If you haven’t already, it’s time to check out the latest feature on your LinkedIn profile – the LinkedIn Featured section. This latest element is a powerful tool you can use to appeal to top clients, potential employers, and recruiters. Best of all, you’ll have it set up in a matter of just a few clicks.
What is the Featured Section and Where can I Find it?
The LinkedIn Featured section is a new area of the LinkedIn profile that you’ll find just below your About section. In this section, you can highlight the work you are most proud of. You can include as many posts or samples as you’d like and you can edit or remove them at any time.
This section is different from the Activity section of your profile because you control what is showcased and in what order. The Activity section is automatically generated based on your activity over the previous 45 days and will feature the most recent activity first. Featured content is also displayed much more prominently, and each item receives more than 10 times as much space.
What Types of Content can I add to my Featured Section and How do I add it?
You can add posts, articles, links, and images to your Featured section. The process for adding each one is slightly different but you start by clicking on the ‘add featured’ text as seen above.
Once you click here, you will be presented with a drop-down menu.
1. Posts – select the first option, Posts, to add a post you’ve created on LinkedIn. When you click on the first option, you will see a popup with all of your past LinkedIn posts beginning with the most recently posted. Click on the star below the image to add to your Featured section and then click done.
2. Articles – select the second option, Articles, to add an article you’ve published on LinkedIn. When you click on the second option, you will see a popup with all of your past LinkedIn articles beginning with the most recently published. Click on the star below the image to add to your Featured section and then click done.
3. Links – select the third option, Links, to add a link to work stored on a website. When you click on the third option, you will see a popup that says ‘add link’, paste your link here. Once your link is pasted, click ‘Add’. You will then be redirected to a preview where you can edit the title and description. Update those, then click ‘save’.
4. Media – select the final option, Media, to add media files. When you click on the final option, your files will automatically appear and you can select a file from your computer to upload. Once your media file is selected, click ‘Add’. You will then be redirected to a preview where you can edit the title and description. Update those, then click ‘save’.
How Did That Get There?!
(What if there’s already content in my featured section?)
If you check your LinkedIn profile and you already have content in your Featured section, fear not – you are not losing your mind. This content was likely automatically generated by LinkedIn from links you included in your About section prior to the launch of this new feature.
If you’d like to add additional content to your Featured section, simply click the plus sign in the upper right hand corner of the section and you will get the same drop down options mentioned in the previous section.
If you’d like to delete or edit content from your featured section, click on the pencil icon in the upper right hand corner of the Featured section. You’ll see a popup that offers you the opportunity to delete or edit a content piece (you’ll see the options right under the image). If you select ‘delete’, you’ll be asked to confirm. If you select ‘edit’ you can modify the title and description of the content piece.
How can I use the Featured Section to Elevate my LinkedIn Profile?
Think of your LinkedIn Featured section as a place to share your industry insights or as a living portfolio. Use it as an opportunity to showcase your best work across multiple platforms and content types. You can switch it up as often as you’d like to keep things fresh. Offer a variety of content to appeal to all of your potential clients, employers, recruiters, or leads. A powerful and compelling featured section is a key factor in creating a great LinkedIn profile.