9 Insights from LinkedIn algorithm updates 2024 for Creators

Just got my hands on the "Algorithm Insights 2024" report and I do have some juicy insights to share with you all. Let's dive in.

LinkedIn’s algorithm underwent significant changes in September 2023, drastically affecting reach and engagement. These updates, part of an ongoing trend over the last three years, aim to accommodate new features like AI-powered tools and adjust to user behaviours.

The visibility of content from top creators has increased, but general creators have seen a decline in reach. The key is to adapt to these changes by understanding what content types and strategies work best under the new algorithm.

1. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

Text + Image Posts: These continue to be the most effective format, representing 48% of all posts. The ideal text length is between 900 to 1,200 characters, and adding genuine, personalized images can boost engagement by up to 45%.

Carousel Posts: Once highly effective, these posts have seen a decline in reach by 45% since mid-2023. However, they still offer 1.6 times more reach than text + image posts if done correctly. The ideal number of slides is around 12, with each slide containing 25-50 words.

Video Content: Videos now perform better in terms of engagement, especially if they are between 1 and 2 minutes long. Use vertical formats and include a compelling thumbnail to boost reach. Native LinkedIn uploads are crucial—avoid YouTube links as they reduce reach by 50%.

Polls: While only 1.2% of posts, polls have a high engagement rate, especially with three answer choices and a duration of one week. They can be particularly effective on Company Pages.

2. 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀

First Hour is Critical: The first 60 minutes after posting are crucial for setting the momentum of your content. Rapidly responding to comments and interactions can significantly boost your post’s visibility.

Post Timing: Optimal posting times vary based on content type. For example, text + image posts perform best in the early morning (8:00 - 10:30 AM), while videos do well around 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

Consistency: Posting regularly, 3-4 times a week, is better than sporadic bursts. Consistency helps the algorithm serve your content more reliably.

3. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀

Creator Mode: Activating Creator Mode shifts your profile towards follower growth rather than connections. It enhances content discovery and gives you access to tools like LinkedIn Live, Newsletters, and detailed analytics.

Effect on Visibility: Creator Mode prioritizes content visibility to your followers over connections, making it crucial to build and engage with a follower base actively.

LinkedIn Live: This feature has seen a surge in engagement, with live videos attracting 12 times more interaction than regular video posts. Keep live sessions around 25 minutes for optimal engagement.

5. 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝗵𝘁𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀

Hashtags: The role of hashtags has diminished slightly but remains important for content discovery. Use 3-5 relevant hashtags to enhance visibility, but avoid overusing them, as it can trigger spam alerts.

External Links: Including links in your posts can decrease reach by up to 50%. To mitigate this, consider adding the link in the comments or editing the post after publishing.

6. 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀

Tagging: Tagging up to four relevant profiles can increase reach by 48%. However, avoid over-tagging, as tagging more than eight profiles can trigger penalties.

Post-Nurturing: Continue engaging with your post for up to 48 hours by replying to comments, reposting with thoughts, and engaging with your network to extend the post's lifespan.

7. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆

Storytelling: Text-only posts are effective for storytelling, especially when kept between 1,800 to 2,100 characters. They work well for external calls to action, such as event sign-ups or downloads.

Educational Content: Use document posts or carousels for educational content. Keep slides concise, and ensure they are optimized for mobile viewing.

8. 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀

Video Length: The most engaging videos are 1-2 minutes long. Videos longer than 3 minutes tend to see a drop in engagement.

Subtitles and Thumbnails: Subtitles cater to the 35% of users who watch videos without sound, and a strong thumbnail boosts brand recognition.

9. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘀

Structure: Offer three answer choices and set the poll duration to one week. This format encourages higher participation and better engagement.

Contextual Engagement: Always provide context and explain the purpose of your poll to boost engagement.

10. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Avoid Over-Promotional Content: Posts that are too promotional can see up to a 75% decrease in performance. Focus on storytelling, educational content, and genuine engagement.

Reposting and Engagement: Reposting content on the second day can increase engagement by 20%. Engage actively with comments and other posts to maintain your visibility.

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What's your top LinkedIn strategy for 2024? Drop it in the comments below!

If you find this helpful, share it. Let's all grow together! 🌱

PS: I fed the report into AI and after a couple of iterations, generated this short summary. So pls don't bash me by saying this is AI generated.. Let's make use of AI where we have to.. xD

#LinkedInTips #ContentStrategy #AlgorithmInsights2024