LinkedIn can be a great resource for finding old content and posts from a company’s page. Here are some tips for tracking down previous posts, even from years ago:
Search the Company Page
The easiest way to find old posts is to go directly to the company’s LinkedIn page and use the built-in search bar. Type keywords related to what you’re looking for, like product names, initiatives, campaigns, etc. LinkedIn will search through all the posts on that page and return results. You can further filter by date range if needed.
Use LinkedIn’s Advanced Search
If you aren’t having luck on the company page itself, try LinkedIn’s advanced search function. Go to the main LinkedIn search bar at the top and click on the filters icon. From there, select the option for “Company” and type in the name. You can also filter by date range here.
For example, you could search for posts from company XYZ between Jan 1, 2017 and Dec 31, 2017. The results would show all public posts on XYZ’s company page for that year. Refine the date range or terms as needed.
Look Through the Company’s Feed
Go to the company’s LinkedIn page and scroll down to view their feed in chronological order. Keep scrolling to go back through time and visit older posts. This works well if you have a general date range in mind, like “sometime last year.” Scroll until you hit the right timeframe.
Check for Saved or Shared Posts
Did someone in your network share or save the post when it originally went up? Check their profile to see. Their activity tab will show any posts they shared from the company. Their saves tab will show posts they saved for later.
Use a Third-Party Social Media Search Engine
Sites like Social Searcher or Talkwalker let you search across social networks, including LinkedIn. They can find old posts and content even if it’s no longer visible on the company’s current timeline. They capture and index social media data regularly.
Ask the Company
If all else fails, reach out to the company directly through a message or comment. Explain what you’re looking for and ask if they can point you to the right post or send it to you directly. They may have it archived somewhere.
Set Up Google Alerts
For the future, set up Google Alerts for the company name and keywords. Google will email you whenever new mentions appear across the web, including on LinkedIn. This way you’ll stay on top of a company’s LinkedIn activity.
Use a Social Media Archiving Tool
Services like Socialert and Historiant continuously archive posts from LinkedIn company pages. You can search through their databases to find old content.
Check LinkedIn Publisher
If the company previously used LinkedIn’s publishing platform to post long-form articles, check LinkedIn Publisher. Search for their posts there. Publisher content is separate from the company’s main timeline.
Conclusion
While LinkedIn’s UI makes recent posts most accessible, with the right tools and search techniques you can dig up older company content. Use LinkedIn’s built-in search filters, scroll through timelines, check other profiles, use external social media search engines, reach out to the company, or use archiving tools. With a dated needs, most LinkedIn company content can be found with a little sleuthing.
| Search Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Company Page Search Bar | – Fast and easy – Searches all posts on page |
– Only searches that company’s content |
| LinkedIn Advanced Search | – Focused company results – Custom date ranges |
– Can’t search specific keywords |
| Scroll Company Feed | – See chronological order – Good for estimating date range |
– Time consuming to scroll through |
| Check Other Profiles | – Find posts others shared or saved | – Depends if anyone interacted with the post |
| Third-Party Search Engine | – Indexes broad social data – Finds deleted/hidden posts |
– Requires paid account for full access |
| Ask the Company | – Direct access to archival content | – Relies on company to respond and provide info |
| Google Alerts | – Get notified of new mentions | – Doesn’t surface old content |
| Archiving Service | – Comprehensive social data archive | – Requires paid subscription |
| LinkedIn Publisher | – Search company’s long-form articles | – Only includes Publisher content |
As you can see, each approach has its own pros and cons. Using a combination of techniques gives you the best chance of tracking down an old company post. Focus your efforts on LinkedIn first before expanding your search to third-party tools. With persistence and the right search methods, you can typically uncover hidden LinkedIn content.
Here are some more tips for searching LinkedIn:
Use Boolean Search Operators
LinkedIn’s search supports Boolean operators like AND, OR and NOT. Use them to combine keywords and narrow results. For example, search for social media AND strategy NOT Facebook.
Filter by Content Type
Search filters allow you to limit results to specific content types like articles, images, videos, etc. Refine your results by choosing a content type.
Sort Results Chronologically
You can sort LinkedIn search results to view them from newest to oldest or vice versa. Sort by date to quickly identify older posts.
Specify Author Names
Use author names in your search terms to find posts by specific people. For company pages, this could be executives, team members, founders, etc.
Use Keyword Search on Company Pages
The keyword filter on company pages searches through About Us, employees, posts, jobs and more. Cast a wide net.
Look at “Similar Pages” Recommendations
The similar pages module on company profiles suggests related brands and competitors. Search their histories too.
Follow Company Hashtags
If companies use branded hashtags, search for relevant terms like #CompanyNameContest or #CompanyNameJobs.
Monitor Trending Hashtags
Look for trending hashtags related to your industry. Companies often use relevant trending tags.
Visit the Posts Section
Make sure to view a company’s posts tab for all their updates in one place. Easy to scroll through.
Look at Pinned Posts
Pinned posts on company pages are usually important. Scan them for relevant announcements and content.
Check the Media Tab
Company photos and videos are found under the media tab. Searchable and shareable.
Read News Posts About the Company
Relevant articles from news sites are typically shared on LinkedIn. See if they mention what you’re looking for.
Connect with Current Employees
Directly asking current staff through LinkedIn messages can provide assistance finding old info.
Join Industry and Company Groups
Groups often have discussions and posts about major company news and initiatives.
Follow Company Hashtags
Track hashtags and keywords related to the company for any mentions across LinkedIn.
Use Third-Party Social Media Archiving Sites
If you can’t find it organically on LinkedIn, archiving sites index even deleted and undocumented posts.
Contact the Company’s Social Media Manager
Getting in touch with their community manager provides a direct line for unsurfaced content.
Install the LinkedIn Browser Extension
Browser extensions like LinkedIn Helper surface additional information and settings.
Make Your LinkedIn Profile Discoverable to Companies
Having a complete profile means companies can find and engage with you more easily.
More Tips for Optimizing Your LinkedIn Experience
In addition to improved search capabilities, there are a number of ways to enhance your overall LinkedIn use:
- Customize your LinkedIn URL – Make it simple and memorable with your name
- Showcase projects, papers, videos, certifications – Add rich media to your profile
- Follow influencers and thought leaders in your industry
- Join Groups to connect with like-minded professionals
- Engage with company pages by liking, commenting, sharing
- Publish your own long-form posts using LinkedIn Publisher
- Use Skills & Endorsements to highlight your expertise
- Give recommendations to colleagues for their great work
- Stay on top of news and trends with LinkedIn’s customizable feeds
- Use advance search filters to find relevant content & people
Taking full advantage of LinkedIn’s many options transforms it from just a digital resume to a valuable career development and networking tool. Invest time customizing your settings, connecting with the right people, engaging with content, and searching strategically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to search for old posts published more than 2 years ago?
The best option is to use LinkedIn’s advanced search filters and specify a custom date range covering when the post would have been published. You can search by company name and narrow down the timeline. Third-party social media search engines are another great way to uncover old posts.
How far back does LinkedIn’s search go?
LinkedIn’s default search typically goes back a couple of years. However, their advanced search filters let you manually specify any custom date range, allowing you to search as far back as LinkedIn has indexed for that company page.
If I’m searching my own company page, will I see more historical posts than the public?
Yes, when logged in, employees who manage company pages on LinkedIn will be able to view more historical data than the general public. They have access to posts that were specifically limited to internal viewing.
What are some key LinkedIn features I should use to optimize search?
Boolean search operators, content filters, date sorting, author names, keyword searches, trending hashtags, browser extensions, and advanced search filters will all help optimize your search experience on LinkedIn.
What metadata should I include to make my company posts easier to find later?
Using relevant keywords, hashtags, mentions, rich media, and clear timestamps will make your company posts much easier to surface in future searches. LinkedIn indexes these metadata tags.
What options do I have if I can’t find an old post on LinkedIn directly?
If searching LinkedIn doesn’t surface the old content, you can try third-party social media search engines, LinkedIn’s database of indexed content, social media monitoring tools, or directly reaching out to your company or contacts who may have shared the post.
Is there a limit to how far back I can search on LinkedIn?
There is no absolute cut-off, but LinkedIn’s own search is limited based on how far back their indexing goes. However, third-party tools may have indexed social data for years. The age of the company page also impacts search limits.
What are some examples of effective keywords to use when searching old company posts?
Product names, campaign names, branding slogans, executive names, office locations, mergers/acquisitions, company milestones, current events at the time, and industry conferences are all examples of potential keywords to try.
How can I be notified of old posts that I may have missed or forgotten about?
Setting up Google Alerts for the company name/keywords and checking third-party archiving sites periodically for indexed posts can help surface old content you may have missed. Social listening tools can also alert you.
If I can only find mentions of an old post but not the post itself, what should I do?
If you have details like the date, content, etc – you can try asking the company directly if they have it archived somewhere. If it was deleted, third-party archiving sites may still have a copy in their records if it was indexed earlier.
Conclusion
Digging up older LinkedIn posts takes some search savvy, but a multitude of tactics can uncover hidden content. Maximizing LinkedIn’s built-in filters provides a strong starting point before branching out to third-party tools. Remember – even deleted posts leave a trail somewhere on the web if you know where to look. With the right combination of search techniques, no LinkedIn post stays buried forever.