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Is LinkedIn Dead? How AI Spam Killed Engagement

LinkedIn Used to Be Gold. Now It’s Just Noise.

Few years ago, LinkedIn was the only place to find a job, build a network, and establish credibility. Today users delete their LinkedIn accounts, turn off notifications or… well, keep overloading the platform with AI-generated content.

linkedin networking pages and groups to find leads

by Irina Potok

CEO & Founder at Hire Virtuals

The Brutal Truth About LinkedIn in 2025

LinkedIn used to be the go-to platform for professionals where real networking, job hunting, and industry discussions happened. But today? It’s drowning in AI-generated fluff, fake gurus, and DMs spam.

Reddit users agree:

So, is LinkedIn dead? Not yet, but it’s drowning in AI-generated fluff, fake expertise, and engagement-baiting spam. Even the article about Dead LinkedIn is fully written by AI:

The real question: How do you cut through the noise and make LinkedIn work for you in 2025?

1. Stop Using AI Like a Crutch

❌ Copy-pasting ChatGPT posts with no personal touch.

✅ Use AI for ideas & structure, then add:

Personal stories (“Here’s how we failed before succeeding”)
Real data (“Our A/B test proved this works, see the results”)
Controversial (but true) takes (“Most ‘AI experts’ are faking it, here’s how it actually works”)

2. Use LinkedIn Posts That Still Work in 2025

A. “Behind the Scenes” Stories

“How we lost $10K on a failed ad campaign (and what we learned)”

B. Contrarian Takes

“Why most LinkedIn ‘growth hacks’ are bullshit”

C. Data-Backed Insights

“We tested 50 LinkedIn DM templates and 3 of them actually worked”

3. Network Without Looking Like a Spammer

❌ “Hey [First Name], let’s connect!”

✅ “Hi [Name], I saw your post on [specific topic]. I liked your point about [specific insight]. We’re doing something similar at [Your Company], and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Would be happy to chat if you’re open to it!”

4. Use LinkedIn Algorithm Hack

LinkedIn’s algorithm prioritizes:

✅ Dwell time (People stop scrolling to read your post)
✅ Meaningful replies (Not just “Great post”but real discussions)
✅ Shares from credible people (Not just random connections)

How to trigger this:

Ask a polarizing question (“Is LinkedIn dead? Comment ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ and I’ll argue with you”)
Post at 7–9 AM EST (When professionals check LinkedIn)
Engage with comments fast (First hour is make-or-break for reach)

The #1 Mistake Killing Your LinkedIn Growth

❌ Mistake: Treating LinkedIn like a billboard, not a networking event.

✅ The Fix:

If you’re posting generic AI content, share personal stories and hot takes instead.
If you’re ignoring comments, reply within an hour to boost engagement.
If you’re sending spammy DMs, write hyper-personalized messages.
If you’re only posting and never engaging, spend 10 minutes per day commenting on others’ posts.
If you’re chasing virality instead of connections, focus on building real relationships.

Your LinkedIn Revival Plan (30-Day Challenge)

Week 1: Delete AI fluff from your profile and rewrite your bio in a human voice.
Week 2: Comment on 5 posts per day with thoughtful replies (not “Great post!”).
Week 3: Post 3 “Behind the Scenes” stories (failures, lessons, real data).
Week 4: DM 5 people per week with personalized messages (no pitches).

Expected Results: