Is LinkedIn's algorithm killing critical thinking?
I’ve been on LinkedIn for 11 years now. In that time, I’ve seen it change massively. But in the last few years, something’s gone wrong.
I’ve been on LinkedIn for 11 years now. In that time, I’ve seen it change massively. But in the last few years, something’s gone wrong.
The quality of content has plummeted. Valuable, nuanced posts are getting buried, and shallow, feel-good content is everywhere. The culprit? LinkedIn’s algorithm.
Let’s talk about what’s really going on - and why it’s a problem.
Why LinkedIn’s algorithm feels broken
LinkedIn’s algorithm rewards two things:
Engagement - likes, comments, and reposts.
Dwell time - how long someone spends on your post.
The key is what happens in the first hour. Posts that perform quickly are pushed across the platform.
Now, imagine you post a motivational quote. If it gets quick traction, LinkedIn amplifies it to more people. But what happens to thoughtful content - the kind that takes time to digest? It gets buried.
This system doesn’t just reward early engagement - it punishes depth.
Simplistic content wins, and that’s a problem
If you scroll your feed, you’ll see it - motivational quotes, overly simplistic advice, and the same tired bullet points.
Why? Because that’s the kind of content LinkedIn’s algorithm loves.
Creators know this, so they play to it. Even the ones with real insight are simplifying their ideas, turning meaningful thoughts into bite-sized platitudes just to get traction.
It’s frustrating, isn’t it? If you’ve ever put time and thought into a post only to see it flop, while someone else’s “Don’t give up!” post takes off, you know the pain.
Why this is demoralising for experts
This system isn’t just annoying. It’s demoralising.
People with real expertise - those with hard-earned insights and nuanced advice - are being drowned out. Imagine dedicating years to mastering your craft, only to be outperformed by a post that’s essentially, “Success is just around the corner.”
It leaves you wondering: What’s the point?
And it’s worse for people starting out. If you don’t already have traction, it’s nearly impossible to break through. The algorithm is like an echo chamber, boosting those who’ve already “made it” and sidelining everyone else.
Gaslight marketing is making it worse
Here’s where things get really toxic.
The algorithm has given rise to what I call “gaslight marketing.” It’s those posts from influencers that say:
“You can be like me! Buy my course, follow my steps, and success is guaranteed.”
But here’s the truth: it’s nonsense. Most people won’t become millionaires. The world doesn’t work like that.
Yet this kind of content thrives. It preys on insecurities, makes people feel inadequate, and sells an illusion.
Meanwhile, practical advice - the kind that acknowledges complexity - doesn’t stand a chance.
Why this matters for all of us
LinkedIn isn’t just a social media platform. It’s one of the main ways people learn and share ideas.
But when shallow, trendy content dominates, something important gets lost: critical thinking.
We’re being conditioned to value likes and comments over real insight. And the things we need to hear - the tough conversations, the complex solutions - are being drowned out.
Is LinkedIn’s algorithm killing critical thinking?
Not directly. But it’s pushing us in that direction.
It rewards simplicity, not substance.
It amplifies quick fixes, not real solutions.
It makes creators chase performance, not impact.
And here’s the real issue: it’s exhausting and demoralising for those of us trying to add real value.
What needs to change?
Creators need to push back
We need to stop chasing the algorithm and start posting what matters.LinkedIn needs to take responsibility
The platform must recognise its role in shaping behaviour.We need to engage smarter
As users, we need to reward depth and nuance, not just what’s easy to like.
LinkedIn isn’t killing critical thinking. But it’s making us more superficial.
The question is - are we OK with that? Or is it time to demand better?
It's weird that publishing high quality articles based on the relevant academic and professional literature get referenced within a few days on Google but literally get lost in the limbo on LinkedIn itself with no more than a few hundred impressions (not to mention that a few of those impressions are from the algorithm displaying my own posts on my own feed...)