LinkedIn Algorithm 2025: What Actually Works

The Dwell Time Revolution

LinkedIn's algorithm now prioritizes "dwell time" more than ever. This measures how long users spend reading your post before scrolling away. Posts that keep users engaged for 30+ seconds are getting 3-5x more reach than those with quick scroll-pasts.

• Hook readers in the first line with a bold statement or question
• Use line breaks and white space to make content scannable
• Include surprising statistics or counterintuitive insights
• End with a thought-provoking question to encourage comments

The Comment Quality Factor

Not all comments are created equal. The algorithm now analyzes comment quality and depth. A single thoughtful 3-sentence comment is worth more than ten "Great post!" responses.

"We saw a 240% increase in reach when we started responding to every comment with substantive replies that sparked further discussion. The algorithm rewards conversations, not just reactions."

Native Content Wins Big

LinkedIn is aggressively promoting native content over external links. Posts with outbound links are seeing 60% less reach compared to native posts. The platform wants to keep users on LinkedIn, not send them away.

• Share insights directly in your post instead of linking to blog articles
• Use LinkedIn's document feature to share PDFs and presentations
• Post carousel images with text overlays instead of linking to external resources
• Save external links for the first comment after posting

The First Hour Is Critical

The algorithm makes a decision about your post's potential within the first 60 minutes. If it gets strong engagement from your immediate network, it gets pushed to a wider audience. If it flops early, it rarely recovers.

• Post when your audience is most active (check your analytics)
• Notify key connections when you publish important content
• Respond to early comments immediately to boost engagement signals
• Consider using LinkedIn's scheduling feature to hit optimal times

Video Content Gets Priority

Native video posts are receiving 2-3x more impressions than text or image posts. LinkedIn is pushing hard to compete with other video platforms, and they're rewarding creators who embrace video.

• Keep videos under 90 seconds for maximum completion rates
• Add captions - 85% of LinkedIn videos are watched without sound
• Start with a visual hook in the first 3 seconds
• Use vertical or square formats optimized for mobile viewing

Personal Profiles Outperform Company Pages

Content from personal profiles gets 8x more engagement than identical content posted from company pages. The algorithm favors authentic, human voices over corporate messaging.

"Our CEO's personal posts reach 50,000+ people regularly, while our company page struggles to hit 5,000 with the same content. The algorithm clearly prefers people over brands."