Some LinkedIn users may have noticed that certain profiles on the platform include the word “Follow” underneath the person’s name and profile photo. This is different from the standard “Connect” button and indicates that the profile owner has enabled the LinkedIn “Follow” feature.
The Follow feature allows any LinkedIn user to subscribe to another user’s profile updates without needing to directly connect with them on the platform. When you follow someone, you’ll see their new posts in your LinkedIn feed. However, following does not establish a mutual connection and does not allow you to directly message or interact with the person you are following.
There are a few key reasons why some LinkedIn users enable the Follow option on their profiles:
Thought Leadership
Many thought leaders, executives, influencers, and public figures use the Follow feature to allow anyone to subscribe to their content. This helps expand their reach and visibility to new audiences who may be interested in their insights. Rather than limiting their updates to direct connections, the Follow option helps them share ideas openly with the broader LinkedIn community.
Business Promotion
Enabling Follow can help businesses and organizations promote their brands to new audiences. Rather than requiring a mutual connection, any LinkedIn user can follow a company profile to receive their updates in their feed. This makes it easier for brands to distribute content, announcements, and campaigns through LinkedIn without needing existing relationships.
Personal Branding
Professionals looking to boost their personal brand and establish themselves as industry experts may enable the Follow feature. This allows anyone interested to subscribe to their posts and commentary. It provides wider visibility for individuals aiming to build their reputation and influence.
Benefits of the LinkedIn Follow Feature
There are several potential benefits to enabling the Follow option on a LinkedIn profile:
Wider Reach for Posts
As mentioned, the Follow feature provides access to a bigger audience for your content. Rather than only reaching your direct connections, anyone on LinkedIn can subscribe to your updates. This provides more visibility for your posts and messages.
Passive Relationship Building
Following someone allows you to absorb their content and insights without needing to formally connect. Over time, this can facilitate relationship building with influential figures and potential partners. It creates familiarity and trust passively through their content.
Staying on Top of Industry News
Following key voices and companies in your industry is an easy way to stay on top of the latest trends, news, and happenings. Their updates will appear in your LinkedIn feed to provide insider knowledge.
Discovering New Connections
The Follow feature lets you discover professionals, brands, and organizations you may want to connect with officially down the road. By sampling their content over time, you can evaluate whether you’d like to eventually reach out and connect.
Best Practices for Using the Follow Feature
Here are some top tips to use the LinkedIn Follow option effectively:
Be Selective
Don’t go overboard following thousands of profiles. Carefully curate a list of a few dozen key voices who consistently provide value through their posts. Avoid following someone simply because they have a large network or social media presence. Focus on true thought leaders.
Actually Consume the Content
Don’t just follow someone and never look at their updates. Be sure to check your LinkedIn feed regularly and interact with posts from accounts you follow. Like, share, and comment on their content. This shows your interest and feeds their algorithms.
Assess Value Over Time
Periodically review the accounts you are following on LinkedIn. Make sure they are still providing useful, relevant information. Unfollow accounts that are no longer aligned with your interests or professional focus.
Use Lists
Organize the accounts you follow into LinkedIn Lists based on topics, industries, geographic regions, etc. This makes their content more discoverable and manageable in your newsfeed.
Follow Back Selectively
You don’t need to follow back everyone who follows you. Be thoughtful in considering who you give access to your profile. Seek mutual value in the accounts you follow in return.
How to Enable the Follow Feature
As a LinkedIn user, enabling the Follow feature on your own profile is easy:
Via Desktop
On the LinkedIn website, go to your profile page and click “Edit public profile & URL” on the right rail. Then click “Edit contact info” on the left sidebar. Under the “Contact Info” section, check the box to “Allow viewers of this profile to follow you”.
Via Mobile App
In the LinkedIn app, tap your profile photo at the top of the screen. Tap “View profile”. Scroll down and tap “Edit public profile & URL”. Toggle on the setting: “Allow viewers of this profile to follow you”.
Once enabled, the Follow button will appear on your public profile underneath your name. Other users can simply click this to receive your updates going forward.
You can disable Follow at any time by toggling this setting off again. Your existing followers will no longer receive notifications when you post.
Following Etiquette
When using the LinkedIn Follow feature, keep these etiquette tips in mind:
Don’t Spam
Avoid following and unfollowing people excessively just to draw attention. This comes across as spammy behavior.
Don’t Overpost
If you have enabled Follow, avoid flooding your followers’ feeds with too many posts or irrelevant content. Post thoughtfully.
Personalize Requests
If requesting to follow someone directly, customize your ask rather than sending generic invites. Explain why you are interested in their content specifically.
Show Appreciation
Thank people sincerely when they approve your request to follow them. Also thank followers for their readership when appropriate.
Don’t Misrepresent Yourself
Use an honest profile photo and background. Don’t attempt to follow under false pretenses. Keep your identity and intentions clear.
Key Takeaways
Here are the key points to understand about LinkedIn’s Follow feature:
- The Follow option allows anyone to subscribe to your profile updates.
- It expands your reach since followers don’t need to connect directly.
- Thought leaders often enable Follow to share ideas publicly.
- Following others helps you discover content and build relationships.
- Curate a selective list of profiles that provide ongoing value.
- You can enable Follow in your profile settings by toggling on the feature.
Conclusion
LinkedIn’s Follow feature provides a lightweight option to stay connected with industry influencers, brands, potential business partners, and talented professionals. It removes the need for mutual connections.
By carefully curating a diverse list of profiles to follow, you can widen your professional network and ensure you never miss key updates. At the same time, enabling Follow on your own profile allows you to organically distribute content to new audiences.
Used strategically, following and being followed on LinkedIn can become a valuable asset for building thought leadership, personal branding, and business exposure. Just be sure to exercise good etiquette and judgment when leveraging this tool.