LinkedIn Collaborative Articles combined AI-generated frameworks with expert contributions to create professional resources. These articles allowed industry experts to share insights, improving content quality and visibility. While LinkedIn no longer accepts new contributions or edits as of June 2025, the strategies for building expertise and engaging with the LinkedIn community remain useful for growing your professional presence.
Here’s what you need to know:
- How They Worked: AI generated article outlines on trending topics. Qualified professionals were invited to add insights based on their expertise.
- Why They Mattered: Contributors gained visibility, established authority, and expanded their networks through their input.
- Becoming a Contributor: Invitations were based on LinkedIn activity, profile completeness, and demonstrated expertise.
- Key Practices: Writing clear, actionable content and engaging with readers helped contributors stand out.
- What Changed: As of October 2025, Collaborative Articles are read-only, but the principles behind contributing can still guide LinkedIn content strategies.
Even though the feature is retired, focusing on quality content, active engagement, and leveraging tools like AI for LinkedIn content can help maintain a strong professional presence.
Leverage LinkedIn Collaborative Articles // with Jo Saunders
How to Become a LinkedIn Contributor
Becoming a contributor to LinkedIn Collaborative Articles isn’t about luck – it’s about how LinkedIn’s algorithm evaluates your professional profile and activity. The platform identifies professionals who consistently showcase expertise and engage meaningfully within their networks. There’s no public application process; instead, LinkedIn sends invitations to those it recognizes as experts. To get noticed, focus on building an active, polished profile that signals your authority in your field.
Optimize Your Profile for Contributor Invitations
Think of your LinkedIn profile as your digital business card – it’s how the algorithm gauges your expertise. A complete, detailed profile increases your chances of being seen as a subject matter expert. Start by ensuring these essentials are in place:
- Professional headshot: Use a clear, high-quality photo.
- Compelling headline: Highlight your expertise in a concise, attention-grabbing way.
- Detailed summary: Showcase your skills, achievements, and professional interests.
- Experience section: Go beyond job titles by including key accomplishments and areas of specialization.
Don’t overlook the importance of skills and endorsements. Add a robust list of skills that reflect your expertise, and encourage colleagues, clients, and peers to endorse you. Use industry-relevant keywords like content strategy, SEO optimization, or marketing automation to align your profile with topics LinkedIn often features in its collaborative articles. Recommendations from trusted professionals also help solidify your credibility.
Stay Active to Boost Your Visibility
Activity is crucial if you want to get on LinkedIn’s radar. Regularly share thoughtful posts, comment meaningfully on others’ content, and participate in industry discussions. This kind of engagement not only builds your network but also reinforces your expertise in LinkedIn’s eyes.
Posting original insights and commenting on trending topics within your industry are great ways to stay visible. When you engage with others’ posts, go beyond generic comments – offer a fresh perspective, ask questions, or share relevant experiences. Consider publishing long-form articles on LinkedIn’s platform to showcase your ability to create in-depth, valuable content. These actions help establish you as an authority and increase your chances of being invited to contribute.
How LinkedIn’s Recognition System Works
LinkedIn’s recognition system rewards contributors who consistently provide high-quality insights. One of the most visible markers of success is the Top Voice badge, which serves as a testament to your expertise and boosts your professional credibility.
This badge isn’t handed out based on the number of contributions alone. LinkedIn values the quality, relevance, and actionable nature of your insights. Contributors who deliver clear, practical advice and demonstrate expertise across related topics are more likely to earn this recognition. Engagement metrics – like how your audience interacts with your contributions – also play a big role.
Earning the Top Voice badge can open doors to more contributor invitations, greater profile visibility, and expanded professional opportunities. To stay in LinkedIn’s good graces, consistency is key. Regular participation matters far more than sporadic activity, so aim to engage steadily over time.
Writing High-Quality Contributions
Important Update: As of June 2025, LinkedIn stopped allowing new contributions and edits to Collaborative Articles. All existing content is now read-only [4]. However, understanding the strategies behind past contributions can still guide your approach to creating impactful LinkedIn content today.
Select the Right Collaborative Articles
In the past, choosing the right Collaborative Articles was crucial for maximizing both impact and visibility. LinkedIn selected contributors based on factors like profile strength, activity levels, and demonstrated expertise. These criteria were often drawn from skills, endorsements, job titles, and engagement metrics [1][2].
Contributors could find articles through skill pages grouped by competencies or by searching keywords and "how-to" questions in LinkedIn’s search bar. Personalized recommendations via feeds, notifications, and email also highlighted articles that matched a user’s professional background [1][2][3].
The key was to focus on articles where you could provide unique insights instead of generic advice. This approach helped establish credibility and build a strong professional reputation.
Write Clear and Actionable Content
The most effective contributions offered advice that readers could immediately put into practice. For instance, instead of a vague suggestion like "improve your email marketing", a better contribution might explain how to "segment your email list by engagement level and send targeted re-engagement campaigns to subscribers who haven’t opened emails in 30 days." This level of detail demonstrated real expertise.
Incorporating data, statistics, or case studies made contributions more impactful and credible. Balancing detail with brevity kept readers engaged while delivering meaningful insights. A tone that was both confident and approachable made the advice feel reliable and easy to follow.
Engage Thoughtfully After Submission
Submitting content was just the first step – engaging with readers was equally important. Thoughtful responses to comments, addressing questions, and encouraging discussions not only enhanced visibility but also helped build professional connections. Active participation established a recognizable voice, leading to greater visibility and more opportunities.
Successful contributors used each submission as a chance to showcase expertise while offering clear, actionable advice. They avoided overly promotional language, focusing instead on providing genuine value.
These principles for crafting clear, actionable content naturally tie into leveraging AI tools to refine your LinkedIn presence further.
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Using AI Tools to Improve Your Contributions
AI tools have become a game-changer for creating and managing LinkedIn content, making it easier to produce posts that connect with your audience. These platforms simplify the process of crafting updates and tracking their performance, helping you stay relevant and engaging on LinkedIn.
How Closely Supports Research and Writing
Tools like Closely can streamline your LinkedIn content creation. With its AI-powered personalization, Closely analyzes engagement data and suggests topics that align with your audience’s preferences. This means less time spent guessing what will resonate and more time focusing on impactful ideas. It also offers web research features to pull together relevant insights, saving you from hours of manual digging.
Another standout feature is Closely’s data enrichment tools, which provide detailed context about your network. With this information, you can pinpoint the topics and formats that work best for different segments of your audience. This approach ensures your posts or articles are tailored to your goals while remaining relevant to your followers.
Monitor Your Performance for Better Results
Tracking how your LinkedIn content performs is essential for improving your strategy. With advanced analytics and a unified inbox, Closely gives you a clear picture of what’s working. You can easily see which posts generate meaningful interactions and refine your approach based on these insights.
Closely also offers campaign performance tracking, giving you a broader view of how your content strategy impacts your personal brand and network growth. By understanding these metrics, you can fine-tune your efforts and get the most out of the platform.
Pros and Cons of Using Closely
AI tools like Closely come with both advantages and limitations. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Benefits | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Saves Time: Automates research and content creation, speeding up workflows | Credit Limits: Monthly caps on AI personalizations (500 to 2,500+ based on your plan) can restrict frequent users |
| Actionable Insights: Provides analytics to guide your content strategy | Learning Curve: Takes time to get comfortable with the platform and its features |
| Consistency: Simplifies regular posting through automation | Human Review Needed: AI suggestions require editing to maintain authenticity |
| Multichannel Integration: Links LinkedIn activity with email outreach and other channels | Dependency on LinkedIn: Relies on LinkedIn’s API, which could change over time |
| Scalable Personalization: Offers tailored content recommendations for varying audience groups | Cost: Subscription fees ($49–$350+ per month) may be steep for some users |
While Closely can significantly streamline your LinkedIn content process, it’s not a substitute for human creativity. Customizing AI-generated ideas ensures your content reflects your professional voice and expertise while still benefiting from the tool’s efficiency and insights.
For professionals juggling multiple LinkedIn accounts or managing agencies, Closely’s team management features and white-label options make it easier to maintain consistent messaging across various profiles. By integrating tools like Closely into your workflow, you can elevate your LinkedIn presence while staying true to your unique style and goals.
Increase Your Visibility and Engagement
Creating quality content is just the first step. To truly make an impact, you need to actively promote your work and build genuine connections within your community. The more effectively you extend your reach and spark meaningful discussions, the greater your contribution’s influence will be.
Share Your Work Across Multiple Platforms
Promoting your content beyond LinkedIn is key to reaching a broader audience. Share your articles on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and relevant industry forums. When posting, write unique descriptions that highlight the most valuable parts of your insights.
Email newsletters are another great way to distribute your work. Include links to your recent contributions in updates to clients or your professional network. Frame these as helpful resources, explaining how your insights can address their needs or challenges.
Don’t overlook internal company channels. Sharing your articles in team Slack groups, company-wide newsletters, or meetings can position you as a go-to expert within your workplace.
Timing matters too. Post on LinkedIn during peak hours, such as 8–10 AM or 12–2 PM EST on weekdays, for maximum visibility. Follow up with additional engagement 24–48 hours later to keep the momentum going.
Build Connections Within the LinkedIn Community
Promoting your work externally is important, but engaging directly on LinkedIn can elevate your profile even further. Start by responding to comments on your posts within 24 hours. Thoughtful replies and follow-up questions can encourage deeper conversations and boost your visibility. Tagging relevant connections can also help broaden the discussion.
Collaborate with other LinkedIn contributors in your field, especially those who write about related topics. By engaging with their content, you not only build relationships but also increase the likelihood of them sharing your work with their networks.
When building your LinkedIn connections, focus on quality. Look for professionals whose expertise complements yours and who are likely to share your insights. Personalize your connection requests by referencing specific points from their contributions to show genuine interest.
LinkedIn groups are another excellent way to expand your reach. Join groups that align with your article topics and share your work there. Provide context about why your insights are relevant to the group’s interests, and point out specific sections that address common challenges being discussed.
Use US Formatting and Style for Clarity
Tailoring your content to US standards not only makes your message clearer but also enhances your professional image.
- Dates: Use formats like "MM/DD/YYYY" or "December 15, 2024" for clarity.
- Currency: Write amounts as "$1,500" with a dollar sign and comma separators.
- Measurements: Use imperial units like "miles", "pounds", and "degrees Fahrenheit." For technical fields, stick to metric units if standard but provide conversions when helpful.
- Spelling: Opt for American spellings, such as "optimize", "analyze", and "color." This aligns with LinkedIn’s US-based algorithm and audience preferences.
- Time Zones: Always specify time zones (e.g., EST, PST) when mentioning times, keeping in mind that LinkedIn users span multiple zones.
Key Takeaways for Contributors in 2025
Important Update: As of October 16, 2025, LinkedIn has officially retired new contributions and edits to Collaborative Articles. All previous contributions are now read-only [4].
While you can no longer contribute to Collaborative Articles, the strategies that made them successful still hold immense value for your overall LinkedIn activity. Core practices like optimizing your profile, creating high-quality content, and actively engaging with the LinkedIn community remain just as relevant. These principles, once pivotal for Collaborative Articles, now serve as a foundation for broader LinkedIn content strategies.
Content quality remains a top priority. Whether you’re writing posts, articles, or comments, focus on providing clear, actionable insights that address real-world challenges. The research and writing techniques that worked for Collaborative Articles can now elevate all your LinkedIn content. Similarly, the elements that drove recognition – showcasing expertise, maintaining consistent activity, and fostering community engagement – are still essential for building a strong professional presence.
AI tools like Closely continue to play a key role. Use them to research trends, refine your writing, and track the performance of your content. Understanding engagement patterns and fine-tuning your approach can significantly enhance your professional brand.
With Collaborative Articles no longer an option, community engagement takes center stage. Strengthen your network by actively participating in conversations – commenting thoughtfully, sharing valuable content, and building personal connections. The same networking habits that worked for Collaborative Article contributors, like responding to comments promptly and engaging with others’ posts, are now critical for growing your presence on LinkedIn.
Going forward, focus on crafting original articles, engaging posts, and meaningful comments that highlight your expertise. The skills and connections you developed as a Collaborative Article contributor – industry knowledge, writing ability, and community involvement – will continue to pave the way for your LinkedIn success, albeit through different formats.
FAQs
How can I maintain a strong LinkedIn presence now that Collaborative Articles are no longer editable?
Even though Collaborative Articles are now read-only, you can still strengthen your LinkedIn presence by focusing on creating and sharing meaningful, original content while staying active in your professional circles. Share insights, industry news, and actionable advice that aligns with your audience’s interests to establish yourself as a trusted voice in your field.
Take the time to engage with others by leaving thoughtful comments on their posts, joining conversations, and recognizing their accomplishments. These interactions not only nurture relationships but also boost your visibility across the platform. The secret to making a lasting impression? Stay consistent and genuine in everything you share and do on LinkedIn.
How can AI tools like Closely help improve my LinkedIn content and boost professional visibility?
AI tools like Closely can take your LinkedIn content strategy to the next level by helping you create meaningful contributions to LinkedIn Collaborative Articles. These tools fine-tune your ideas, making your insights sharp, polished, and engaging.
Using AI, you can spot trending topics, optimize your posts for maximum visibility, and craft messages that connect with your audience. This not only boosts your professional reputation but also positions you as a go-to expert in your field. With the right AI assistance, your contributions can grab attention and spark valuable interactions within the LinkedIn community.
What are the best ways to engage with the LinkedIn community to increase visibility and grow your network?
To make a mark on LinkedIn and expand your network, focus on creating real connections through meaningful interactions. Take the time to leave thoughtful comments on posts that align with your expertise, and join discussions by sharing useful insights or practical advice. This approach not only helps build stronger relationships but also signals LinkedIn’s algorithm that your input matters, which can boost the visibility of your content.
Another way to grow your presence is by crafting original posts that inspire conversations. Share relatable stories, professional advice, or insights into industry trends to encourage engagement. Staying consistent is crucial – regularly interacting with others and posting well-thought-out content can help position you as a reliable and respected voice in your field.