LinkedIn algorithm

The LinkedIn algorithm decides distribution in stages. When a post is published, it goes first to a small sample of the writer's network. Their engagement (or lack of it) determines whether the post is shown to a larger audience. The signals weighed heaviest are early engagement rate (likes, comments, shares within the first hour), dwell time (how long viewers paused on the post), and network relevance (whether engaging users are connected to the writer's broader graph). High signals trigger wider distribution beyond the immediate network. Low signals end the post's reach quickly. Posts written for genuine substance tend to perform better because the metrics that matter (dwell, comments) are hard to game with engagement bait.

Examples

• A post with strong dwell time and 5 substantive comments in the first hour gets distributed widely.
• A post with 50 quick likes from outside the writer's industry plateaus fast despite the like count.

Frequently asked questions

Does LinkedIn punish external links?

External links typically depress reach because the algorithm prefers users staying on-platform. Many accounts move external links to the first comment or omit them entirely from the main post.

How quickly does the algorithm decide reach?

The first hour is the critical window. Posts that earn strong early signals continue distributing for 24-72 hours. Posts that fail early rarely recover.