You've set up your LinkedIn profile and connected with colleagues, hoping to build your professional network and stay updated on industry trends. But when you check your feed, you're bombarded with an endless stream of "I'm honored to announce..." posts, humblebrags about "From rock bottom to CEO in 3 weeks," and countless certification announcements for "fundamentals of sharpening a pencil" courses.

Sound familiar? You're not alone. According to a survey of 2,885 LinkedIn users, a staggering 62% confirmed that "LinkedIn fatigue" is a real phenomenon affecting their professional social media experience. This is especially concerning considering that 65% of users access LinkedIn daily, potentially exposing themselves to this digital drain regularly.

This isn't just another article about LinkedIn optimization or growing your follower count. Instead, we're taking a contrarian approach: how to cut through the noise, reduce mindless scrolling, and transform LinkedIn back into the useful professional tool it was meant to be—one that supports your career goals and digital wellness rather than depleting them.

What is LinkedIn Noise? The Sources of Your Frustration

Before we can filter out the noise, we need to identify what's creating it. Social media noise can be defined as "the overwhelming volume of content and interactions that hinders focus and engagement," according to Sprout Social.

On LinkedIn, this noise manifests in several distinct forms:

1. The Inauthenticity Epidemic: Many users complain about the forced "Professional persona" that dominates the platform. As one frustrated user put it: "Everyone is fake as they have to portray this 'Professional' persona in case a recruiter or manager is watching." This perception has led many to view LinkedIn as nothing more than a "Corporate Facebook."

2. Superficial Content & Humblebrags: The prevalence of self-promotion and what some users term "puking rainbows BS" makes it "hard to find meaningful content amidst all the noise." These posts often follow predictable patterns: the humble career milestone announcement, the manufactured struggle-to-success story, or the vague inspirational quote against a stock photo background.

3. Algorithmic Irrelevance: Many users express frustration that "My feed is all content that my network likes, comments, etc. that isn't interesting to me at all." The LinkedIn algorithm often prioritizes engagement over relevance, meaning your feed becomes cluttered with posts that your connections interacted with—whether or not they align with your interests.

4. Spam and Sales Pitches: Perhaps most irritating are the cold messages and connection requests that immediately transition into sales pitches. As one user lamented, "The ads, cold messages, fake content, etc. is destroying the users' experience."

The High Cost of Clutter: Why Digital Wellness on LinkedIn Matters

The concept of "digital wellness"—defined as "a state where subjective well-being is maintained despite digital communication overabundance" by BSW Health—is increasingly relevant as we navigate professional platforms like LinkedIn.

The psychological toll of a cluttered LinkedIn experience manifests in several ways:

1. Comparison Culture: The tendency to measure your professional journey against others' highlight reels is amplified on LinkedIn. One user admitted, "I felt like I was constantly comparing my life to others on LinkedIn." According to research cited by BSW Health, this kind of social comparison can significantly increase depression rates, particularly when the comparisons are negative.

2. Content Fatigue and Burnout: Over 50% of social media users report feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content they encounter daily, according to Sociamonials. This fatigue has led many LinkedIn power users to scale back their activity. As career expert Hannah Morgan notes, "I used to post once a day on LinkedIn. Now I post twice a week."

3. Mindless Scrolling and Opportunity Loss: Many users struggle with "mindless scrolling," which represents a significant opportunity cost. The time spent aimlessly browsing through LinkedIn could be directed toward activities with proven wellness benefits, such as spending time outdoors, which has been shown to lower depression rates according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Your Tactical Toolkit: 8 Actionable Steps to a Quieter LinkedIn

Now that we understand the sources and costs of LinkedIn noise, let's explore practical steps to declutter your experience. These strategies are adapted from LinkedIn expert Teddy Burriss's guide on reducing platform noise:

Step 1: Unfollow the Offender

The simplest way to reduce noise without burning bridges is to unfollow connections whose content doesn't resonate with you:

• Locate the More... button on a member's profile

• Select Unfollow to remove their content from your Newsfeed

• They'll remain in your network, but you'll no longer see their posts

Step 2: Remove the Connection

For more persistent cases where the connection no longer provides value:

• Use the More... button on their profile

• Select Remove connection

• This unfollows them and removes them from your network

• Note that they will be able to see that you're no longer connected when viewing your profile

Step 3: Report / Block

For truly problematic accounts or spam:

• Select Report / Block under the More... button on a member's profile

• This prevents the member from engaging with you and vice versa

• Use this option sparingly for accounts that violate LinkedIn's policies or persistently send unwanted messages

Step 4: Unfollow Companies

Companies can be major contributors to feed noise:

• Visit a Company Page

• Click the three dots (...) next to "Following"

• Select "Unfollow" to stop seeing their content

Step 5: Master Your Notifications

Take control of what LinkedIn alerts you about:

• Go to the Notifications Page

• Click "View settings" in the upper right

• Toggle off notifications that aren't relevant to your goals

• Consider turning off "Celebrations," "Job changes," or other categories that tend to generate noise

Step 6: Manage Group Content

LinkedIn Groups can be valuable but also noisy:

• Visit the Settings and Privacy Page

• Adjust settings for group notifications

• Consider leaving groups that consistently produce low-value content

Step 7: Curate Your Hashtags

Hashtags significantly influence what appears in your feed:

• Visit the Followed Hashtags page

• Review and unfollow hashtags that tend to surface irrelevant content

• Add specific, niche hashtags that align with your professional interests

Step 8: Train the Algorithm with Intentional Engagement

Your engagement patterns teach LinkedIn what to show you:

• Actively engage (like, comment, share) with content that genuinely provides value

• Ignore or click "I don't want to see this" on low-value posts

• Be selective—every interaction shapes your future feed

Beyond the Basics: Adopting Healthier Digital Habits

While the tactics above help reduce noise within LinkedIn, developing broader digital wellness habits ensures sustainable change:

Create Boundaries: Set specific times for LinkedIn use. As career coach Ashley Watkins advises, "It's okay to step away and return when you're refreshed and energized." Consider designating LinkedIn-free days (like weekends) or hours (after 6 PM).

Set Time Limits: Use your smartphone's screen time features to limit LinkedIn usage to a reasonable amount daily—perhaps 15-30 minutes. The LinkedOut Chrome extension mentioned by users on Reddit can also help by filtering out buzzwords and humblebrags while retaining core functionality.

Engage Mindfully: Before opening LinkedIn, set an intention. Are you job hunting? Researching? Learning? Networking? Having a clear purpose prevents aimless scrolling and keeps your usage productive.

Take Breaks: As digital communications specialist Wes Pearce notes, "Honestly, staying on screens isn't even natural, so it makes sense we get fatigued easily." Schedule regular digital detoxes to reset your relationship with professional social media.

From Noise to Signal: Making LinkedIn Work for You

A cluttered, noisy LinkedIn experience isn't inevitable. By implementing the tactical steps outlined above and adopting healthier digital habits, you can transform your LinkedIn from a source of frustration and "toxic positivity" into a valuable professional resource.

Remember Teddy Burriss's wise advice: "Never do, say or engage on social media in ways you don't want to be seen, heard or perceived of in life." This principle of intentionality should guide not just what you post, but what you consume.

Start today by taking one small step—perhaps unfollowing a particularly noisy connection or adjusting your notification settings. Over time, these small changes will compound, helping you filter the noise and reclaim your digital sanity on LinkedIn.

Your professional social media experience should serve your career and well-being, not detract from them. With these strategies, you can ensure LinkedIn remains a tool that works for you, rather than against you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is LinkedIn fatigue?

LinkedIn fatigue is the feeling of exhaustion and overwhelm caused by the excessive volume of inauthentic, self-promotional, or irrelevant content on the platform. It stems from the pressure to maintain a "professional persona," constant comparison with others' career highlights, and a cluttered feed, leading to digital burnout and a less valuable user experience.

How can I make my LinkedIn feed more relevant?

You can make your LinkedIn feed more relevant by actively curating it. The most effective methods include unfollowing connections or companies that post low-value content, managing the hashtags you follow to align with your specific interests, and training the algorithm by intentionally engaging (liking, commenting) with posts you find valuable while ignoring or hiding those you don't.

Why should I unfollow someone instead of removing them as a connection?

Unfollowing someone is a discreet way to stop seeing their posts in your feed without severing your professional tie. They remain in your network and are not notified that you've unfollowed them. Removing a connection breaks the link entirely, which is a better option for spam accounts or contacts you no longer wish to be associated with.

How can I use LinkedIn for job searching without getting overwhelmed?

To use LinkedIn for job searching without overwhelm, adopt a focused, task-oriented approach. Instead of mindlessly scrolling the main feed, dedicate your time to specific actions like using the "Jobs" tab to set up targeted alerts, researching companies you admire, and connecting with recruiters or hiring managers directly. Setting a daily time limit for these activities can also protect your digital well-being.

What are the best ways to manage LinkedIn notifications?

The best way to manage LinkedIn notifications is to visit your "Settings & Privacy" page and customize your alerts. You can significantly reduce noise by turning off non-essential notifications for endorsements, work anniversaries, birthdays, and other "Celebrations." This ensures you are only alerted to interactions that truly matter, like messages and comments on your posts.

How often should I review my LinkedIn connections and followed hashtags?

A good practice is to review your LinkedIn connections, followed hashtags, and company pages every few months, or whenever you feel your feed is becoming noisy again. Think of it as digital housekeeping. A quarterly review helps ensure your feed stays aligned with your evolving career goals and interests.