If you’re struggling with low LinkedIn engagement, you aren’t alone. Many professionals find themselves shouting into a void, but the secret to fixing it lies in understanding exactly what makes a user stop scrolling and start typing a response.
It’s disheartening to put effort into a LinkedIn post only to watch it sit there with zero likes and no comments.
But there’s usually a reason and often it’s fixable.
Decoding the Hierarchy of LinkedIn Engagement
Not all engagement is equal.
Each type signals something different about how your content landed:
Impressions = “You grabbed my attention” Your headline, hook, or topic was interesting enough to make someone pause. They may not have done anything, but you showed up on their radar.
Reactions (likes) = “This was safe and familiar” They saw it, it made sense, and they agreed enough to tap like. No strong feelings, no deep reaction but it landed well enough. It’s a gentle nod of approval, nothing more.
Comments = “You got under my skin” This made them feel something, think something, or want to speak up. You didn’t just post you provoked a reaction. This is where real connection starts. If you’re getting comments, you’re building trust.
Reposts = “This says what I believe” They saw your post and thought, “This is exactly what I’ve been trying to explain” so they shared it. Not to show off, but because you nailed something they deeply agree with or want others to understand. It’s alignment.
Saves = “I need to come back to this” Your content was valuable enough that they want to reference it later. This signals genuine usefulness they didn’t just enjoy it, they found it worth keeping.
Sends = “Someone I know needs to see this” They thought of a specific person who would benefit from your post and sent it directly to them. This is powerful it means your content is so relevant it sparked a personal recommendation.
If you’re getting impressions but no reactions, your hook works but your content isn’t resonating.
If you’re getting likes but no comments, your content feels safe but isn’t provoking a response.
Understanding this helps you diagnose what’s actually going wrong.
Common Roadblocks to Consistent LinkedIn Engagement
Your feed appeal is weak This is the biggest factor. Feed appeal is the combination of your opening line and your visual working together to stop people scrolling. An eye-catching image paired with a compelling first sentence is what makes someone pause. If either element is weak, people scroll straight past. You have a split second to grab attention.
Your content lacks novelty If you’re posting the same generic advice or obvious insights that everyone else shares, people won’t engage. Ask yourself: is this something people have seen a hundred times before?
You’re not sparking conversation Engagement means comments, and comments come from content that makes people want to respond. Are you asking questions? Sharing opinions people might disagree with? Telling stories that resonate?
People don’t trust you yet Credibility matters. If your audience doesn’t trust the source or the message, they won’t engage. This builds over time through consistent, valuable content.
Your timing is off Posting when your audience isn’t online means fewer people see it in those crucial early moments. While LinkedIn posting times aren’t the only factor, getting your initial momentum right is key to the algorithm pushing your post further.
Your profile lets you down Before engaging with your content, people glance at who wrote it. If your profile is incomplete or screams “I’m going to sell you something,” people scroll past.
Data-Backed Drivers of LinkedIn Engagement
Research from NP Digital, based on 614 marketers and insights from over 49,000 LinkedIn posts, ranked what makes content perform:
- Hook strength (9.7/10) – By far the most important factor
- Engagement potential (10/10) – The ability to spark conversations
- Novelty (9.2/10) – Content that feels fresh and worth noticing
- Credibility (8.5/10) – Whether the audience trusts the source
- Timing (6.1/10) – Posting when your audience is most receptive
- Visual impact (5.4/10) – Images and design that stop the scroll
- Emotional punch (5.2/10) – Content that triggers feelings
- Trend fit (5/10) – How well it taps into current trends
The key takeaway? On LinkedIn, virality is built on trust. Lean into credibility and conversation over novelty or visuals. If you want reach, spark dialogue not just clicks.
How to Fix Low Engagement
Nail your feed appeal Your opening line and visual work as a team. A strong visual with a weak opening line won’t cut it, and neither will a great line paired with a forgettable image.
Say something worth saying Share genuine insights, real experiences, or opinions that add something new. Avoid generic fluff.
Write to start conversations End with a question, share a take people might disagree with, or tell a story that invites people to share their own.
Be consistent One post won’t change anything. Show up regularly and build momentum over time.
Be human People engage with people, not corporate speak. Write like you talk and don’t be afraid to be a bit different.
TL;DR
No engagement usually means weak feed appeal, unoriginal content, or nothing worth commenting on.
Nail your opening line and visual to stop the scroll, say something fresh that people actually care about, and give them a reason to respond.
Engagement comes from creating content people want to interact with not from gaming the algorithm.