The LinkedIn Algorithm in 2026: What Actually Works

LinkedIn's algorithm has changed significantly over the past two years. Many of the tactics that worked in 2022 actively hurt your reach today. Here's what's actually working in 2026.

What the algorithm prioritises now

LinkedIn's core signal is "meaningful engagement" -- not just likes, but comments, saves, and reshares. More specifically, it weights early engagement heavily. A post that gets 5 comments in the first 30 minutes gets distributed far more broadly than one that accumulates 50 likes over 3 days.

The formats that win

Text-only posts continue to outperform image and video for most professional content. The algorithm appears to keep users on the platform when posts don't require clicking away, and long-form text keeps people reading in-feed.

Short-form video (under 90 seconds, native upload) is gaining ground fast. Carousels (document posts) remain strong for educational content. External links perform poorly, so don't lead with them.

Timing still matters

Tuesday to Thursday, 7:30 to 9:30 AM in your audience's timezone remains the sweet spot for most B2B audiences. The data is fairly consistent across industries. Avoid Friday afternoons and weekends unless your audience skews toward consumer.

The one thing that's not optional

Consistency. The algorithm rewards accounts that publish regularly. Publishing 3-4 times per week for 3 months will outperform sporadic viral attempts every time. It's a long game, but the compounding is real.