What is engagement on LinkedIn?

Comments are just free networking that most people ignore.

I never thought about it this way until I noticed my own behavior. I'll forget a post in an hour but remember a commenter for weeks. Says everything really.

The way I see it  a like is a nod, a share is a handshake, but a comment is an actual conversation. LinkedIn's algorithm rewards dwell time and replies, and nothing creates that chain like a good comment thread. Most people optimizing for "engagement" are just chasing likes which is honestly the weakest signal of the three.

i think comments get all the credit but saves are the real sleeper. linkedin doesn't show them publicly so nobody talks about them, but i've had posts with barely any likes get pushed way harder than ones with tons of reactions, and the only difference i could see was saves.

the commenter thing you mentioned is real though. i'll forget who posted something but remember who left a good comment on it for weeks. some people figured this out and their whole strategy is just commenting on other people's stuff. never posting themselves. arguably better ROI tbh.

the other thing nobody talks about is that linkedin clearly treats long comments differently than "great post!" replies. like it's not even close. one thoughtful comment from someone with a decent network can do moren for a post's reach than 30 fire emojis

I've noticed the same. Like are easy and happen almost automatically, but comments usually mean someone actually read and thought about the post.

From an algorithm perspective, comments and meaningful discussion tend to push post further because they signal real interaction.

Share are probably the strongest signal though, since someone is putting your content in front of their own network.

So practically it's something like: Likes = light interest, comments = real engagement, shares = strongest signal.

One thing missing from most engagement discussions is timing. The first 60-90 minutes after posting is when LinkedIn decides if your content gets pushed wider or dies. Early comments (especially ones that generate replies) signal to the algorithm that there's a real conversation happening.

The reply chain effect is huge too. A single comment that sparks 4-5 back and forth replies can do more for your reach than 20 standalone comments. That's why the best commenters don't just drop a take and leave - they stick around and actually engage with responses.

I'd also add that the type of reaction matters more than people think. "Insightful" and "Love" reactions seem to carry slightly more weight than a basic like, probably because they require one extra click which signals more intent. Not a huge difference but noticeable over time.

The commenter memory thing you mentioned is 100% real. I've gotten more DMs and connection requests from strategic commenting than from posting. Some people have built entire personal brands just from being "that person" who always has something useful to add.

honestly you're 100% right about the memory thing. I've noticed the same, i can tell you exactly who wrote a thoughtful comment on my recent post but i couldn't tell you who just reacted to my them.

as far as the weighting goes, the LI algorithm is basically designed to back up exactly what you're seeing. It’s obsessed with dwell time and meaningful engagement rn. if someone stops to actually type a reply, it tells the algo the post is high quality, so it pushes it to a wider slice of your network.

a few things people usually miss when they talk about this:

1. that first hour is everything. if you don't get a few comments in the first 60-90 min the algo will most likely bury it as it thinks its low quality.

2. external links are reach killers (honestly the algo is so petty and jealous of you even suggesting someone to leave the platform) so its preferred to put your link in the comments, unless the post is all about the click, then I would still just put it in the post thb.

3. posting and ghosting is a big no-no. make sure to be engaging on the platform before and after you post and def reply and react to any comments you get on your own post.

in short, if it feels like a real conversation, the algo loves it. if it feels like noise in a void, it dies.

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Understanding LinkedIn engagement is very tough tbh. I've started posting on LinkedIn for the past 2 months and it's been a very roller-coaster type of experience there. Sometimes some posts get thousands of views but barely 15–20 reactions, but on the other hand some posts get like 400–500 views and more reactions and comments than the posts with high views.

Usually, I pay more attention to comments and meaningful discussions. Because for me, if a post is getting fewer views but many people are commenting and starting conversations on it, that's stronger engagement than a post with high views but no interaction.