LinkedIn is one of the most popular social media platforms for professionals, with over 722 million users worldwide as of January 2021. On LinkedIn, users can create profiles, connect with other professionals, join groups, follow companies, and share content in the form of posts.
One common question that many LinkedIn users have is whether the platform shows posts in chronological order or uses some type of algorithm to determine the order in which posts are displayed in the feed. The answer to this question has implications for how users should post content in order to maximise engagement.
In this article, we will examine how the LinkedIn feed works, look at the factors that determine the order of posts, and provide tips for posting content that is more likely to be seen by your connections.
Does LinkedIn Show Posts Chronologically?
The short answer is no – LinkedIn does not display posts strictly in chronological order. Instead, LinkedIn uses an algorithm that considers several factors to determine the ranking and order of posts displayed to each user.
Some key factors that influence post order on LinkedIn include:
- Level of engagement – Posts with more likes, comments, and shares appear higher.
- Relationship to the viewer – Posts from connections are prioritized over posts from non-connections.
- Relevance to the viewer – Posts relevant to your industry and interests are ranked higher.
- Post quality – High-quality posts with rich media tend to be ranked higher.
- Recency – More recent posts are weighted slightly higher than older posts.
- Paid promotion – Sponsored posts appear at the top of the feed.
So in summary, while recency does play a role, engagement and relevance are much more important factors for determining which posts you will see towards the top of your LinkedIn feed.
How Does LinkedIn’s Feed Algorithm Work?
LinkedIn uses a complex machine learning algorithm to customize every user’s feed and promote content most relevant to them. The goal is to create a personalized “daily newspaper” for every LinkedIn member.
Here are some key things to know about how LinkedIn’s feed ranking algorithm works:
- Analyzes your profile data – Industry, location, skills, education, connections etc.
- Tracks your engagement – Likes, comments, shares, clicks etc. on different post types.
- Learns from your preferences – Feedbacks you provide on posts.
- Considers origin of post – Whether from a close connection or non-connection.
- Evaluates post quality – Photos, videos, links, rich media, text length etc.
- Incorporates real-time signals – Recent activity by you and your connections.
All of this data goes into a machine learning model that seeks to predict and rank the posts you are most likely to be interested in at any given moment.
So in reality, no two LinkedIn members will see posts in the exact same order, even if they are connected to the same people and companies. The algorithm tailors the ranking individually for every user.
Tips for Posting on LinkedIn to Improve Visibility
Now that we understand how LinkedIn’s feed algorithm works, here are some tips to boost the visibility of your posts:
Post consistently
Posting frequently improves your reach as it shows the algorithm you are an active user generating engaging content. But make sure you post valuable insights and not just promotional content.
Post at optimal times
Posting during working hours on weekdays, especially Tuesday-Thursday, can improve visibility as that’s when most LinkedIn users are active. Early morning or late afternoon tend to be good times.
Use rich media
Posts with images, videos, presentations, and other multimedia get much higher engagement. Make your posts visual and interactive.
Write longer posts
Posts exceeding 100-200 words tend to perform better than shorter posts according to LinkedIn. But quality trumps quantity, so focus on sharing useful insights.
Use relevant hashtags
Well-chosen hashtags related to your industry or post topic can help the right people discover your posts. But don’t overdo it.
Engage with your network
Commenting and liking others’ posts increases the likelihood of them engaging with your posts. Being an active member of your communities improves visibility.
Monitor analytics
Use LinkedIn’s analytics to see which types of posts get the most engagement from your audience. Then create more of that content.
Promote high-value posts
For very important posts, you can pay to amplify their visibility. Sponsored posts get significant additional exposure in the feed.
Conclusion
LinkedIn’s feed algorithm is optimized to show users the most personalized, relevant, engaging content from their network. While recency plays a minor role, quality engagement and sharing are much bigger drivers of post visibility.
By understanding how the algorithm works, posting valuable content consistently, and interacting actively with your communities, you can organically increase your reach and visibility on LinkedIn without having to pay for promotion.