3 Ideas to improve Linkedin

After a decade of using LinkedIn as a professional social media tool and investing approximately €9,500 in its services, I’ve decided to share some thoughts and suggestions that could significantly enhance the user experience. LinkedIn has been instrumental in connecting professionals, creating opportunities, and sharing knowledge, but there are areas where it could improve to unlock even more potential. Here are my three specific ideas:

1. Protecting the authenticity of content creators

One of the most common issues on LinkedIn is the misuse of original content. It’s not unusual to see posts or documents shared by others without giving proper credit to the original creator. This not only discourages creators but also undermines the authenticity of the platform; To create a proper content can take from 1hour to weeks, depending the topic and the format, but repost is just a second and that can turn a bit unfair.

A potential solution would be to implement a system that automatically credits the original author whenever their content is reshared. For instance, every repost could include a mandatory tag like: “Original source by creator’s name.” For shared documents (like PDFs or presentations), #blockchain technology could be used to track ownership and ensure that the original creator is always acknowledged.

This approach would promote respect for intellectual work while fostering transparency and trust within the community.

2. A more tailored subscription model: the “seller profile”

The current LinkedIn Premium model doesn’t always meet the specific needs of all users. One idea is to introduce a new type of membership called the “seller profile.” This profile would allow users to send cold introductions (unsolicited messages) to others but with certain limitations to prevent excessive spam.( yes, kind of sales navigator but continue reading)

Additionally, Premium users could have the option to configure their accounts so they’re not accessible to “seller profiles,” giving them greater control over their experience. On the other hand, users who want to enjoy Premium benefits for free (such as advanced analytics or access to courses) could opt for a free Premium membership with the condition that they’d remain open to receiving messages from seller profiles.

This model would benefit both sides: sellers would gain access to relevant contacts without abusing the system, while Premium users could customize their experience and reduce unwanted messages.

The idea is to put an end to the overwhelming number of cold introductions. In the era of AI and tools like Galaxy or Dripify, messages are often fully automated and lack meaning, especially when sellers fail to use their “variables” properly.

3. Building a more impactful community

LinkedIn holds immense intellectual value thanks to the knowledge shared by millions of professionals. However, much of this potential goes untapped because there isn’t a clear way to channel it into collaborative projects or impactful initiatives.

One idea would be to create a LinkedIn Community Lab, a dedicated space on the platform where users can work together on shared projects, such as research, social initiatives, or startups. This lab could include tools for project management and help connect people with complementary skills. The projects can be either profitable or non-profitable; it doesn’t matter. What’s important is that the people involved will work and develop within the LinkedIn platform.

Another option would be introducing LinkedIn Awards, where top content creators are publicly recognized in different categories (leadership, innovation, education, etc.). This would encourage users to produce valuable and authentic content while strengthening the sense of community.

LinkedIn is a powerful tool that has revolutionized how we connect professionally. However, after 10 years as an active user and investor in its services, I firmly believe that these three idea, 1. protecting content authenticity, 2. better segmenting memberships, and 3. fostering collaboration, could take the platform to the next level.

The question now is: is LinkedIn ready to listen to its most regular users?

Leave me your comments and additional proposals; maybe we can be heard.