LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional social network with over 722 million users worldwide. On LinkedIn, users can connect with colleagues, find jobs, follow companies, join groups, and much more. One of LinkedIn’s key features is the ability to react to posts with emojis similar to Facebook’s reactions. Reacting to content is a quick and easy way to engage with posts on LinkedIn without having to leave a written comment.
There are several different types of reactions available on LinkedIn. Understanding how to use these reactions allows you to express yourself in a variety of ways when engaging with content. In this article, we will explore the different types of LinkedIn reactions, when to use each one, and how you can start reacting to posts today.
The Different LinkedIn Reactions
LinkedIn offers users the ability to react to posts in their feed as well as engage with content shared directly with them. There are 7 different reaction options on LinkedIn:
- Like – The Like reaction is the default reaction on LinkedIn. It expresses a positive sentiment and engagement with the content.
- Celebrate – The Celebrate reaction displays a celebratory emoji such as confetti or fireworks. It shows excitement about career or company news shared in the post.
- Love – The Love reaction shares the traditional heart eyes emoji. Use this reaction for content that resonates with you on an emotional level.
- Insightful – The Insightful reaction displays a thinking emoji. It indicates the content provided valuable insights or new information.
- Curious – The Curious reaction shows an inquisitive emoji with a magnifying glass. Use this when the content piques your interest and makes you want to learn more.
- Support – The Support reaction displays a handshake emoji. This reaction shows you endorse the message and career moves detailed in the post.
- Care – The Care reaction shares a caring emoji with its hands over its heart. Use this reaction when the content relates to tough situations or news deserving empathy.
These 7 reaction options allow you to respond to a wide range of content in meaningful ways beyond a simple like or heart reaction. But when is the appropriate time to use each reaction?
When to Use Each LinkedIn Reaction
Determining which LinkedIn reaction to use depends on the type of content you are engaging with in your feed. Here are some recommendations on when to use each reaction:
Use the Like Reaction When:
- You want to quickly acknowledge a post without a more nuanced reaction
- You agree with or appreciate the overall message but aren’t feeling a deeper emotion
- The content is interesting but not necessarily exciting, insightful or curious
- You want to boost the post’s engagement but don’t have time for a lengthy comment
The Like reaction is the most general purpose reaction on LinkedIn. Use it when you want to engage but other reactions don’t fully fit.
Use the Celebrate Reaction For:
- Professional achievements like promotions, new jobs, graduations or certifications
- Company growth, product launches or other milestones
- Personal accomplishments colleagues share such as races, volunteering efforts or competitions
- Retirement announcements, especially for long-tenured employees
The Celebrate reaction shows excitement for major life and career events. Use it to congratulate connections on big news.
Use the Love Reaction When:
- The content resonates with you emotionally in a positive way
- The post shares a motivational or inspiring message
- Someone shares a touching personal story or vulnerable moment
- You want to show extra appreciation for exceptional content
The Love reaction helps amplify posts with heartfelt messages or stories. Use it to show deep appreciation.
Use the Insightful Reaction For:
- Industry analysis or trends that provide new market insights
- Career, management or productivity advice that offers actionable tips
- Thought leadership content with smart business perspectives
- Reporting or research that reveals noteworthy findings
The Insightful reaction shows you learned something meaningful from the content. Use it for posts with practical value.
Use the Curious Reaction When:
- The post covers an interesting topic, but you want to learn more
- The content raises thought-provoking ideas or questions you want to explore
- A connection teases an upcoming announcement or project without full details
- The message prompts you to do extra research into the subject
The Curious reaction conveys interest in the ideas shared. Use it when the content leaves you wanting more information.
Use the Support Reaction For:
- Job search announcements from connections looking for new roles
- Personal or professional challenges colleagues are facing
- Advocacy for social justice, nonprofits or volunteerism
- Calls to action around meaningful initiatives
The Support reaction shows solidarity and endorsement. Use it to back connections’ efforts and campaigns.
Use the Care Reaction When:
- Connections share difficult personal news such as bereavement, illnesses or setbacks
- Posts discuss traumatic events, ethical dilemmas or injustice
- The content encourages greater compassion and empathy in the world
- You want to comfort someone going through a tough time
The Care reaction expresses sympathy and compassion. Use it when sensitive topics deserve a little extra heart.
How to Start Reacting to LinkedIn Posts
Now that you know when to use each type of LinkedIn reaction, here is how you can start reacting to content:
On the LinkedIn Mobile App:
- Open the LinkedIn app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Go to your LinkedIn feed by tapping the Network icon (the 3 lines) in the top left corner.
- Scroll through your feed and find a post you want to react to.
- Tap the reaction icon below the post. This icon is two speech bubbles with hearts inside.
- Select the reaction you want to use from the menu that pops up.
- The number next to your chosen reaction will increment to show it has been applied.
On the LinkedIn Website:
- Go to the LinkedIn feed by clicking Home in the top navigation bar.
- Find a post you want to react to and hover your mouse over it.
- Click the reaction icon that pops up. This icon looks like two overlapping hearts.
- Choose the reaction you want to use from the menu.
- The reaction counter will update to register you reacted.
Reacting to posts is quick and simple no matter which platform you use. Consider reacting frequently to meaningfully engage with your network.
Best Practices For LinkedIn Reactions
To get the most out of LinkedIn reactions, keep these best practices in mind:
- React sincerely to content that truly resonates with you, not just for the sake of reacting.
- Vary your reactions to continue building social proof around different types of posts.
- Avoid repeatedly reacting to only your own content or spamming connections with reactions.
- React thoughtfully and consistently with your personal and professional brand.
- Use reactions to start conversations by layering on constructive comments.
Reactions work best when used purposefully. Think about how each reaction helps you present your desired image on LinkedIn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about LinkedIn reactions:
How many reactions can you use at once on a LinkedIn post?
You can only select one reaction per post. LinkedIn allows you to change or remove your reaction at any time. But you cannot layer multiple reactions onto a single post.
Can you take back a LinkedIn reaction?
Yes, you can remove a reaction you have used on a post at any time. Just click the reaction you had selected to undo it. The reaction counter will decrement to show one less user reacted.
Do LinkedIn reactions notify someone like tags?
No, LinkedIn reactions do not directly notify the original poster like tags do. However, the post author will see reaction counts update on their post.
Can companies create LinkedIn pages react to content?
Yes. Company pages on LinkedIn can react to posts just like individual users can. This allows brands to interact using reactions.
Do LinkedIn reactions expire after a certain time period?
No, LinkedIn reactions do not expire. Any reactions used on a post will remain unless the original poster or reacting user deletes them.
Conclusion
Reacting on LinkedIn provides an easy way to interact with content and your professional network. The 7 different reaction options – Like, Celebrate, Love, Insightful, Curious, Support, and Care – give you the flexibility to respond appropriately to a wide range of posts. Consider using reactions to share quick feedback as you scroll through your feed. With these tips, you can add more value to your LinkedIn engagements using reactions.
