How the algorithm works
LinkedIn's algorithm works through a dwell time and engagement loop. When you post, it is initially shown to a small subset of your network. If those early viewers engage (comment, react, share, or spend significant time reading), the algorithm widens the distribution. If early engagement is low, the post is deprioritised. This means the first 60-90 minutes after posting are critical — timing posts for when your network is online (typically 7-9am or 12-1pm on weekdays for UK audiences) and having a small group who reliably engage early can meaningfully extend reach.
What content performs
Consistent patterns across accounts that grow on LinkedIn: first-person storytelling (personal experience and lessons learned) consistently outperforms generic advice or promotional content. Taking a clear position on a topic in your field (rather than "it depends" hedging) generates more engagement. Tactical, specific content ("here are five things I learned from X") outperforms vague inspiration. Carousel posts (multi-slide documents) and text posts tend to outperform link posts (LinkedIn has historically suppressed content that drives traffic away from the platform).
Building your profile
Before investing in posting, ensure your profile is complete. The headline (the text under your name) should describe who you help and how, not just your job title. The About section should address your target audience's problems and what you offer. A professional photo (LinkedIn reports this generates 21x more profile views and 9x more connection requests). Custom profile URL.
Consistency over virality
Building a LinkedIn audience is a medium-term activity. Most of the large creators on LinkedIn grew steadily over 12-24 months of consistent posting rather than going viral. The practical approach: decide on a frequency you can sustain (three posts per week is a solid target), create a bank of content ideas, batch-write posts, and schedule ahead to maintain consistency when time is short.