If you have an online business or interact with professionals in any way, having a LinkedIn strategy is essential. With over 700 million active users per month, LinkedIn has become the go-to platform for professional content. In this article, we'll explore how LinkedIn's algorithm works and provide key tips to boost your visibility on this social network.
1. Understanding LinkedIn's Algorithm
To ensure your posts reach a wide audience, it's crucial to understand how LinkedIn's algorithm evaluates and distributes content. Each time you publish, LinkedIn analyzes your post in several steps to determine its relevance and quality.
2. Avoiding the Spam Filter
The first hurdle is passing LinkedIn's spam filter. To prevent your post from being flagged as spam:
- Avoid including multiple links in your post.
- Don't tag more than five people.
- Pay attention to your spelling and grammar to appear professional.
- Don't use banned hashtags like #comment, #follow, or #like.
3. Maximizing Initial Interactions
Once you've passed the spam filter, LinkedIn shows your post to a small segment of your network to gauge engagement. To maximize interactions:
- Use videos: Videos capture attention and increase the time users spend on your post. Remember to add subtitles, as videos play without sound by default.
- Create carousels or slides: They encourage users to interact by scrolling through your content.
- Write long, well-structured texts: Rich content encourages readers to spend more time on your post.
4. Encouraging Engagement
To increase your post's visibility, fostering engagement is key:
- Ask questions: Encourage your audience to comment by seeking their opinions.
- Tag people likely to respond: Ensure those you tag will interact with your post.
- Avoid outbound links: LinkedIn favors native content. If you need to include an external link, place it in the first comment.
5. Posting at the Right Time
Timing is essential to maximize initial engagement:
- Post when your audience is online: Aim for time slots between 8 AM and 10 AM.
- Engage with other posts: Commenting on and liking other posts increases your visibility within your network.
6. Understanding the Visibility Loop
The more interactions your post generates, the more LinkedIn will display it to a broader audience. To amplify this visibility loop:
- Respond to comments: Each reply encourages further engagement.
- Be active in the first few hours: The algorithm quickly assesses your post's relevance.
7. Types of Content That Work
Diversify your content to maintain your audience's interest:
- Texts with a strong hook: The first few lines should pique curiosity to encourage clicks on "see more."
- Videos with subtitles: Subtitled videos retain attention even without sound.
- Carousels and slides: They boost interaction through scrolling.
Inspiring Accounts to Follow:
- Grégoire Gambatto: For engaging and informative posts.
- Dimitri Baeli: For high-quality videos with subtitles.
- Ruben Taieb and Benoît Dubos: For impactful slides.
8. Best Practices and Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't spam your network: Avoid posting more than once every 24 hours.
- Build a relevant community: Your audience should be interested in your content to foster engagement.
- Watch out for negative feedback: If users indicate they're not interested in your posts, it can reduce your visibility.
Conclusion
LinkedIn offers a unique opportunity to enhance your professional visibility. With only 1% of users posting regularly, you have a real chance to stand out. By understanding the algorithm and applying these tips, you can optimize your posts, reach a wider audience, and strengthen your presence on this essential social network.
Feel free to share your experiences and ask questions in the comments. Start optimizing your posts today and see the difference!