What is the most followed LinkedIn account?

LinkedIn is one of the most popular professional social networking sites, with over 800 million members worldwide. On LinkedIn, members and organizations can create accounts to connect with other professionals, promote themselves or their businesses, look for jobs, network, and more. Some LinkedIn accounts have gained massive followings, with followers numbering in the millions. But what is the most followed LinkedIn account of all time?

Microsoft

With over 17 million followers, the Microsoft LinkedIn page is one of the most followed on the platform. Microsoft uses its LinkedIn presence to share company news and updates, promote its products and services, recruit employees, and connect with professionals in the tech industry. The popularity of Microsoft’s LinkedIn is not surprising, given that it is one of the biggest and most influential tech companies in the world. Microsoft acquired LinkedIn in 2016 in a massive $26 billion deal, underlining how important professional social media is to the tech giant.

The Gates Foundation

The philanthropic organization established by Bill and Melinda Gates has amassed over 11 million LinkedIn followers. The organization uses its LinkedIn page to promote its advocacy work across areas like global health, poverty, and education. Followers can access a feed of news updates, videos, employee spotlights, and details on the foundation’s major initiatives. The prominent public profile of Bill and Melinda Gates contributes to the high follower count, as does interest in the organization’s worldwide philanthropy work.

Sundar Pichai

As the CEO of Google and Alphabet, Sundar Pichai has gained over 7 million followers on his personal LinkedIn account. Pichai shares leadership advice, insights into Google’s product developments, pictures from work events, and more. His large following can be attributed to his high-profile position at one of the most influential tech companies in the world. Many followers are interested in insights from his leadership role and desire to emulate his successful career path.

Barack Obama

The former President of the United States has accumulated over 6 million LinkedIn followers. Obama uses his account to promote the Obama Foundation’s initiatives, share content from public events and speeches, and weigh in on current issues. His account provides a unique perspective from his time in the White House and insights into his post-presidency work. The historic nature of his presidency and his continued popularity likely contribute to his massive following.

Sir Richard Branson

With over 5 million followers, Sir Richard Branson is one of the most followed business leaders on LinkedIn. The British entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Group uses his account to promote Virgin brands and share his perspectives on leadership, management, and entrepreneurship. Followers can access advice from Branson’s 50+ years in business, quotes on finding success, and updates on Virgin’s new ventures. His adventurous personal brand and prominence as a billionaire investor help drive engagement on his account.

Bill Gates

Microsoft’s famous co-founder Bill Gates has accumulated over 3 million followers on LinkedIn. He uses his account to advocate for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, share thoughts on innovation and technology, and provide glimpses into his business and philanthropic work. Given Gates’ longstanding influence in the tech industry and prominence as one of the world’s wealthiest people, it is no surprise he attracts millions of followers. His insights on business, technology, and philanthropy continue garnering high interest.

Jack Welch

The former CEO of GE has over 1.7 million followers on his LinkedIn account. Welch shares leadership and management advice drawn from his over 40 years at GE, where he led the company to tremendous growth and expansion. His posts highlight his greatest accomplishments, life lessons, strategies for success, and business philosophy. Welch’s long track record as an elite business leader makes his account of great interest to many aspiring professionals and managers.

Gary Vaynerchuk

As a successful entrepreneur, CEO, investor, and author, Gary Vaynerchuk has attracted over 1.5 million followers on LinkedIn. He uses his account to share valuable insights on building brands, connecting with audiences, organizational leadership, investing, and more. His lively motivational style and emphasis on mindset and personal development resonate with many followers. Vaynerchuk’s account provides a mix of business and personal development advice from his own unique lens.

Satya Nadella

The current CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, has over 1 million followers on LinkedIn. He uses his account to share Microsoft news, comment on tech innovations, provide career and leadership advice, and promote causes like disability inclusion and STEM education access. Nadella provides a unique insider perspective from one of the most influential companies in the world. His background as an engineer and business executive informs much of the leadership and management advice he provides to followers.

Jeff Weiner

As the CEO of LinkedIn, Jeff Weiner understandably has a large following of over 1 million on the platform. Weiner’s posts provide insights into LinkedIn’s growth and new initiatives, discuss effective management strategies, highlight company milestones, and more. Given his integral role in expanding LinkedIn to over 800 million users, Weiner offers an insider’s view into professional social networking and building an impactful global platform.

Other Notable Accounts

While the above profiles are definitively the most followed on LinkedIn, many other high-profile figures maintain accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers. These include business executives like:

• Reid Hoffman – Co-Founder of LinkedIn (900K followers)
• Arianna Huffington – Founder of HuffPost (900K followers)
• Elon Musk – Founder of Tesla and SpaceX (600K followers)
• Sheryl Sandberg – COO of Facebook (500K followers)
• Tim Cook – CEO of Apple (400K followers)

Prominent political figures also attract large followings:

• Barack and Michelle Obama (6M and 2M followers respectively)
• Hillary Clinton – Former presidential candidate (1.5M followers)
• Al Gore – Former U.S. vice president (300K followers)

Leaders in other fields like investing, sports, and entertainment also have solid LinkedIn followings in the hundreds of thousands, underscoring LinkedIn’s diverse membership.

Factors for High Follower Counts

Examining the top followed accounts on LinkedIn reveals several common factors that help drive high follower numbers:

• Leadership role at a major influential company, like Microsoft, Google, Apple, Facebook, or LinkedIn
• Being the founder of a global recognized brand like Virgin or Microsoft
• Previous position as a head of state like U.S. President
• High-profile entrepreneur with proven business success
• Bestselling author status, particularly related to business or leadership
• Prominence as a billionaire investor or businessperson
• Reputation as a pioneering philanthropist like Bill Gates

Essentially, having an influential role in business, politics, technology, or philanthropy contributes to amassing followers interested in insights from these high achievers.

Comparison Table of Top Accounts

Conclusion

In reviewing the top followed LinkedIn accounts, Microsoft emerges as the most followed with over 17 million followers. The company’s influential role in technology and business makes its account a prime destination for professionals seeking insights and connections. Following Microsoft, The Gates Foundation, Sundar Pichai, Barack Obama, Sir Richard Branson, and Bill Gates all have multi-million strong followings based on their high-profile roles and accomplishments.

While individual business executives make up the majority of the top followed, companies and organizations can also attract follower counts in the millions based on their reputation and influence. Factors like leading a top global brand, political prominence, entrepreneurial success, and thought leadership contribute to amassing an engaged LinkedIn audience.

For professionals looking to expand their reach on LinkedIn, there are lessons to be learned from analyzing these consistently high-engagement accounts. While gaining millions of followers is likely not realistic for most, focusing on building authority in your industry, sharing valuable insights consistently, and highlighting professional accomplishments can all help grow a highly engaged audience.

Key Takeaways

• Microsoft has the most followers of any LinkedIn account, with over 17 million.
• Other top followed accounts belong to high-profile business leaders, political figures, entrepreneurs, and philanthropic organizations.
• Leading at a major company, having entrepreneurial success, investing prowess and political prominence contribute to high LinkedIn engagement.
• Sharing valuable professional insights and promoting accomplishments help individuals and brands build large, devoted followings.