You've crafted what you thought was the perfect LinkedIn post—sharing valuable insights from your industry with a thoughtful question at the end—but hours later, you're staring at disappointingly low engagement numbers. Despite having thousands of connections, your content seems to disappear into the void, with only a handful of your closest colleagues interacting with it.

Meanwhile, others in your network consistently get hundreds of likes and comments on seemingly basic posts. What gives?

How LinkedIn's Algorithm Actually Works

LinkedIn's algorithm isn't simply a mysterious black box—it follows specific patterns that, once understood, can dramatically improve your visibility with decision-makers.

The platform's algorithm works through a multi-stage process:

1. Initial Content Screening: When you publish content, LinkedIn first evaluates it for potential spam or policy violations. Content flagged as low-quality or spammy gets filtered out immediately.

2. Test Audience Exposure: LinkedIn then shows your content to a small sample of your network to gauge their response. This critical "testing phase" determines whether your post deserves wider distribution.

3. Engagement Evaluation: The algorithm measures how quickly people engage with your content. Early reactions, especially from your first-degree connections, signal to LinkedIn that your content is valuable.

4. Broader Distribution: If your content performs well with the test audience, LinkedIn will gradually expand its reach to second-degree connections and potentially beyond.

Recent algorithm updates have prioritized "knowledge-sharing" content over viral posts. According to LinkedIn's own communications, the platform now favors posts from people you actually know and interact with regularly, especially content that demonstrates expertise rather than just generating reactions.

Why Your LinkedIn Profile Isn't Getting Noticed

Before worrying about content strategy, you need to optimize your profile—the foundation of your LinkedIn presence.

Common profile mistakes that limit visibility include:

1. Generic Headlines: Using only your job title instead of highlighting your specialty and value proposition.

2. Incomplete Sections: Many users leave educational sections sparse, showing only degree names and dates. According to discussions on Reddit, "adding brief descriptions about courses, majors, projects, and accomplishments" significantly improves profile discoverability.

3. Keyword Deficiency: LinkedIn's search algorithm relies heavily on keywords. As one user noted: "LinkedIn algo searches for keywords on your profile as much as it does titles and explicit skills."

4. Poor-Quality Images: Profiles with professional photos receive 21 times more views than those without, yet many users still use casual or outdated images.

Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile for Maximum Visibility

To dramatically improve your chances of being noticed by decision-makers, focus on these profile optimization strategies:

1. Create a Magnetic Headline

Your headline is prime real estate—it appears in search results, connection requests, and comments. Instead of a basic job title, craft a value proposition that speaks directly to your target audience's needs.

Example: Instead of "Freelance Content Writer," try "B2B SaaS Content Strategist | Helping Tech Companies Convert Prospects into Clients Through Educational Content"

2. Complete ALL Profile Sections Thoroughly

LinkedIn's algorithm favors complete profiles when determining visibility in searches. Pay special attention to:

• Education section: Don't just list degrees—add relevant coursework, projects, and achievements.

• Experience section: For each role, include measurable results and link to relevant projects when possible.

• Skills section: Choose industry-specific skills that decision-makers might search for.

3. Optimize with Strategic Keywords

Research keywords that decision-makers in your niche might use when searching for someone with your expertise. Incorporate these naturally throughout your profile, particularly in your:

• Headline

• About section

• Experience descriptions

• Skills list

Avoid keyword stuffing, which can make your profile seem inauthentic. Focus on niche-specific terms that demonstrate your specialized knowledge.

4. Switch to Creator Mode

Creator mode unlocks additional visibility features:

• Adds a "Follow" button instead of "Connect"

• Highlights your content

• Shows hashtags representing topics you discuss

• Positions your Featured section more prominently

As one Reddit user noted: "Set your profile to creator mode. Now you can add featured sections, links, hashtags and topics you 'talk' about."

Creating Content That Cuts Through the Noise

With your profile optimized, let's focus on content strategy—the key to appearing regularly in decision-makers' feeds.

Content Types That Generate Engagement

1. Insight-Driven Posts Share unique perspectives from your experience that offer genuine value. Decision-makers are drawn to content that helps them solve problems or gain competitive advantages.

2. Question-Based Posts Posts that pose thoughtful questions receive significantly more comments. For example: "What's one productivity hack that's completely changed your workflow this year?"

3. Data-Driven Content Original research or well-contextualized industry data positions you as a knowledgeable resource rather than just another voice.

4. Experience-Based Stories Personal stories that illustrate professional lessons learned create both relatability and authority—a powerful combination for attracting decision-makers' attention.

Strategic Posting Practices

LinkedIn's algorithm heavily rewards early engagement. To maximize your content's reach:

1. Post at Optimal Times According to recent data, the best times to post on LinkedIn are Tuesday through Thursday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is when decision-makers are most active on the platform.

2. Maintain Consistent Frequency The algorithm favors accounts that post consistently. Aim for 3-4 posts per week rather than posting sporadically or excessively.

3. Encourage Early Engagement The first hour after posting is critical. Consider:

   • Ending posts with a specific question to encourage comments

   • Tagging relevant connections (sparingly and only when truly relevant)

   • Responding quickly to comments to create conversation threads

4. Limit External Links in Post Text LinkedIn's algorithm deprioritizes posts containing external links. If you need to include a link, put it in the first comment instead of the post itself.

Avoiding Algorithm Penalties

Many LinkedIn users experience sudden drops in reach despite following best practices. As one frustrated user shared: "The unpredictability is really getting to me. It's almost like I'm penalised for doing what the successful people are also doing."

To avoid algorithm penalties:

1. Avoid Engagement Bait Posts that explicitly ask for likes, comments, or follows are often deprioritized.

2. Don't Over-Edit Posts Repeatedly editing a published post can trigger the algorithm to view your content as potentially problematic.

3. Be Wary of Rapid-Fire Posting Posting multiple times within a short period can appear spammy to the algorithm.

4. Avoid Copy-Paste Content Content that appears identical or highly similar to existing posts may be flagged as unoriginal.

Streamlining Your LinkedIn Communication with Kondo

For professionals who receive numerous LinkedIn messages, managing conversations efficiently becomes crucial to maintaining engagement with decision-makers. This is where tools like Kondo can provide significant advantages.

Kondo transforms the often chaotic LinkedIn messaging experience into an organized system that ensures important conversations with prospects don't get lost. For freelancers actively using LinkedIn for prospecting, Kondo's labeling feature allows you to categorize conversations (like "Hot Lead" or "Potential Client"), making it easy to prioritize follow-ups with decision-makers.

The ability to set reminders on conversations is particularly valuable when nurturing relationships with prospects who aren't ready to commit immediately. As one freelancer noted in a discussion about LinkedIn outreach: "target carefully and send fewer, better focused messages instead of blanketing the platform with spam." Kondo's snippets feature supports this approach by allowing you to create personalized message templates that can be quickly customized for each prospect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my LinkedIn posts not getting views?

Your LinkedIn posts may not be getting views due to several factors, including the algorithm filtering them as low-quality, a lack of early engagement from your network, or profile-level issues like an incomplete profile or lack of relevant keywords. The LinkedIn algorithm tests your content with a small audience first; if it doesn't get positive signals (likes, comments) quickly, its reach is limited. Additionally, practices like including external links directly in the post or using engagement bait can also reduce visibility.

How can I make my LinkedIn profile more visible to decision-makers?

To make your LinkedIn profile more visible, you must optimize it with strategic keywords that decision-makers are likely to search for. Start by crafting a value-driven headline that goes beyond your job title. Ensure every section of your profile—especially Experience, Education, and Skills—is complete and detailed. Finally, consider switching to Creator Mode to unlock features that highlight your content and expertise more prominently.

What kind of content works best on the LinkedIn algorithm?

Content that shares knowledge and demonstrates expertise performs best on LinkedIn. The algorithm prioritizes posts that offer unique insights, ask thoughtful questions to spark conversation, present data-driven analysis, or share personal stories that convey professional lessons. The goal is to provide genuine value that helps your audience solve problems or gain new perspectives, rather than simply aiming for viral reactions.

When is the best time to post on LinkedIn?

The best times to post on LinkedIn for maximum engagement are typically Tuesday through Thursday, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in your target audience's time zone. This window is when professionals and decision-makers are most active on the platform, increasing the likelihood that your content will receive the crucial early engagement needed for broader distribution.

How often should I post on LinkedIn?

You should aim to post on LinkedIn consistently, around 3-4 times per week. The algorithm favors regular activity over sporadic or excessive posting. This frequency is enough to keep you visible in your network's feed without overwhelming them, helping you build a sustainable presence.

Does putting a link in a LinkedIn post reduce its reach?

Yes, placing an external link directly in the body of a LinkedIn post can reduce its reach. LinkedIn's algorithm aims to keep users on the platform, so it often deprioritizes posts that send traffic elsewhere. To work around this, it is a common best practice to place the external link in the first comment of your post instead of in the main text.

Final Thoughts: Building a Sustainable LinkedIn Presence

Success on LinkedIn isn't about gaming the algorithm—it's about consistently delivering value to your specific audience of decision-makers. The most effective approach combines:

1. A thoroughly optimized profile that clearly communicates your value proposition

2. Consistent, high-quality content that demonstrates your expertise

3. Strategic engagement with your network to build relationships

4. Efficient communication management to ensure important conversations don't get lost

By understanding how LinkedIn's algorithm works and aligning your strategy accordingly, you can significantly increase your visibility with the decision-makers who matter most to your freelance business. The platform rewards authenticity, expertise, and genuine relationship-building—exactly the qualities that also lead to successful client relationships.

Remember that LinkedIn's algorithm continues to evolve, so staying adaptable and focusing on providing genuine value will always be more effective than chasing short-term visibility tactics that might work today but disappear tomorrow.