Lately, the vibe on LinkedIn has been…a bit off. Feels a little doom and gloom, right? Even for someone like me, who’s been riding the LinkedIn rollercoaster for a decade, I’ve found myself logging on less.
But rather than sit in that energy, I’ve decided to do something about it. It’s time for a vibe shift. And you and I? We’re going to be the catalyst for it.
First up, let’s get one thing straight: the LinkedIn algorithm isn’t out to get you. It’s not the villain in your B2B story. In fact, when you understand how it actually works, it can become your trusted sidekick and work for you.
This article is inspired by the recent episode of the Social Media for B2B Growth Podcast hosted by Michelle J Raymond, which discusses this topic in more detail.
Old Algorithm vs New Algorithm: Street Directory to GPS
If you’re a Gen X like me (or older), you’ll remember the old days of road maps. Sitting in the car, tracing the route with your finger, committing it to memory and hoping you didn’t miss your turn.
That was the old LinkedIn algorithm: static, predictable, updated infrequently, and relatively speaking not very personalised.
Now? It’s like having a GPS. You tell it where you want to go, and it constantly recalculates based on your every move. Miss a turn? It redirects. Traffic ahead? It adjusts. Want to avoid tolls? Done.
That’s how the new LinkedIn algorithm behaves. It adapts in real-time to your actions (or inactions) on the platform.
Yes, the technology under the hood has changed dramatically, but that’s not bad news. It’s your opportunity to take back control and train it to work for you.
Acknowledgement to Christopher Penn for putting together this research, which had some interesting insights and further confirmed for me that my G.R.O.W.T.H Masterclass is really aligned with these best practices.
Passive vs Proactive: Which One Are You?
Here’s the big difference between struggling on LinkedIn and thriving on it: It all comes down to whether you’re passive or proactive.
A passive user’s day looks like this:
- Log in
- Scroll for a bit
- Check notifications
- Log out
You’re not giving the algorithm much to work with.
But a proactive user, someone who’s intentionally shaping their LinkedIn experience, does a lot more:
- Leaves thoughtful comments
- Updates their profile
- Connects with the right people
- Saves or reposts content
- Searches strategically
- DMs with purpose
- Creates content for their community
- Unfollows content they don’t want to see
The more proactive you are, the better the algorithm can amplify your visibility and connect you with the right people.
Instead of thinking, “The algorithm hates me,” start saying, “I’m teaching the algorithm how to work for me.” Michelle J Raymond
Give the Algorithm Better Data
If you want LinkedIn to work for you, feed it better data.
Here’s where to start on your LinkedIn Profile:
✅ Headline and Tagline: time for a refresh and add clarity.
✅ Featured Section:Does it reflect where you are at now?
✅ About Section: Focus most of your efforts here.
✅ Work Experience: Add detail.
✅ Skills: Aim for 50. They’re mini keywords that strengthen your profile.
Company Page admins, this is a reminder that your Pages also need updates. Ensure that your tagline, About section, and featured posts are up-to-date and accurate.
When you refresh these sections, you’re sending new signals that help the algorithm match you with your ideal audience.
Teach the LinkedIn Algorithm Who You Are
When you post, consistency matters. The LinkedIn algorithm is smart, but it’s not psychic. If you’re posting about leadership one day, dog memes the next, and random rants in between, it doesn’t know what to do with you.
Your content should:
- Speak directly to your target audience
- Reflect your unique opinions and perspective
- Show a mix of professional insight and human warmth
And if you’re unsure where to start? That’s exactly what I teach in my B2B G.R.O.W.T.H Masterclass: the habits and strategies that build consistency, connection, and conversion.
Keep Feeding the Beast
Training the algorithm isn’t a one-and-done event; it’s an ongoing partnership. Just like your GPS, LinkedIn only gives great directions if you keep feeding it new data.
That’s why staying consistent matters more than ever. So make this part of your regular routine:
- Refresh your profile every few months
- Keep posting for your audience
- Comment daily
- Build your community strategically
- Adjust your strategy as your business grows
The more consistent you are, the more effectively LinkedIn can support you.
Final Thoughts
Just remember, there is far more to LinkedIn than worrying about the LinkedIn algorithm. It is one piece of the puzzle and certainly doesn’t constitute a strategy that will grow your business.
Taking proactive steps to get the most out of your time and effort on the platform just makes sense.
Time to take back control and keep smiling 😀
If you need help figuring out what this might look like for you or updating your LinkedIn profile, book a time with me. It doesn’t have to be hard!
Want to work with me? Book a time here – https://calendly.com/michelle-j-raymond/book-an-intro-call-15mins
Cheers
Michelle J Raymond is the Founder of B2B Growth Co and has made her mark as the world’s leading authority on LinkedIn Company Pages, offering comprehensive strategies and training to brands eager to harness LinkedIn for business growth through thought leadership, content marketing or social selling techniques.
With 20+ years’ experience in B2B sales, and almost a decade of social selling on LinkedIn, Michelle stands out for her significant LinkedIn contributions as the co-author of two globally acclaimed books: “Business Gold,” the first book exclusively dedicated to LinkedIn Company Pages, and “The LinkedIn Branding Book,” and her insightful podcast Social Media for B2B Growth. Follow her YouTube channel @MichelleJRaymond for helpful how to’s.
