Every few months, someone publishes a LinkedIn algorithm "hack" that spreads like wildfire. Post at exactly 8:07 AM. Use exactly three hashtags. Start every post with a one-word hook.
Most of it is noise. The algorithm changes frequently, but the fundamentals stay the same. Here's what actually matters in 2026.
The algorithm's one goal
LinkedIn's algorithm exists to do one thing: keep people on the platform. That means it promotes content that generates meaningful engagement — comments, shares, and time spent reading.
Everything else flows from this. If your content gets people to stop scrolling and engage, the algorithm will show it to more people. If it doesn't, it won't.
What the algorithm rewards
Dwell time
This is the most important and least talked about metric. Dwell time measures how long someone spends looking at your post. A post that people read carefully for 30 seconds beats a post they scroll past in 2 seconds, even if both get the same number of likes.
What this means for you: write posts that are worth reading. Share genuine insights, tell stories, include specific details. Give people a reason to slow down.
Early engagement
The first hour after you post is critical. LinkedIn shows your content to a small sample of your network first. If that sample engages, the algorithm expands distribution. If they don't, your post dies.
This doesn't mean you need to game the timing. It means you need to write content that your immediate network finds valuable. Your first-degree connections are your first audience — write for them.
Comments over likes
A like takes a fraction of a second. A comment takes thought and effort. The algorithm values comments significantly more than likes because they signal deeper engagement.
The best way to get comments? Ask genuine questions. Share a perspective that invites disagreement. Tell a story that prompts people to share their own experience.
Authenticity signals
LinkedIn has gotten much better at detecting engagement bait and generic content. "Agree?" at the end of every post used to work. It doesn't anymore.
The posts that perform best now are the ones that feel like they were written by a specific person with a specific perspective. Not templates. Not formulas. Real thoughts from real people.
What the algorithm penalizes
External links
Posts with links to external sites consistently get less reach. LinkedIn wants to keep people on the platform, so it deprioritizes content that sends them elsewhere.
If you need to share a link, put it in the comments or in a follow-up post. Better yet, share the key insight from the article directly in your post.
Engagement pods
Organized groups of people who like and comment on each other's posts used to boost reach. LinkedIn has cracked down hard on this. Engagement from pods now often hurts rather than helps, because the algorithm can detect inauthentic engagement patterns.
Posting too frequently
More isn't always better. If you post three times a day and none of it gets engagement, the algorithm will start showing your content to fewer people. It's better to post less frequently with higher quality than to flood people's feeds.
The format debate
Should you write text posts? Carousels? Videos? Polls?
The honest answer: it depends on your audience and what you're saying. Each format has its place:
- Text posts work best for stories, insights, and opinions
- Carousels work well for educational content and frameworks
- Images boost engagement when they add context (not just stock photos)
- Video works when you have something visual to show
The format matters less than the content. A compelling story told in plain text will outperform a mediocre carousel every time.
The real strategy
Stop thinking about the algorithm and start thinking about your audience. Who are they? What do they struggle with? What would they find genuinely useful?
Write content that helps people or makes them think. Share experiences that others can learn from. Be specific, be honest, and be consistent.
The algorithm will catch up.
A practical posting rhythm
For most professionals, five to six posts per month is the sweet spot. That's roughly one to two posts per week — enough to stay visible without burning out.
Each month, aim for a mix:
- Two to three insight or opinion posts
- One to two story-driven posts
- One educational or how-to post
Don't overthink it. The best post is the one you actually publish.