Why LinkedIn Rewards Mediocrity

LinkedIn's engagement-driven algorithm systematically elevates shallow, meaningless content over substantive professional discourse, according to a new analysis that highlights how major platforms prioritize user retention metrics over content quality. Entrepreneur and product executive Elliot Smith describes encountering a 'seemingly endless stream of posts that are over fluffed, over produced and ultimately say nothing' that he categorizes as 'toxic mediocrity.'

Smith argues the platform's reward system creates a destructive cycle where 'comments, likes and other engagement' signal user activity to LinkedIn's algorithm, which then promotes similar vapid content. 'LinkedIn wants you on LinkedIn,' Smith writes, noting the Microsoft-owned platform correlates engagement with ad clicks and premium conversions. Smith recommends professionals focus on substantive work rather than platform gaming, arguing 'nothing you post there is going to change your career.'

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