Marketing Consultant
Last week, we ran a LinkedIn poll to our 54,000 followers tackle a topic that has sparked plenty of debate across professional circles: ‘Are personal updates appropriate for LinkedIn?’
From weddings and graduations to personal challenges and major life events, more and more users are sharing personal milestones on the platform. Some find these posts inspiring and relatable, while others argue that LinkedIn should remain strictly professional.
The response to our poll was overwhelming, with voting pouring in minutes after us posting the poll, with opinions from executive recruiters, product managers, marketing managers and other senior professionals across various industries.
Here’s what we found:
Poll results: What do professionals think about personal posts on LinkedIn?
- Yes, personal posts build connections – 9%
- Sometimes, if work-related – 38%
- No, keep it professional – 47%
- I am undecided – 6%
The results reveal a clear divide in opinion, with the majority, almost half, preferring to keep LinkedIn professional, while more than a third believes that personal updates have a place, provided they relate to work in some way. Let’s break down these perspectives.
1. Personal posts on LinkedIn can build connections – A minority view
Only 9% of respondents believe that personal updates, no matter the context, add value to LinkedIn. This group argues that sharing personal moments fosters authenticity, strengthens professional relationships, and allows colleagues to connect on a deeper level.
Proponents of this view suggest that in an increasingly digital workplace, humanising your professional presence can lead to stronger networking opportunities and even career growth.
2. The balanced approach: It depends on context
A considerable 38% of voters support the idea that personal updates are appropriate only when they have a work-related angle. This could mean celebrating work anniversaries, sharing career lessons learned from personal experiences, or highlighting achievements that contribute to professional development.
For example, a post about overcoming a personal challenge might be well-received if it ties into resilience in the workplace or leadership growth. However, general personal updates, such as a birthday celebration or holiday photos, might be better suited to other social platforms.
3. The majority opinion: Keep LinkedIn professional
The largest group (47%) believes that LinkedIn should remain strictly professional. These respondents see LinkedIn as a platform for career growth, industry insights and networking rather than personal storytelling.
Their argument is that mixing personal and professional content dilutes the purpose of LinkedIn and shifts attention away from job-related discussions, industry trends and career opportunities. Many in this camp feel that keeping personal updates off LinkedIn maintains a level of professionalism expected in the workplace.
4. The undecided: A small but notable percentage
The 6% of respondents who remain undecided reflect the evolving nature of LinkedIn as a platform. With shifting workplace cultures and a growing emphasis on authenticity, some professionals are still figuring out where they stand on the personal vs. professional debate.
Key takeaways for posting on LinkedIn
- Know your audience: Consider your network and the purpose of your post before sharing personal updates.
- Strike a balance: If sharing personal content, tie it back to professional growth, career lessons or industry insights.
- Respect platform norms: While LinkedIn is evolving, it remains primarily a professional space. Keeping content relevant to career-related discussions ensures it serves its primary purpose.
- Engage thoughtfully: Whether you support or oppose personal updates on LinkedIn, engaging in constructive discussions helps shape the platform’s culture.
Conclusion on personal posts on LinkedIn
Our recent poll made it clear, that professionals on LinkedIn prefer to maintain the platform’s identity, but opinions vary on how personal it should be. As professional landscapes evolve, so too will LinkedIn etiquette. For now, the safest approach is to stay mindful of content relevance and professional appropriateness while engaging meaningfully with your network.
As a specialist recruitment agency in Product Management, UX, UI & Product Design, Marketing, eCommerce and Executive Search, we’d love to hear your opinions or advise you. Send us your CV or let us know if you need to hire.
