Cadence #61 - Are LinkedIn Collaborative Articles (and Badges) Worth It? (2024)

LinkedIn collaborative articles are a unique feature where articles are created through a group effort on the LinkedIn platform.

These articles are designed to harness the collective knowledge and expertise of LinkedIn members on a wide range of topics.

How are they "made"?

The process begins with an initial draft generated by LinkedIn’s AI. This draft serves as a foundation, covering a broad topic or specialized subject.

LinkedIn members are then invited to contribute to these articles. They can add their insights, experiences, and expertise to enhance and expand the initial content. Contributions can include various perspectives, practical advice, and detailed information that adds depth to the article.

When you contribute to a collaborative article:

• Your input becomes visible to other LinkedIn members, both within and outside your network.
• Other users can "vote" on your contribution by liking or reacting to it.
• Unlike regular posts, you cannot add comments to specific contributions within these articles.

Should your contributions receive enough interactions in the space, you can earn "badges" that you can display on your profile.

These are known as Community Top Voice Badges.

This light gold badge appears on your LinkedIn profile under your headline if your contributions receive significant engagement (likes and reactions). It’s awarded based on your active and valuable participation in specific topics.

These badges are temporary, lasting 60 days, and can be revoked if LinkedIn's professional conduct policies are violated.

See Also

How to Write Great LinkedIn Articles (With Examples)difference between LinkedIn Articles and LinkedIn PostsStrategic Insights: How Often to Post on LinkedIn for Optimal Engagement • Grow Your Personal Brand On LinkedInHow Long Should a LinkedIn Post Be? The Complete Guide

Are they worth the squeeze?

Looking at my data from May 1st 2023 to May 31st 2024, the period in which I had 5 LinkedIn badges saw no discernible spikes in engagement, follower count, or any improvement in InMail response rates.

After experimenting with collaborative articles, my verdict is that if you have enough expertise to contribute to these articles, you likely have enough expertise to create and share your own content through more effective LinkedIn mediums like short-form posts and newsletters (like the one you’re currently reading).

Over the 397 names I maintained a consistent posting schedule to make the testing period as fair as possible.

This way, you create evergreen content that permanently enhances your personal brand and thought leadership on your profile page.