TL;DR Summary of LinkedIn Reverses Algorithm Change and Updates Hashtag Guidance
Optimixed’s Overview: LinkedIn’s Feed Improvements and Hashtag Strategy Evolution
Algorithm Rollback and Feed Experience
Recently, LinkedIn encountered user feedback regarding an increase in older posts appearing prominently in feeds due to a test algorithm update. The company has since reverted this change to prioritize more recent and relevant content. The original intent was to ensure users didn’t miss key updates, such as job changes after periods of inactivity, but the outcome did not meet expectations. This rollback aims to restore the feed to a more familiar and timely state.
Hashtag Usage: Decline in Necessity
- Historical context: Hashtags were reintroduced in 2018 to help categorize posts manually.
- Current status: LinkedIn’s improved natural language processing now understands post content and context without relying heavily on hashtags.
- Practical advice: Hashtags remain useful when targeting specific trending topics or search queries but are generally less critical for content distribution.
- Platform changes: LinkedIn is phasing out hashtag-based feeds due to low user engagement with this feature.
Advancements in AI for Professional Tools
LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky highlighted upcoming AI innovations, such as voice-enabled interview coaching and resume-building assistants. However, the platform’s AI-powered post enhancement tool has seen limited adoption, partly because users value authenticity and are wary of obvious AI-generated content. LinkedIn plans to continue integrating AI thoughtfully to support users’ professional identities without compromising trust.