LinkedIn Creator Mode has evolved from a simple toggle to a robust set of tools designed to help professionals grow their audience, share content, and generate leads. In 2024, LinkedIn retired the "Creator Mode" toggle, but its features – like newsletters, enhanced analytics, and AI-driven audience matching – are fully available in 2025. Here’s what you need to know:
- Key Features: Newsletters, video tools, advanced analytics, and a "follow-first" profile layout that prioritizes your content.
- AI Integration: LinkedIn now uses profile keywords to connect your expertise with relevant audiences, replacing hashtags.
- Who Benefits: Ideal for B2B professionals, marketers, sales teams, founders, and recruiters aiming to build authority and generate leads.
- Profile Optimization: Focus on a clear headline, a strong About section, measurable results in Experience, and a 30-second video introduction.
- Follow-First Profiles: Emphasize followers over connections, allowing unlimited growth and better visibility for your content.
With 92 consumers for every 1 creator on LinkedIn, the platform offers significant opportunities for professionals who consistently share valuable content. This guide shows how to optimize your profile, use creator tools effectively, and integrate automation for better results.
LinkedIn Creator Mode Update 2025: How to Use Creator Tools Now (Full Guide)
Preparing Your Profile for Creator Tools
LinkedIn Creator Mode vs Traditional Profile: Key Differences Comparison
Your profile should act as a powerful conversion tool. Visitors need to immediately grasp who you help, what you do, and why they should follow you.
Profile Completeness Checklist
A complete profile not only satisfies LinkedIn’s algorithm but also leaves a strong impression on visitors who decide in seconds whether to engage. Here’s what you need to focus on:
- Professional photo and headline: Your photo should be clear and professional. As your headline shows up in search results, comments, and connection requests, make sure it clearly communicates your value.
- The About section: Use three concise paragraphs to explain the problem you solve, your unique approach, and a clear call to action. Avoid generic phrases like "passionate professional." Instead, be specific. For instance, say, "I help B2B SaaS founders cut customer acquisition costs by 20–30% using lifecycle analytics" [1].
- Experience and Featured sections: Focus on measurable results. In the Experience section, replace vague job descriptions with 3–5 bullet points showcasing outcomes, including "before and after" metrics [1]. Use the Featured section to pin three key items: a "start here" post introducing your perspective, your best case study or client result, and your latest newsletter issue [1].
- 30-second video cover story: Add a short video introduction. When uploaded, it creates an orange or purple ring around your profile photo, signaling viewers to click and watch [4].
These elements ensure your profile aligns with LinkedIn’s creator tools, setting you up for better engagement and visibility.
Positioning for Your Niche
LinkedIn’s AI scans your profile – About, Experience, Education, and Skills – to understand your expertise and connect you with the right audience [2]. With hashtags removed, optimizing your profile with relevant keywords is more critical than ever.
Start with your headline. Follow this formula: [Who you help] + [Outcome] + [Proof]. For example, "Helping B2B SaaS founders cut customer acquisition costs by 20–30% using lifecycle analytics" immediately communicates your target market, your value, and your expertise [1].
You can also select up to five topics (hashtags) to appear below your headline. These topics help LinkedIn position your content within relevant conversations and surface it to your ideal audience.
For the About section, write it as a Point of View (POV) statement. Instead of generic claims like "results-driven", share your unique perspective or framework for addressing industry challenges [1].
These updates ensure your profile is tailored for a creator-focused approach, boosting engagement and lead generation.
Creator Profiles vs. Traditional Profiles
Understanding how creator mode changes your profile layout is key to leveraging its benefits.
When you activate creator mode, your profile layout shifts significantly. The Featured and Activity sections move to the top, while the About section gets pushed further down [2][4]. This layout highlights your content, making it ideal for building thought leadership.
The primary action button also changes – from "Connect" to "Follow". While connections are limited to 30,000, followers are unlimited and displayed as an exact number (instead of "500+"), offering clear social proof as your audience grows [2]. Users can still connect by clicking the "More" button and selecting "Connect", but the default encourages following your content.
Your Activity feed also gets an upgrade. In creator mode, only your original posts and shared content appear, while likes and comments on others’ posts are hidden [2][4]. This makes it easier for visitors to focus on your expertise and content style.
| Feature | Traditional Profile | Creator-Focused Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Button | Connect (requires approval) | Follow (instant subscription) |
| Top Sections | About, Experience | Featured, Activity |
| Activity Feed | Shows all likes, comments, posts | Shows only original content |
| Discovery | Based on connections/network | AI-driven keywords and topics |
| Analytics | Basic profile views/search hits | Content performance and demographics |
If you’re job hunting or building a close network of connections, stick with a traditional profile. But if your goal is to build authority, generate leads, or establish yourself as a thought leader, a creator-focused profile is the way to go. For sales and marketing professionals, this approach amplifies visibility and delivers tangible results [2].
How to Activate and Configure Creator Features
Once you’ve optimized your profile for creator tools, it’s time to activate and set up Creator Mode. Head to the Resources section on your profile, toggle on Creator Mode, and follow the step-by-step prompts.
Enabling Creator Tools and Follow-First Profiles
When you enable Creator Mode, LinkedIn will ask you to choose up to five hashtags that represent your expertise. These hashtags appear below your profile headline and help LinkedIn’s algorithm understand your niche. Be strategic with your selections – these tags influence how your content reaches the right audience.
After selecting your hashtags, click "Save" to switch your profile to a follow-first layout. This changes the primary button on your profile from "Connect" to "Follow", making it easier for people to follow your updates without sending a connection request. If you want to tweak this later, go to Settings > Visibility > Make Follow Primary.
As of 2025, many creator tools, like newsletters and analytics, are now part of standard LinkedIn profiles. However, the follow-first setting remains crucial for growing your audience. With about 92 consumers for every content creator on LinkedIn, this is a prime opportunity to stand out.
Verifying Creator Features Are Active
To make sure everything is running smoothly, follow these steps:
- Check Your Profile View: Use a secondary account or LinkedIn’s "View as" feature to confirm that the "Follow" button is the primary call-to-action. Your follower count should appear below your headline, replacing the traditional "500+ connections."
- Confirm Creator Mode Settings: Go to Me > View Profile > Resources and ensure the Creator Mode toggle is switched "On." You should also see access to creator analytics.
- Review Your Activity Section: Your Activity section should display only your original content – posts, videos, and articles – not your likes or comments on others’ updates. If you see six of your recent posts, your profile is correctly configured.
Compare these settings with a traditional profile to see how the creator-focused features enhance your visibility and engagement.
Follow-First vs. Connect-First Profiles
Understanding the difference between follow-first and connect-first profiles is key to leveraging Creator Mode effectively. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which approach aligns with your goals:
| Feature | Follow-First (Creator Mode) | Connect-First (Traditional) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Button | Follow | Connect |
| Profile Layout | Highlights Featured & Activity sections at the top | Prioritizes the About section |
| Growth Speed | Faster, with fewer barriers for new followers | Slower, requiring manual connection approvals |
| Inbox Management | Streamlined; followers can’t message directly | Higher volume of connection requests and DMs |
| Follower Count | Publicly visible under your headline | Hidden, showing only "500+ connections" |
| Best Use Case | Ideal for thought leaders, speakers, and marketers | Suited for recruiters, job seekers, and one-on-one sales efforts |
If you’re actively searching for a job or want a more direct network for sales conversations, the connect-first layout might be better for you. On the other hand, if your goal is to establish thought leadership, generate leads, or build authority in your niche, the follow-first profile can deliver results faster. In fact, many users have reported a 50% boost in platform conversations thanks to the improved content visibility Creator Mode offers[4].
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Optimizing Creator Mode Settings and Tools
Once you’ve activated Creator Mode on LinkedIn, it’s time to fine-tune your settings to boost engagement and attract the right audience. Leveraging LinkedIn’s creator tools is a key step in turning your profile into a lead-generation powerhouse.
Selecting the Right Hashtags
The five hashtags you choose for your profile appear directly under your headline, helping LinkedIn’s algorithm identify your area of expertise. For professionals in the US B2B space, hashtags like #b2bsales, #salesautomation, #demandgen, or #revops can connect you with an audience that’s actively searching for insights in these areas.
"Hashtags no longer function as a strong discovery lever; use a few, but prioritize clear topics, search-friendly headlines, and consistency." – Atul Kumar Mishra [1]
Try the "3+2" hashtag strategy: pick three broad hashtags (like #b2bsales) and two that are more niche-specific (like #revops). Keep in mind that LinkedIn’s AI now places greater emphasis on keywords in your About, Experience, and Skills sections than on static hashtags. Make sure those sections are packed with relevant, industry-specific terms [2]. And don’t forget to stay updated on trending topics in your field to keep your hashtags relevant.
Using Creator Tools
LinkedIn offers a variety of creator tools, including newsletters, LinkedIn Live, and analytics, each tailored to different goals. Here’s how to make the most of them:
- Newsletters: Use these to establish authority and maintain audience interest. A well-named newsletter (e.g., "Revenue Architecture Weekly") that’s published every 10–14 days can help you stay top-of-mind with your audience via feed notifications and direct emails [1].
- Short-Form Video: A 30-second Cover Story video introduces you to profile visitors, while 30–90 second clips work well for regular posts. Add subtitles and make the first two lines attention-grabbing. LinkedIn is prioritizing short, creator-led videos, so this format gets a visibility boost in the algorithm [1]. For US-based B2B audiences, aim to post during business hours on Tuesday through Thursday mornings for the best engagement [3].
- Engagement Focus: Pay attention to the quality of interactions. Comments with thoughtful questions or detailed context are more valuable than simple likes. Track how your content drives profile visits and conversions into direct messages. With only 1% of LinkedIn’s 1 billion users creating regular content, yet generating over 9 billion impressions weekly, consistent posting is a massive opportunity [5].
Creator Tools Comparison
Here’s a breakdown to help you decide where to focus your efforts:
| Tool | Primary Goal | Recommended Frequency | Required Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newsletters | Lead Generation & Retention | Bi-weekly (Every 10–14 days) | Intermediate (Writing/Strategy) |
| LinkedIn Live | Awareness & Trust Building | Monthly or Event-based | High (Public Speaking/Tech) |
| Brief Video Clips | Engagement & Authority | 1–2 times per week | Intermediate (Editing/Delivery) |
| Analytics | Strategy Optimization | Weekly Review | Low (Data Interpretation) |
To keep your content strategy balanced, follow the 5-3-2 rule: out of every 10 posts, create 5 educational posts that provide value, 3 posts that establish your authority (like case studies or proof of expertise), and 2 promotional posts with direct offers. This approach keeps your audience engaged while positioning you as a trusted resource, not just another salesperson [6].
Connecting Creator Mode with AI-Powered Sales Using Closely
Aligning Creator Activity with Sales Goals
Creator Mode turns your LinkedIn profile into more than just a resume – it becomes a hub for building authority. By sharing newsletters, videos, and thought leadership posts, you increase your visibility and engagement. This activity makes your audience more open to personalized communication. At the same time, Closely’s AI-powered tools work behind the scenes to send targeted, one-on-one connection requests to key followers. This combination transforms passive viewers into active sales leads [8]. Together, these elements lay the groundwork for effective multichannel campaigns.
Using Closely for Multichannel Campaigns
Closely takes your Creator Mode activity beyond LinkedIn. Its tools, like the email finder, phone scraper, and unified inbox, make it easy to integrate LinkedIn outreach with email campaigns. Plus, it syncs seamlessly with CRMs such as HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive. Users have reported a 35% boost in response rates and saved an average of 10 hours per week on manual prospecting by using Closely’s automation features [7].
"Closely is a powerful tool for anyone looking to enhance their sales engagement. The platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it accessible even for those who are not tech-savvy." – Antonio D., Digital Strategist & Coach [7]
Analytics and Workflow Integration
Closely doesn’t just help with outreach – it also provides detailed analytics to measure performance. By combining LinkedIn analytics with Closely’s tracking tools, you can fine-tune your outreach strategy. For example, you can identify which content themes resonate most with your audience and turn profile views into direct messages. Track key metrics like how many profile views result in DMs, how many newsletter subscribers accept connection requests, and how many followers schedule meetings. On average, active users of Closely see a 45% increase in pipeline opportunities, offering a clear link between Creator Mode activity and revenue growth [7].
| Creator Mode Feature | Closely Integration Benefit |
|---|---|
| Newsletters | Extract subscriber data to launch automated follow-ups [7] |
| Follow Button | Grow your audience and send targeted connection requests to key followers [7] |
| Profile Video | Use AI to reference video themes, building trust in your messages [7] |
| Analytics | Pinpoint engaging job titles and segment leads for tailored AI-driven outreach [7] |
Conclusion
LinkedIn Creator Mode has grown into a powerful tool for professionals, offering more than just a simple toggle. With only a small percentage of users actively creating content[2], there’s a huge opportunity to stand out, build authority, and engage with your audience. Features like newsletters, LinkedIn Live, and advanced analytics, combined with the platform’s follow-first model, provide everything you need to turn your profile into a lead-generation machine.
Here’s what to focus on: refine your profile to highlight your best content, post regularly, and choose topics that align with LinkedIn’s algorithm to connect you with the right audience. A well-optimized profile is the first step toward leveraging automation effectively.
The real game-changer, however, lies in blending organic reach with smart automation. By pairing Creator Mode’s audience-building tools with platforms like Closely, you create a system that works tirelessly on your behalf. Your content establishes trust and visibility, while Closely handles personalized follow-ups through LinkedIn messages, emails, and phone calls – all seamlessly integrated with your CRM.
As Atul Kumar Mishra puts it:
"Creator Mode is no longer a toggle – it’s a strategy. In 2025, the winning playbook is simple: design a trustworthy profile, publish consistent, useful ideas, run a lightweight newsletter, engage where your buyers already pay attention." – Atul Kumar Mishra[1]
Success on LinkedIn isn’t just about posting content – it’s about creating systems that turn profile views into real business opportunities. Start with a polished profile, activate your creator tools, publish meaningful content consistently, and let smart automation handle the rest. This combination of organic reach and intelligent outreach is what drives results that truly matter.
FAQs
How does LinkedIn’s AI help match my content with the right audience in Creator Mode?
LinkedIn’s AI dives into the keywords and topics across your profile – sections like About, Experience, Education, Certifications, and Skills. Using this data, it matches your expertise with users whose interests and search behaviors align with what you offer. When you activate Creator Mode, this process helps your content reach a more relevant audience, boosting both your visibility and engagement.
What are the advantages of using a follow-first profile layout on LinkedIn?
A follow-first profile layout swaps the usual "Connect" button for a "Follow" button, making it simpler for people to keep up with your content without needing to send a connection request. This small change lowers the barriers for audience growth and helps boost the visibility of your posts. Plus, your follower count is prominently displayed on your profile, adding an extra layer of social proof and reinforcing your credibility.
Here’s another perk: when someone sends you a connection request while Creator Mode is enabled, they automatically follow you – even if you decide not to accept their request. This allows them to continue engaging with your content. On top of that, LinkedIn’s algorithm tends to prioritize creators, potentially showcasing your profile as a suggested creator to help you reach more people.
This layout isn’t just about numbers; it’s about impact. It helps expand your audience, bolsters your professional image, and establishes your profile as a go-to space for sharing insights and expertise.
How can I use LinkedIn newsletters to build authority and grow my audience?
LinkedIn newsletters are a powerful tool for building your reputation as an expert and growing a dedicated audience. To get started, enable Creator Mode on your profile. This feature unlocks the newsletter option, allowing you to share your insights regularly. Pick a focused, niche topic that aligns with your expertise, and commit to a consistent publishing schedule – whether weekly or bi-weekly – to keep your readers coming back.
When crafting your newsletter, prioritize delivering value. Kick off each edition with an engaging introduction that highlights a relevant challenge or trend your audience cares about. Follow this with practical advice or insights they can apply. Use LinkedIn’s analytics tools to monitor performance and fine-tune your content based on what resonates most with your readers.
To grow your subscriber base, promote your newsletter effectively. Share it on your LinkedIn feed, include a subscription link in your Featured section, and actively engage with readers in the comments. Regular interaction not only builds trust but also strengthens your position as a go-to voice in your industry.