Question 1

What is the 95-5 rule on LinkedIn?

Accepted Answer

The 95-5 rule suggests spending:  95% of your time: Engaging with others' content (comments, likes, shares) 5% of your time: Creating your own content  This rule works because:  Engagement builds relationships and visibility Commenting on others' posts often gets more reach than posting It's more sustainable than constant content creation It positions you as an active community member  However, adjust based on your goals. Thought leaders may need more content creation.

Question 2

What is the 4-1-1 rule on LinkedIn?

Accepted Answer

The 4-1-1 rule suggests this content mix:  4 pieces: Curated content from others (sharing valuable resources) 1 piece: Original content you create 1 piece: Self-promotional content (your services, products)  This balance ensures you provide value while promoting yourself. However, on LinkedIn, the ratio might be more like 3-2-1 (more original content) for better engagement.

Question 3

What is the best time to post on LinkedIn?

Accepted Answer

Best times to post on LinkedIn:  Tuesday-Thursday: Generally highest engagement 8-10 AM: When professionals check LinkedIn before work 12-1 PM: Lunch break engagement 5-6 PM: End of workday check-ins  However, timing depends on your audience's timezone and habits. Test different times and track what works for your specific audience. Pro tip: Consistency matters more than perfect timing. Posting regularly at the same time builds audience expectations.

Question 4

When should you post on LinkedIn?

Accepted Answer

Post on LinkedIn when:  You have valuable insights to share You can engage with comments (within 1-2 hours of posting) Your audience is active (typically Tuesday-Thursday, 8-10 AM) You're consistent (same days/times work best)  Avoid posting when you can't respond to comments, as early engagement boosts algorithm performance.

Question 5

When not to post on LinkedIn?

Accepted Answer

Avoid posting on LinkedIn:  Weekends: Lower engagement (except Sunday evening) Holidays: Reduced audience activity Late night: Minimal engagement (after 9 PM) When you can't engage: Early comments are crucial for reach During major news events: Your content may get buried  However, if you have time-sensitive content or a specific audience that's active at unusual times, test and adjust.

Question 6

Should you post every day on LinkedIn?

Accepted Answer

Posting daily on LinkedIn can work, but it's not necessary:  Pros: More opportunities for engagement, algorithm favors consistency Cons: Quality may suffer, risk of burnout, harder to maintain engagement  Better approach: Post 3-5 times per week with high-quality content. Quality and engagement matter more than frequency. If you can maintain quality daily, go for it. But don't sacrifice quality for quantity.

Question 7

Is it bad to post on LinkedIn twice a day?

Accepted Answer

Posting twice a day on LinkedIn is generally fine, but consider:  Content quality: Can you maintain quality with double frequency? Engagement capacity: Can you respond to comments on both posts? Audience fatigue: Will your network feel overwhelmed? Algorithm impact: LinkedIn may limit reach if you post too frequently  Best practice: Space posts 4-6 hours apart, and only post twice if you can maintain quality and engagement.

Question 8

What should you not post on LinkedIn?

Accepted Answer

Avoid posting on LinkedIn:  Controversial political content (unless it's your brand) Personal drama or complaints about work/colleagues Overly promotional content without value Misinformation or unverified claims Inappropriate humor or offensive content Spam or repetitive content Content that violates LinkedIn's terms  When in doubt, ask: "Does this add value to my professional network?"

Question 9

What gets you banned from LinkedIn?

Accepted Answer

Actions that can get you banned from LinkedIn:  Spam behavior: Mass connection requests, repetitive messages Automation violations: Using tools that violate LinkedIn's terms Fake profiles: Impersonation or false information Harassment: Bullying, threats, or inappropriate behavior Scams or fraud: Deceptive practices or financial scams Copyright violations: Posting copyrighted content without permission Repeated policy violations: Multiple warnings lead to bans  LinkedIn typically issues warnings before permanent bans, except for severe violations.

Question 10

How to avoid LinkedIn jail?

Accepted Answer

To avoid LinkedIn restrictions ("LinkedIn jail"):  Limit connection requests: Max 20-30 per week, always personalized Don't post too frequently: Space posts 4-6 hours apart Avoid automation tools: That violate LinkedIn's terms Engage authentically: Real comments, not spam Respect rate limits: Don't send too many messages at once Use LinkedIn's native features: Instead of third-party automation Build gradually: Don't try to grow too fast  If you're restricted, wait it out (usually 1-2 weeks) and reduce activity levels.

Question 11

How long does LinkedIn jail last?

Accepted Answer

LinkedIn restrictions typically last:  Temporary restrictions: 1-2 weeks for minor violations Extended restrictions: 1-3 months for repeated violations Permanent bans: For severe violations (rare, usually after warnings)  Restrictions usually lift automatically if you:  Reduce your activity levels Stop violating policies Wait for the restriction period to end  You'll receive notifications about restrictions in your account settings.

Question 12

Why is LinkedIn restricting me?

Accepted Answer

LinkedIn may restrict you for:  Too many connection requests: Sending 50+ per week Spam behavior: Generic messages, repetitive content Automation detection: Using tools that violate terms Rapid activity: Sudden spikes in posting or messaging Policy violations: Content that breaks community guidelines User reports: Multiple people reporting your account  Check your account settings for specific restriction reasons and duration.

Question 13

How do I get out of LinkedIn jail?

Accepted Answer

To get out of LinkedIn restrictions:  Stop violating policies: Immediately reduce activity Wait it out: Most restrictions last 1-2 weeks Review LinkedIn's terms: Understand what you did wrong Reduce activity: Post and message less frequently Engage authentically: Real, thoughtful interactions Contact support: If you believe it's a mistake  Patience is key. Most restrictions lift automatically if you follow the guidelines.

Question 14

Does LinkedIn shadowban you?

Accepted Answer

LinkedIn doesn't officially "shadowban," but it can reduce your reach for:  Low-quality content: Posts that don't generate engagement Spam behavior: Repetitive or promotional content Policy violations: Content that violates guidelines Low engagement rates: Posts that consistently underperform  If your reach suddenly drops, it's likely due to content quality or algorithm changes, not a shadowban. Focus on creating valuable, engaging content.

Question 15

Does LinkedIn punish you for posting too much?

Accepted Answer

LinkedIn may reduce reach if you post too frequently, but it's not a direct "punishment":  Algorithm response: Too many posts may reduce individual post reach Audience fatigue: Your network may engage less if overwhelmed Quality concerns: Frequent posting often reduces content quality  Best practice: Post 3-5 times per week with high-quality content. Quality and engagement matter more than frequency. If you can maintain quality and engagement with daily posts, LinkedIn won't penalize you.

Question 16

What is the golden hour rule for LinkedIn posts?

Accepted Answer

The "golden hour" refers to the first hour after posting, which is crucial because:  Algorithm boost: Early engagement signals quality to LinkedIn's algorithm Momentum building: Comments in the first hour create visibility Network notification: Your network sees activity and may engage  Best practice: Be available to respond to comments in the first hour. Engage with early commenters to boost your post's reach. Posts that get 5-10 comments in the first hour typically perform much better than those that don't.

Question 17

Is 7pm too late to post on LinkedIn?

Accepted Answer

7 PM can be too late for LinkedIn, depending on:  Your audience's timezone: Is 7 PM their active time? Day of week: Weekday evenings have lower engagement Your availability: Can you respond to comments in the golden hour?  Generally: 7 PM is late for LinkedIn. Most professionals check LinkedIn during work hours (8 AM-6 PM). Exception: If your audience is in a different timezone or you're targeting evening readers, 7 PM might work. Test and track engagement.

Question 18

Is it bad to post late at night on LinkedIn?

Accepted Answer

Posting late at night on LinkedIn is generally not ideal because:  Low engagement: Fewer people are active Missed golden hour: You may not be available to respond Algorithm impact: Low early engagement reduces reach  However, if you can respond to comments early the next morning, late-night posting might work for your schedule. Better approach: Schedule posts for optimal times (8-10 AM) when your audience is most active.

LinkedIn Best Practices & Rules FAQ