A lot of people shoot themselves in the foot when they share content on LinkedIn. The LinkedIn algorithm may feel like a black box, but there are obvious things it punishes and rewards: 🔴 Severe punishment (hamstrings engagement by >50%) - Making your post a reshare of another post - Sharing external links (particularly with a preview) 🟠 Moderate punishment (hamstrings engagement by 20 - 40%) - Editing your post within 30 minutes of posting - Being the first to comment on your own post - Tagging a wall of people (particularly if they don't engage) 🟡 Light punishment (hamstrings engagement by 10%) - Posting within 18 hours of a previous post - Posts longer than 1600 characters 🟢 Big reward (boosts engagement by >100%) - Leading with a great hook that makes people click ‘see more’ - Optimising for engagement in the first 90 minutes (e.g. you can share your post with a group of friends and ask them to engage) - A great, easy-to-action CTA that attracts comments / discussion - Replying to at least three comments in the first 90 minutes 🟣 Moderate reward (boosts engagement by ~50%) - Optimising time of day (8am in your target geography works well) - Optimising format (plain text posts > text posts with a random image) - Optimising readability (short paragraphs, clear headings) Of course, optimising for the algorithm is no substitute for having something meaningful to say! But don't the algorithm get in the way of getting the engagement you deserve. Got other tips? Would love to hear them in comments! And please tag someone who might benefit from this guide 😊 #personalbranding #digitalmarketing #linkedin
How does posting on LinkedIn then make any sense for creators who want to redirect people to a video or podcast on their YouTube channel, or an external website or newsletter for example, especially if doing so hampers engagement by 50%? If this is true, then does that mean personal branding on LinkedIn is a hoax for some??
Great writeup and have noticed a lot of similar patterns Would add that images of actual people always seem to slap, people love people R.e. tagging people, ideally keep it to 5 max and only tag people who you think would likely respond Interesting around first comment on your own post, not sure I’ve noticed that if you want to share something outside of LinkedIn, link in comment still smashes direct external link posts
Hey Jessy, thanks for this - really insightful. Is the data from an ‘inside view of the tent’ or experienced from your (and portfolios) experimentation?
So...the idea is if you want to share a link, you have to put it in the comments, but not right away (when it's most useful), but after someone else has commented? If I got that right - how odd!
Great post but genuinely curious where you got the stats and information?
Love it! Just curious - what is the data source for these stats and tactics? Is it on LinkedIn knowledge based or more common sense based on experience.
I'm surprised nobody says anything about a "big reward" for being in an engagement pod. Seems questionable. Does that mean you are in one since it's based on your own a/b testing, Jessy Wu?
LinkedIn algo is a black box. Where did you get all these “facts”? How were the validated?
This is mega helpful Jessy Wu thank you! Do you have any advice for companies (rather than individals) sharing more longform content on here? Like, would you just never link to a company website?
Learning Design Specialist and Agritech Innovator
5moThis is useful to know but just crazy. I love love love it when people share outside articles. Its my main reason for loving LinkedIn.Why would you penalise that?