“Wait, isn’t adding links on LinkedIn supposed to hurt reach?”

You’ve probably heard it (or maybe even believed it): putting links in your LinkedIn posts kills engagement. Algorithms hate links. Always post them in the comments. Never in the caption. Right?

Well, LinkedIn has officially flipped the script and the data proves it.

The Big Reveal: Posts With Links Perform Better

In a recent internal study, LinkedIn revealed that posts containing links actually generate 13% more engagement than posts without them.

That’s not a rumor. That’s coming straight from the source.

LinkedIn analysed 10,000 posts across a variety of industries and formats, and the takeaway is clear:

Links don’t hurt your reach, they help spark action.

So… Why Did Everyone Think Links Were Bad?

Because algorithms are complicated. And rumors spread faster than facts.

For years, marketers and creators avoided placing links in their captions. The theory was that LinkedIn deprioritized posts with external links to keep users on-platform.

Some creators even gamified it:

• “Link in first comment!”
• “DM me for the link”
• “No link here, just vibes. 🫠”

But now, we know better. And more importantly: we have data to back it up.

Why Links Boost Engagement (According to Logic and LinkedIn)

It turns out, value and clarity win—even in an algorithmic world.

Here’s why adding links might be working in your favour:

1. Links Create Action

People want next steps. Whether it’s reading more, signing up, or exploring a product. And links give your audience somewhere to go.

2. Value-Driven Posts Perform Better

If your link delivers value (think: a helpful guide, webinar, article, or tool), it naturally fuels more clicks, shares, and saves.

3. LinkedIn is Getting Smarter

LinkedIn’s algorithm now better evaluates the total value of a post: engagement, clicks, AND dwell time, not just whether it keeps someone on the platform.

But Don’t Just Take Their Word For It…

Try this:

Next time you post something valuable like a blog, lead magnet, case study, or event, include the link directly in the caption.

Watch what happens.

💡 Bonus tip: Use a short, curiosity-piquing line before the link:

• “This changed how we approach B2B content → [link]”
• “We broke it all down here: [link]”
• “If you’re in marketing, read this. Full article → [link]”

Link Isn’t a Free Pass

Let’s be real: slapping a link on a boring post won’t magically boost your numbers. The magic happens when:

• The copy hooks attention
• The value is clear
• The link leads somewhere worth clicking

And if you’re writing posts that sound like ChatGPT wrote them in 2023? That’s the real engagement killer.

What This Means for Your Strategy

This isn’t just a formatting update—it’s a mindset shift. It means you can:

✅ Be more transparent with your audience
✅ Stop dancing around the link-in-comments trick
✅ Focus on delivering real value, not gaming the system

And if you’re a brand trying to drive traffic from LinkedIn, this is a green light to do so without sacrificing reach.

What We’re Doing at Let’s Go Media

We’re running experiments with our own content strategy and clients based on this shift.
Already, we’ve seen stronger engagement and cleaner user journeys especially when the link adds clear value and aligns with the copy.

📈 One post even outperformed its “linkless” version by 26%.
(Marketing folks: yes, we’re tracking everything.)

What You Need to Know

• LinkedIn found that adding a link boosts engagement by 13%
• You don’t need to hide links in comments anymore
• Valuable, actionable content + clear links = win
• Try, test, and see how your audience responds

Want Help Making LinkedIn Work for You?

At Let’s Go Media, we help brands create content that gets clicks and conversions, without sacrificing authenticity.

🎯 Need help building a LinkedIn strategy that drives real traffic?
Let’s chat → https://letsgomedia.ai

Don’t hide your best content.
Share it—and link it.