In a recent LinkedIn post, Alicia Teltz, who identifies as ex-LinkedIn, offers a detailed breakdown of recent significant changes to the platform’s content algorithm. Teltz clarifies that these insights are confirmed by LinkedIn’s own leadership, specifically referencing comments from Tim Jurka, VP of Engineering, and Hristo Danchev, who is responsible for LinkedIn’s LLM. The core of Teltz’s analysis centers on how the platform is moving away from a purely network-centric model towards a more personalized, ‘For You’ page-like experience.
The Mechanics of the New Algorithm
According to Teltz, the algorithm has evolved into what is described as a ‘hybrid complementary relevance solution.’ This involves a unified retrieval system and a sequential ranking model that leverage LinkedIn’s GPU fleet to create a high-quality representation of content. Teltz explains this in simpler terms:
“The feed now behaves more like a ‘For You’ page. LinkedIn has become less network-based and more persona-based distribution.”
This shift means that content is increasingly shown to users based on their perceived interests and online persona, rather than solely on who they are connected to within the network. Teltz elaborates on the ‘Proactive’ and ‘Reactive’ elements of this new system.
Proactive Distribution
On the proactive side, Teltz notes that LinkedIn’s Large Language Model (LLM) analyzes a user’s profile, their posting habits, and their engagement patterns. This data is then used to group users with others who exhibit similar characteristics. Consequently, content is distributed not just to a user’s immediate network but to these identified ‘similar’ user groups.
Reactive Filtering
Conversely, Teltz points out the ‘Reactive’ aspect, where LinkedIn is actively working to reduce the prevalence of repetitive, clickbait-driven posts and content designed purely to bait engagement. This includes filtering out things like irrelevant videos or recycled posts that lack genuine insight.
Why the Algorithm Change? Business Imperatives
Teltz posits that the motivation behind these significant algorithmic adjustments is multi-faceted, driven by both user experience and business objectives. The post highlights that LinkedIn has seen a surge in content creation, partly due to the rise of personal branding as a core marketing channel and the ease of content generation with AI tools.
However, this content explosion has led to a less manageable and often ‘messy’ feed, negatively impacting the user experience. Teltz connects this to LinkedIn’s status as a substantial company owned by Microsoft, implying shareholder expectations for sustainable revenue. As Teltz explains:
“A better user experience means more user sign-ups, more frequent logins, longer dwell time. Which gives LinkedIn more opportunities to sell its products.”
Therefore, improving the user experience is seen as a direct pathway to increased engagement, which in turn creates more opportunities for LinkedIn to monetize its platform through its various products and services.
Potential Risks and Creator Strategies
Despite the business logic, Teltz raises concerns about the potential downsides of this new algorithm, particularly for certain user segments. The post suggests that the shift could be detrimental to founders and sellers, who often rely heavily on content for their sales efforts and constitute a significant portion of content creators.
Alicia Teltz argues that many creators may become disheartened if their content doesn’t reach their target audience, potentially leading them to seek alternative platforms like Substack. This could result in a less vibrant content ecosystem on LinkedIn itself.
“LinkedIn risks an empty feed. Which makes it even harder to activate corporate voices to put out content.”
To navigate these changes, Teltz offers actionable advice for content creators aiming to maintain visibility. Key recommendations include optimizing one’s profile with relevant keywords and skills, engaging intentionally with the ‘right personas,’ and consistently creating high-quality content that offers unique insights or addresses industry trends relevant to the target audience.
Teltz concludes by noting that the provided breakdown is a simplified overview and that deeper considerations are necessary, hinting at further discussion in a forthcoming Masterclass.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Alicia Teltz on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on March 18, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →