Link∙Ability [IN]sights events

Gender Bias, AI and LinkedIn Visibility – What We Need to Know

Women across LinkedIn have been reporting sharp drops in visibility, engagement and reach, prompting questions about whether the platform deprioritises women’s content. In this conversation, researcher and Forbes contributor Geri Stengel joined Lynnaire Johnston to explore what gender-switch experiments, search-engine trends, and broader AI behaviour reveal about how women are seen – or not seen – online.

The discussion covered proxy bias, writing-style influences, topic restrictions in AI systems, and the economic impact when women’s expertise is less discoverable. Together they examined why this issue extends far beyond LinkedIn and into search engines, ad networks and online platforms worldwide.

The livestream concluded with practical steps for increasing visibility, strengthening advocacy, and supporting other women so their work is recognised and valued.

LinkedIn has undergone a structural shift in how content is evaluated and surfaced, with the introduction of its new AI engine layered over the existing algorithmic system. Instead of prioritising reach based on engagement tricks and posting patterns, the platform now evaluates the meaning and clarity of what we publish. This means that well-structured, topic-aligned content is performing better than short-form, reaction-chasing posts. For many creators, the decline in impressions and reactions during 2025 has felt abrupt, but it reflects a fundamental shift in how visibility is allocated across LinkedIn.

To adapt, creators must rethink not only how they write, but how they position themselves. The AI system now cross-references content with the user’s profile, making consistency across the headline, About section and Featured items essential. Staying within three to five clearly defined topic lanes is no longer a nice-to-have but a strategic necessity for discoverability. Engagement has also become the primary visibility strategy. Commenting widely across your network – including outside your existing circle – sends stronger signals to the system than posting alone. Posting and ghosting now works against you.

Finally, success on LinkedIn increasingly depends on building meaningful interaction networks. Small, engaged micro-communities are now outperforming large but passive follower counts. Meanwhile, evergreen formats such as articles, newsletters and multi-platform content (for example YouTube and Substack) are growing in importance because they are discoverable outside LinkedIn’s walled environment. The new landscape rewards clarity of message, credibility in positioning and contribution to the wider conversation. Creators who embrace these shifts now will be better positioned for stronger discoverability and authority in 2026.

As organic reach on LinkedIn continues to fall, understanding how to turn visibility into real-world results has never been more important. In this energising Link∙Ability [IN]sights session, Lynnaire Johnston explores what it takes to turn everyday LinkedIn activity into genuine opportunities – for work, clients, and collaboration. She reveals why engagement has now overtaken posting as the most effective visibility strategy and how to build credibility by showing what you know, not just sharing what others say.

Lynnaire highlights the shift from content-first to connection-first strategies, explaining why networking is LinkedIn’s true superpower – and the bridge between being seen and being hired. She shares practical ways to spark meaningful conversations, nurture trust, and stand out in an AI-saturated world where relationships are the ultimate differentiator.

From rethinking your profile and engagement habits to expanding your reach beyond LinkedIn through AI and repurposed content, this session offers a roadmap for professionals ready to make their online presence work harder. 

In this Link∙Ability [IN]sights livestream, Lynnaire Johnston was joined by LinkedIn expert Brynne Tillman for a timely conversation about safety on the platform. Together they explored why LinkedIn account shutdowns are increasing, how Chrome extensions and automated activity are being flagged by AI, and what users can do to protect themselves.

The discussion covered:

• The risks of account restrictions and how to avoid them
• Grey areas such as engagement pods and bulk messaging
• Practical steps to recognise and reduce spam and impersonation attempts
• How trust, authenticity and value-driven engagement are more important than ever in the age of AI

Brynne also shared insights on content ownership, Microsoft’s evolving terms of service, and how AI is shaping both opportunity and risk on LinkedIn.

This livestream featured Lynnaire Johnston in conversation with Fanny Dunagan about the rise of podcasts and their value as “trust accelerators” that build authentic connections with audiences. She shared research showing steady global growth in podcast listenership across all generations, with genres ranging from comedy and true crime to news and education.

Fanny explained how businesses can use podcasts to establish authority, highlighting success factors such as clarity of purpose, consistency, and simple tech setups to get started. Marketing strategies discussed included repurposing long-form episodes into short clips for platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, and newsletters, with AI tools now streamlining editing, summaries, and distribution.

We finished with encouragement that podcasting, while a long-term commitment, can generate visibility, community, and new opportunities for both individuals and businesses.

View the Podcast trends PDF here

On this Link∙Ability [IN]sights livestream, we tackled one of the biggest frustrations LinkedIn users face today: falling reach and declining visibility.

With fake profiles on the rise, AI-generated content filling feeds, and engagement pods manufacturing attention, trust and authenticity are under real pressure. Many people are even leaving LinkedIn altogether for platforms like Substack.

But as Lynnaire Johnston and her guests explored, chasing the algorithm is not the answer. No matter how much we try to optimise or second-guess it, the system will always shift under our feet. True visibility comes from building genuine relationships – connections rooted in trust, generosity, and consistency.

Guests Roy Kowarski, Sigrid de Kaste, and Felipé Cofino shared lessons from in-person networking, online communities, and recruitment, showing how the same principles of authentic connection apply just as powerfully on LinkedIn. The discussion highlighted practical ways to cut through the noise, remain visible, and build credibility that lasts longer than any algorithmic boost.

The conversation closed with a forward-looking perspective: LinkedIn, AI, and user expectations are all evolving rapidly, making it essential to continually refine skills and strategies. For Lynnaire, the competitive edge in an increasingly AI-driven landscape will belong to those who combine technology’s efficiencies with genuine relationship-building. The livestream served as both a practical guide and a reminder that the ultimate goal on LinkedIn is connection – something no algorithm can fully replicate.

Our latest Link∙Ability [IN]sights livestream explored one of the year’s most confounding topics – effective use of AI on LinkedIn.

Drawing on eight months of hands-on experimentation, host Lynnaire Johnston shared how she moved from scepticism to fully integrating AI into her LinkedIn strategy. She outlined the areas where AI is making a tangible difference – from content creation and event repurposing to analytics, skills development, and profile optimisation – while cautioning against the common pitfalls of blandness, inaccuracies, and lack of specificity.

Participants were given a tour of practical AI uses that go beyond the obvious, including developing brand voice guidelines, building a story bank, generating headlines that stop the scroll, and enhancing semantic search visibility. Lynnaire also demonstrated how AI can support engagement strategies, image creation, and event promotion, always with the caveat that human authenticity must remain central. She emphasised that AI should be treated as a tool to serve us, not the other way around, and that strategic prompts and iteration are key to achieving results that sound and feel human.

The conversation closed with a forward-looking perspective: LinkedIn, AI, and user expectations are all evolving rapidly, making it essential to continually refine skills and strategies. For Lynnaire, the competitive edge in an increasingly AI-driven landscape will belong to those who combine technology’s efficiencies with genuine relationship-building. The livestream served as both a practical guide and a reminder that the ultimate goal on LinkedIn is connection – something no algorithm can fully replicate.

Reinventing Yourself on LinkedIn: A Mid-Career Guide to Career Change, Visibility and Confidence with Jane Jackson.

Navigating mid-career change can be overwhelming – especially when it’s unexpected. In this practical and inspiring session, LinkedIn specialist Lynnaire Johnston is joined by career coach and author Jane Jackson to explore how to reposition yourself confidently after redundancy, reinvention, or a change in direction. The conversation was prompted by the growing number of professionals in their 40s, 50s and 60s facing job loss and wondering, “What’s next?”

Jane shared a wealth of insight drawn from helping thousands of professionals at career crossroads. She outlined the importance of self-reflection, transferable skills, career storytelling, and building a job search strategy that works in today’s AI-filtered world. Together, Jane and Lynnaire also explored the power of LinkedIn’s lesser-known features – including project sections, native video, and the often-missed opportunity to comment on company page posts.

Whether you’re actively job seeking or simply preparing for future possibilities, this session is full of practical advice and confidence-boosting strategies. Expect real-world examples, thoughtful perspectives, and a strong focus on visibility, clarity, and purpose at any stage of your career.

Summary here.

LinkedIn expert Kevin D. Turner joined Lynnaire Johnston for this edition of Link∙Ability [IN]sights to debunk some of the most persistent myths still circulating about the platform in 2025.

From hashtags and algorithms to automation tools and verification, this lively and informative session tackled the LinkedIn “lies that just won’t die” and why they continue to mislead even experienced users.

Kevin shared deep behind-the-scenes insight into how LinkedIn actually works, including the existence of dozens of competing algorithms, the reasons behind declining reach, and how automation tools are triggering account restrictions.

He also revealed what’s really indexed by search engines, why company pages still matter, and how to prompt re-indexing manually.

The discussion included practical advice on posting cadence, engagement signals, AI tools, and how LinkedIn’s new video feed is being used (and misunderstood).

Watch the replay for a much clearer understanding of what’s true, what’s outdated, and where to focus your efforts for better visibility and impact on LinkedIn.

Summary available here.

Human First AI: The Real Skill Set Shift You Need to Make

In this Link∙Ability [IN]sights livestream, Lynnaire Johnston is joined by UK-based marketing mentor Richard Dawson to explore a critical shift in the way we approach artificial intelligence – by putting the human first. Together, they unpack how AI is transforming business models, decision-making, and content creation, and why it’s no longer enough to treat it like just another tech tool.

Richard shares his own journey from early adoption to structured strategy, explaining how AI should be used to amplify human capabilities, not replace them. The discussion introduces three essential human differentiators – trust, integration, and taste – and shows how professionals can reposition themselves to stay relevant, valuable, and visible in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Lynnaire also highlights the risks of relying too heavily on generic AI-generated content, particularly on platforms like LinkedIn, and offers a practical approach to maintaining authenticity by working with AI off-platform. The conversation wraps with advice on being “recommendable” in AI search, and how businesses can upskill strategically without losing the human touch that builds real connection.

Use guest Richard Dawson’s marketing and AI skills to make your business AI-ready with these downloadable PDF's.

AI Strategy Clarity: The Intentional Clarity RESET
Overwhelmed by the hype around AI? Learn how to cut through the noise and build a purposeful AI strategy that amplifies your human strengths. Also, how to adopt the right tools, integrate them without losing your voice, and walk away with a clear action plan tailored to your business.

Marketing & Positioning Clarity: The Intentional Clarity RESET
Struggling to explain what you do or attract the right clients? The Marketing Mentor will help you clarify your market position, message, and content strategy so your marketing actually feels aligned. Get a practical roadmap to connect with the right people in a way that feels authentic – and works.

Turning Connections into Business – How to Build Real Relationships on LinkedIn

In this Link∙Ability [IN]sights livestream, host Lynnaire Johnston is joined by long-time LinkedIn trainer and relationship marketing expert Joanne Funch to explore how to turn online connections into real business relationships. Together, they break down why people buy (and why they don’t), how to build trust through your profile and messaging, and the importance of warm outreach.

Joanne shares practical, real-world tips from her own network-nurturing approach – built not on mass numbers, but on meaningful, long-term connections that consistently generate referrals and repeat business.

Whether you’re struggling with follow-up, unsure how to start a conversation, or simply wondering how to stand out in a sea of spammy DMs, this conversation offers a thoughtful and authentic roadmap.

How to make your LinkedIn profile unforgettable

Many people – from jobseekers to board members – are not using LinkedIn well. And that starts with their profile. If you’re updating yours to make it recruiter or boardroom ready – watch this livestream to hear about new features that will make you stand out from others.

We also discuss whether you should use AI to write yours, the power of video for authentic engagement, recommendations vs reviews and more.

Our guest was top Australian profile writer, Karen Tisdell.

LinkedIn new features and changes for profiles in 2024-25

Event topic: How to gain visibility on LinkedIn

Visibility on LinkedIn can take many forms and starts with your profile. It also takes in engagement, content, and direct messaging which are the 3 aspects of visibility covered in this livestream.

In this event 3 experts talk about how to overcome low reach on content and share tips and ideas that allow us to get in front of our ideal audience.

LinkedIn® new features and updates:

• GIFs removed from messaging
• Further blocking of fancy fonts in profiles
• Grow followers faster with auto invites
• ‘Where you appeared’ metric

Read and download the new features pdf that accompanies this event.

Event topic: the LinkedIn algorithm

• Highlights from the 2025 report
• Top-Performing Content Formats
• Format and Engagement Tips
• Content That Builds Visibility