LinkedIn Comment Strategy for Higher Reach

LinkedIn comments have 15x more algorithmic weight than likes. Posts that generate comment threads (back-and-forth conversations) trigger aggressive reach expansion. Replying to all comments during the "golden hour" (first 60-90 minutes) generates 30% more engagement across the post's lifecycle. Long comments (>15 words) are significantly more impactful than short reactions. This article presents the comment engagement formula, their impact on reach, and strategies to maximize engagement via comments.

What Is the Comment Engagement Formula?

Comment Algorithmic Weight

According to Medium, Comments are LinkedIn's most valuable engagement signal, with 15x more algorithmic weight than likes. [1] Engagement signal hierarchy:

• Comments (especially long and thoughtful ones): 15x heavier than likes [1]
• Shares: Strong signal (5x)
• Saves: Signal of lasting value (3x)
• Dwell time: Strongly weighted (15.6% vs 1.2% engagement correlation)
• Reactions (likes, etc.): 1x (baseline)

Comment Quality Factors

LinkedIn's algorithm weights several factors to evaluate comment quality: Weighting factors:

• Comment length: Comments >15 words = significantly more impactful than short reactions [2]
• Comment threads: Back-and-forth conversations dramatically boost distribution [3]
• Comment velocity: Getting quality comments quickly after posting signals strong content [4]
• Commenter authority: Comments from high-engagement accounts may carry additional weight [5]

How Do Comments Impact Reach?

Aggressive Reach Expansion

Posts that generate comment threads (back-and-forth conversations) trigger aggressive reach expansion, reaching 2nd and 3rd-degree connections, hashtag followers, and interest groups. [3] Expansion mechanism:

• Comment threads: Back-and-forth conversations signal engaging content
• Extended distribution: Reaches 2nd and 3rd-degree connections
• Hashtags and groups: Distribution to hashtag followers and interest groups
• Prolonged distribution: High-performing posts can stay in distribution for days or weeks

Comments vs Likes

According to Medium, Comments have 15x more algorithmic weight than likes, explaining why creators focus on generating comments rather than likes. [1] Why comments > likes:

• Algorithmic weight: 15x heavier than likes
• Extended distribution: Trigger extended distribution
• Quality engagement: Signal real interest
• Minimal like effect: Likes have minimal algorithmic effect

Response Rate and Performance

Impact of Replying to Comments

According to Buffer, Replying to all comments during the "golden hour" (first 60-90 minutes) generates 30% more engagement across the post's lifecycle. Buffer's analysis of 72,000 posts from 25,000 accounts confirms this pattern holds across 83% of accounts. [6] The first 60-90 minutes after posting determine 70% of your post's ultimate reach. [9] Performance by response rate:

• Reply during golden hour (60-90 min): +30% engagement [6] [9]
• Reply after golden hour: Reduced engagement
• No reply: Minimal engagement

Critical Golden Hour

According to Blue Gift Digital Hub, The "golden hour" (first 60-90 minutes) is critical: replying to all comments during this window determines 70% of your post's ultimate reach. [9] Engaging during this period is no longer optional—it's essential. [6] Optimal response strategy:

• Critical window: First 60-90 minutes after posting (golden hour)
• Reply to all: Reply to every comment immediately
• Quality engagement: Thoughtful and relevant replies
• Universal pattern: Applies to 83% of accounts
• Block time: Treat the golden hour like hosting an event—be present

Reciprocity Pattern

LinkedIn Reciprocity Model

LinkedIn operates on a reciprocity model: engaging with others' content increases the likelihood they'll see and engage with your content, and vice versa. [7] Reciprocity mechanism:

• Mutual engagement: Engaging with others increases your visibility
• Selective engagement: Comment on competitors', industry leaders', and prospects' content
• Visibility before outreach: Build visibility before direct outreach
• Authentic engagement: Thoughtful and relevant engagement is rewarded, mindless engagement is penalized

Reciprocity strategies:

• Selective comments: Comment on competitors' content
• Engagement with leaders: Comment on industry leaders' posts
• Engagement with prospects: Comment on prospects' feeds
• Visibility before outreach: Build visibility before direct outreach

Strategies to Maximize Engagement via Comments

Comment Generation

Strategies to generate more comments:

• Questions in first three lines: Generate significantly more comments [8]
• Specific questions: "What format is driving your best engagement in 2025?" > "What do you think?"
• Contrarian statements: Statements that spark discussion
• Hook engineering: First three lines determine whether users stop or continue

Impact of early questions:

• More comments and engagement vs posts without early questions [8]
• Scroll stop: Questions in first three lines critical
• Immediate engagement: Generates comments from the start

Response Optimization

Strategies to optimize responses:

• Quick response: Reply during golden hour (first 60-90 minutes)
• Thoughtful replies: Relevant and engaging replies
• Follow-up questions: Ask questions to encourage more engagement
• Conversations: Create comment threads (back-and-forth conversations)

Optimal response checklist:

• Reply to all comments during golden hour (60-90 minutes)
• Thoughtful and relevant replies
• Ask follow-up questions
• Create back-and-forth conversations
• Engage with quality commenters

Monitoring and Feedback

Using comments as feedback:

• Audience questions: Comment threads reveal real questions
• Concerns: Identify audience concerns
• Insights for future content: Use these insights to inform future content
• Continuous optimization: Improve content based on comments

Glossary

Algorithmic weight : Relative importance of an engagement signal in LinkedIn's algorithm. Comments have 15x more weight than likes. Comment threads : Back-and-forth conversations between creator and commenters, triggering aggressive reach expansion. Comment velocity : Speed at which quality comments arrive after posting, signaling strong content. Commenter authority : Potential influence of a comment based on the commenter's account engagement. Reciprocity model : LinkedIn mechanism where engaging with others' content increases the likelihood they'll see and engage with your content.

Methodology

The data presented in this article comes from:

• Primary sources: Official LinkedIn reports, internal LinkedIn analyses, company case studies
• Secondary sources: Analytics tool analyses (Buffer), creator case studies, company reports
• Period covered: Data primarily from 2024-2025
• Limitations: Metrics may vary by industry, company size, and objectives. Benchmarks may differ by region.

FAQ