David Bridges
LinkedIn has recently provided valuable insights about the type of content you should share on its platform, along with the specific content formats that may face restrictions from its feed algorithm. These recommendations are designed to help users enhance their content’s visibility and effectiveness within the LinkedIn ecosystem.
While the posting guidelines may seem somewhat predictable, they reaffirm the basics of effective engagement: prioritize sharing unique insights and authentic viewpoints while avoiding spammy content and engagement traps.
One notable error is the misspelling of “streer,” yet the core advice remains clear and straightforward: Aim to share original thoughts and insights while steering clear of content that resembles spam or engagement baiting tactics.
LinkedIn’s guidelines on what to avoid posting are particularly enlightening, especially since they are informed by the platform’s algorithmic approach to content moderation. This can help users understand the consequences of their posting habits and how to steer clear of penalties.
A key takeaway from LinkedIn’s advice stands out:
“Refrain from posts that create negativity and discourage<em> </em>engagement – While members value diverse opinions and perspectives that encourage healthy debates, it’s important to keep the conversations professional and civil. Content that fosters dismissive, derisive, and unconstructive conversations damage relationships, stifle dialogue and makes it harder for our members to have meaningful discussions.”
In particular, LinkedIn identifies three categories of negative content that users should avoid:
- Dismissive: content that shuts down or dismisses others’ opinions, experiences, or identities, making them feel like their perspective doesn’t matter.
- <em><span><span>Derisive: </span></span></em> content that mocks or makes fun of people or groups, often using sarcasm or talking down to others.
- Unconstructive: content that disrupts conversations, like shouting, using swear words, provoking arguments, or exaggerating to create fear or upset others. Humor is welcome, but avoid jokes at others’ expense, corporate memes, viral videos, or mocking.
This guidance is akin to a comprehensive manual on how to thrive on LinkedIn. Essentially, the platform is advising users to prioritize respect and professionalism, as its algorithm is designed to penalize negative interactions.
How does LinkedIn identify posts that contravene these standards? It could be through a mix of negative keywords, such as inappropriate language, and analyzing the nature of comments and engagement. According to LinkedIn, content that doesn’t align with its guidelines “may not get shared beyond your connections and followers.”
Additional content types to avoid on LinkedIn include:
- Material solely focused on promoting or selling products, services, or events without also providing valuable insights, news, or advice.
- Irrelevant or off-topic comments on other posts, including those made just for the sake of promoting unrelated products, services, or links (including engagement pods) are also discouraged.
- Images with text intended for humor or commentary on culture or world events without offering added professional context or value.
- Requests for likes, shares, comments, or follows explicitly stated in content.
- Copying and reposting someone else’s content without permission.
- Adult content (LinkedIn advises avoiding all content that includes non-sexual nudity, while sexual nudity is strictly prohibited).
- Content or actions that may be sensitive or unsettling, such as images depicting injuries and death (including of animals).
Most of these guidelines align with standard practices across social media platforms; however, the emphasis on sharing content “without added professional value” is particularly noteworthy.
LinkedIn has been actively working to minimize the prevalence of overly personal posts that lack professional relevance. This shift became evident during the pandemic, when many users began sharing more personal insights, leading to increased engagement but also transforming LinkedIn’s identity into something resembling Facebook.
In response, LinkedIn updated its algorithm last year to prioritize professional expertise and insights in posts. The platform encourages sharing valuable business knowledge over mundane personal updates, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a professional focus.
These guidelines provide essential insights that, combined with LinkedIn’s ongoing efforts to promote professional content, can significantly enhance your LinkedIn strategy and effectiveness in 2025.
Additionally, incorporating videos into your posts is highly beneficial. LinkedIn recently reported that “immersive video views” have increased 6x quarter-over-quarter, while total video viewership in the app is up 36% year-over-year.
In summary, these strategies could significantly enhance your LinkedIn performance and overall engagement on the platform.
Ivy Caldwell
