How To Make the Most of LinkedIn’s Latest Algorithm Changes

With all the drama happening on social media right now (Twitter's dumpster fire, anyone?!) LinkedIn's latest algorithm changes might have slipped under your radar — but if you're active on the platform (and if you're reading this, you probably are) then the latest updates are a must-read.

I recently spent some time digging into them and have put together a short read to help you stay up-to-speed and keep creating content on the platform that works for you:

1.The Importance of Meaningful Conversations

LinkedIn's algorithm now places an even higher emphasis on creating opportunities for users to have meaningful conversations. This means decreasing "salesy" posts and focusing on updates that are personal, provide some food for thought, or otherwise give people a reason to comment.

Important: LinkedIn's algorithm actively throttles posts that use language like "comment below!" since it can come across as spammy and low-value, so make sure to find more creative ways of starting conversations than just asking for them.

2. Dwell Time and Content Quality

"Dwell time" is the amount of time someone spends engaging with a post.

In the eyes of the algorithm, longer dwell times = higher-value content.

To increase dwell time, focus on things like:

• Listicles
• How-to's
• Personal stories and anecdotes
• Opinions that lead to discussion

Aka, don't present your most buttoned-up, businesslike self. Be a real human with thoughts, feelings, and perspectives to share!

3. Relevance and Personalization

Over the last few updates, LinkedIn has really honed in on making people's feeds more personal, and highlighting content from people they follow. This is especially true of the following groups:

• People whose posts you've interacted with recently
• People who've interacted with your posts recently
• People who are "1st" connections

With this in mind, if you want someone specific (like a sales prospect or an HR manager at a company you want to work for, for example) to see your post, make sure you're engaging with their content, too.

4. Building Connections and Engagement

I know that some people loathe getting LinkedIn connection requests, but with the latest algorithm update, actively building your network and engaging with your connections is more important than ever.

The algorithm prioritizes posts that get lots of engagement early on, which can create a snowball effect and help your posts be seen by the maximum amount of people possible.

It's also important to engage with other users' content by leaving thoughtful comments, replying to other users' comments, and @ mentioning people whose replies you agree with to foster deeper conversations.

5. Consistency and Frequency

This should come as no surprise, but consistency on the platform plays well in the eyes of the algorithm.

If you can't post every single day (I get it, you have a life) then try to carve out some time every few days to see what your contacts are saying and share what you're up to, or your perspective on something happening in your industry.

As always: quality trumps quantity, but regularly posting content that's relevant to your connections and followers is the best way to help your content show up on users' timelines.

Start Working the Algorithm!

As with all social platforms, staying up-to-date with how the platform considers different types of posts, content, and engagement is key to fostering meaningful connections and getting the most out of the platform.

Personally, I stay up-to-date by putting together Starling Social 's weekly newsletter! I love writing them because I get to stay on top of all the latest trends in my industry, and I get to collect a roundup of the most useful news articles and strategies and share them with you, too! If you want to subscribe to next Tuesday's send, you can do that here.