Why I Can't Stand LinkedIn: A Look at How the Platform Has Changed for the Worse

This blog post is a rant. I'm going to talk about how LinkedIn has become a place for people to post irrelevant content and cringy posts.

📍 This is my personal opinion. I'm not trying to offend anyone. I'm just sharing my thoughts. If you disagree with me, please let me know in the comments 👇

I joined LinkedIn in June, 2016. I was a student at the time and I was looking for internships. LinkedIn was a great place to connect with people and find jobs. It was a place where you could find people who are experts in their field and learn from them. I liked it a lot. I don't remember seeing any cringy posts...

But now, LinkedIn has become a place for people to post irrelevant content and cringy posts. I don't like it anymore.

But I'm forced to use it because recruiters are using it to find candidates. It's a necessary evil 😈

Every time I open LinkedIn, I feel like I'm in a different world. It's like I'm in a different planet...

Here are some reasons why I can't stand LinkedIn:

1. Cringy Posts

One of the biggest changes I have noticed on LinkedIn is the increase in cringy posts. From motivational quotes to overly personal stories, the platform is now filled with content that adds no value to the professional networking experience. It's hard to scroll through my feed without coming across something that makes me roll my eyes.

Sorry about the cringy posts. I had to share them with you. 😂😂

That's just a few examples. There are many more. I'm sure you've seen them too.

2. Irrelevant Content

Another issue I have with LinkedIn is the amount of irrelevant content that is being shared on the platform. From influencers trying to sell their courses to people posting about their weekend plans, it's hard to find content that is truly relevant to my professional life. I don't want to see what you had for breakfast. I don't want to see your cat (even if it's cute and fluffy... I love cats 🐈)

I want to see content that is useful... content that will help me grow my career.

3. Lack of engagement

One reason to dislike LinkedIn is the lack of engagement on the platform. With so much content being shared, it can be difficult for users to get their posts seen and engage with their audience. This can make the platform feel less valuable and less engaging.

4. Endorsements and Skills

Some users dislike the endorsement and skills feature on LinkedIn, as it can feel like a popularity contest and not an accurate representation of someone's professional abilities.

5. Men / Women: the battle for influence is unequal on LinkedIn

According to recent research, women in general, and younger women (18-30) in particular, garner significantly more reactions on LinkedIn than their male counterparts.

I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I'm not sexist. I'm just sharing my thoughts...

Is it the algorithm? Is it the content? Is it the audience? I don't know. But it's definitely something to think about.

Final Thoughts

This is just a rant. I'm thinking out loud... I'm sure there are many people who love LinkedIn... and that's great. LinkedIn is a great platform for many people. But it's not for me.

We say in Arabic: "شر لابد منه" ... which means "Necessary evil". 😈

I found a subreddit called r/LinkedInCringe. I think it's hilarious. 😂

If you disagree with me, please let me know in the comments 👇 I'm curious to know what you think.