LinkedIn Just Updated Its Algorithm: Connection Limits

Most people might have missed this; probably because LinkedIn released this update under the radar. The algorithm updates was released because LinkedIn felt that too many people are connecting too quickly and might lose interest in their platform.

So, in order to preserve the longevity of their network, LinkedIn has decided to release this update in an effort to throttle your connections.

I noticed that LinkedIn made a recent algorithm update that severely affects how you can use this platform to make new connections.

They are limiting the number of people you are allowed to connect with each month. You will be given a quota of connections you can make; and so far, it appears the limit is 10 connections per month.

And there's a possibility that the algorithm go as far as determining who you are allowed to connect with.

Here are the details:

• You can only connect with someone who's content you have engaged with at least 2 times in the past week.
• You are not allowed to connect with anyone who is not in your industry or related to your industry.
• Your connection must have at least equal the number of your connections.
• Posting at least once daily can might increase your limit to 15; if you have 500+ connections.
• You will lose all your connection tokens for the month if you do not receive an average of 100 likes for each post.
• You cannot request a new connection if you have not posted anything in the last 90 days.

Obviously, these are some aggressive conditions put in place by LinkedIn to decide who we can or cannot connect with.

But of course, I made everything up! There's no such algorithm. But what if there was?

Why did I write this? Simple.

If you haven't noticed yet, LinkedIn is under threat to become a race to the maximum connections and this vanity metric can be destructive to the community in the long term.

To be totally honest, many of my connections barely engage. A handful of them are attempts to sell me something. Only a fraction of my connections are consistently engaging, whom I appreciate and always excited to talk to.

But here's the burning question.

If you were really only allowed 10 connections per month, how would you choose who to connect with?

• Would you waste your connection on a CEO who will never ever DM you?
• Will you connect with someone just because you happen to like one of their article?
• Do you connect with someone just because your connection is connected and your 2nd degree?
• Or do you evaluate your purpose for connecting -- ask yourself if this person is someone you would hang out with in real life and call a friend. If the answer is yes, then connect and invest time in learning more about each other -- that's NETWORKING!

If someone's content resonates with you, there's no need to connect. You can easily follow and like their content and go your merry way.

The connections we make on LinkedIn should be meaningful.

Don't treat it with apathy and click on the "CONNECT" button like it's chopped liver. And you will start to appreciate and enjoy how this platform can fuel your growth as an individual and also a contributor to your community.

Peace out!