LinkedIn Is Losing Its Way: A Call Back to What Made It Valuable
- Adam Kail
- Sep 4
- 3 min read
When I first joined LinkedIn in 2010, I saw it as a powerful space to connect, learn, and grow professionally. It was a platform where people built meaningful networks, shared insights within their industries, and opened doors to opportunities. It felt different from other social media platforms. It was more intentional, more professional, and ultimately more valuable.
But lately, it seems my worst fears are becoming realized: LinkedIn is slowly becoming like Facebook, just in a suit.
The Shift Toward Noise Over Value
Instead of thoughtful discussions, my feed is filled with:
Political rants that divide more than they connect.
Personal life overshares, like endless family pictures that would feel more at home on Instagram.
Performative thought leadership, where it seems everyone is a “subject matter expert” on every topic of the day.
This isn’t why most of us log in. Professionals don’t need more noise. What we need is a platform where we can actually learn, share meaningful insights, and collaborate with others in our industry.
What LinkedIn Was Built For
At its best, LinkedIn is:
A place to grow your professional network, not just collect connections.
A space to learn from others’ expertise, not compete for attention with hot takes.
A platform to open doors to opportunities, whether through new jobs, partnerships, or collaborations.
That’s the magic we risk losing when the platform becomes cluttered with distractions.
What We Should Strive For
If we want LinkedIn to stay relevant and valuable, we need to treat it differently from other social platforms. A few thoughts:
Keep it professional. Celebrate wins, share challenges, and offer genuine insights from your work.
Respect the purpose. Aside from perhaps taking your child to work day, save family / personal shares for social media that’s built for that.
Add real value. Post when you can help others think differently, grow, or act with purpose.
LinkedIn’s strength has always been in its professionalism and intentionality. If we let it turn into just another social feed, it loses what makes it unique.
Tips & Tricks to Grow Your LinkedIn Network the Right Way
I’ve built a network of over 17,000 connections and followers, and while the number is significant, what matters is that it’s intentional and professional. Here are some lessons I’ve learned along the way:
Engage with Purpose
Don’t just “like” posts—comment thoughtfully. A good comment can spark meaningful conversations and encourage people to connect with you.
Ask questions, offer perspective, and add value rather than repeating what’s already said.
Send Personal Connection Requests
A quick note like “I enjoyed your recent post on X” or “We share a focus on Y, would love to connect” makes a huge difference.
People appreciate authenticity and context.
Share Insights, Not Just Updates
Instead of saying “Excited to announce a promotion,” explain what you learned on the journey.
The posts that resonate are the ones that teach, inspire, or invite dialogue.
Balance Posting & Listening
Don’t just broadcast. Spend as much time reading others’ posts as you do writing your own.
The best networking happens when you’re genuinely curious about other people.
Stay Consistent
One thoughtful post a week is better than 10 filler posts.
Over time, consistency builds trust, and trust builds opportunity.
Focus on Quality Connections
Having 17,000+ connections doesn’t mean much if they aren’t relevant.
Focus on connecting with peers, industry leaders, clients, and collaborators who add depth to your network.
In Conclusion
LinkedIn is still the best professional platform we have—but only if we use it for what it was intended: to connect, learn, and grow together.
If we treat it like Facebook, it becomes Facebook.
If we treat it like LinkedIn was intended, it becomes the career-accelerating, relationship-building tool that has helped me and countless others grow professionally.