In a recent podcast, we discussed the decision to leave LinkedIn. This bold move sparked a debate on the platform's relevance and usefulness. As early adopters of LinkedIn, we had been on the platform since its inception, long before Microsoft acquired it. However, despite our long-standing presence, we realized that nothing positive had occurred in our private or professional lives as a direct result of being on LinkedIn.
To hell with platforms
One major concern was the lack of meaningful engagement and the fear of missing out on business opportunities. However, our experience showed that the platform only brought unsolicited sales pitches and no tangible benefits. With no real value added, we questioned the need to invest time in discussions, comments, and publishing on LinkedIn.
Instead of relying on LinkedIn, we decided to focus on our website, podcast, and YouTube channel. By doing so, we could maintain control over our content and avoid the platform's algorithm, which often prioritizes engagement over quality. This shift allowed us to create content that truly resonated with our audience and provided value.
Everyone is pretending
Another issue we faced with LinkedIn was the lack of authenticity in the content shared. The platform seemed to prioritize success stories over real-life experiences and failures. We believe that sharing genuine stories of failure and learning can be beneficial for others, but the platform's focus on personal branding discourages such openness.
We also noticed that LinkedIn's algorithm favors generic content that generates quick engagement, rather than thoughtful discussions that require more time and effort to process. This trend has led to a decline in the quality of content shared on the platform, making it difficult for users to find valuable information related to their professional fields.
YouTube is much better
In contrast, platforms like YouTube offer the opportunity to create and monetize high-quality content, encouraging creators to invest in producing valuable material. Additionally, YouTube's algorithm seems to be more conducive to fostering a better user experience.
We also found that LinkedIn's video capabilities were lacking, as native video content consistently underperformed on the platform. As avid video creators, this limitation pushed us to focus more on YouTube, where video content is better supported and promoted.
Dead communities
One of our final attempts to find value in LinkedIn was through the creation of discussion groups. However, despite targeting like-minded professionals, we found it nearly impossible to engage users in meaningful conversations. This failure further solidified our decision to leave the platform.
In conclusion, our decision to leave LinkedIn stemmed from the platform's lack of authentic content, poor support for video, and inability to foster meaningful discussions. As we focus on other platforms that better align with our goals, we will continue to evaluate our happiness and success in the coming year.
