, LinkedIn will need to transparently and even-handedly enforce its policies at scale despite intensifying politicization.
As the lines between professional and personal identities blur, both companies and members themselves will need to reflect on what types of political advocacy have a place on LinkedIn compared to other digital spheres. Through upholding standards of credibility and courtesy, LinkedIn can avoid corrosive polarization and instead facilitate nuanced, illuminating political exchanges that enrich rather than distract from the core mission of building careers and organizations.
Conclusion
Political discourse is allowed on LinkedIn, but within bounds. Posts related to work, constructive commentary, and civil debate are permitted, while hate, misinformation, and extremism are not. Wise professionals understand LinkedIn’s guidelines and engage thoughtfully with each other to advance collective understanding. By focusing political energy toward creating positive change, the platform can help elevate important discussions rather than simply intensify societal divides.
