Where I stand on LinkedIn Engagement Pods

When I first got serious about LinkedIn, someone introduced me to engagement pods.

At the time, they seemed like a lifeline.

Pods gave my posts more likes, more comments, and more reach.

And for a while, it felt like they were working.

But over time, I started to notice the cracks.

Eventually, I quit pods, and it was a tough adjustment.

My reach plummeted, my feed became chaotic, and I realised I had no idea what content actually resonated with my audience.

It was like starting from scratch.

If you’ve used pods - or even thought about it - I get it.

I’ve been there.

This isn’t about judgment; it’s about sharing what I’ve learned and offering ideas that might help.

What is an Engagement Pod?

An engagement pod is a group - sometimes with hundreds, or even thousands of people - who coordinate to like, comment on, or share each other’s posts. It can be automated, but it is about blowing up your posts to gain visibility.

The goal is to inflate metrics like likes and comments make posts appear more popular than they really are.

Why People Use Pods

Let’s stop pretending all pod users are the villains of LinkedIn, not all of them are.

Most people who use pods aren’t trying to cheat or deceive - they’re trying to make a living.

• Maybe they’re solopreneurs or small business owners struggling to get noticed.
• Maybe they’ve spent hours crafting posts, only for them to disappear into the void with no response.
• Maybe they’ve been told that engagement is the key to success, and pods seem like the only way to compete.

Pods feel like a way to level the playing field.

And if you’ve ever felt invisible on LinkedIn, you can probably understand the temptation.

But not all engagement is a pod.

A few connections liking, commenting and supporting each other on your post because they genuinely want to support you is just how networks work. Similarly, engaging with others’ posts and in the hopes of receiving engagement back is a natural part of building relationships online - not manipulation. I encourage that organic support.

But paying for engagement, obligations to engage, these are go beyond supporting people into organised manipulation. 

The key difference lies in intent and scale.

Does Early Engagement Matter?

It’s true, the first 15-30 minutes after you post are critical.

This is when the algorithm decides whether to show your content to more people.

In recent post, LinkedIn also encouraged colleagues and peers to support each other and their company page. So, even LinkedIn makes a differentiation between support and mass co-ordination.

You don’t need massive numbers to make an impact.

A handful of likes and comments - is often enough to give your post the nudge it needs. You don't need to pay to join a pod or sign up for an automation tool.

The trouble comes when people game the system with 100, 500, or even 1,000 likes and comments within minutes. These brute force tactics can manipulate the algorithm into boosting content far beyond what it naturally deserves.

Why does this matter?

• It skews your audience. The algorithm prioritises showing content to those who engage with it early. If those people aren’t your target audience, your posts may never reach the right people.
• It distorts your feedback. Inflated engagement doesn’t tell you what your audience values, so it’s harder to create content that resonates.
• It damages credibility. Over-the-top engagement can look fake, and people notice. It’s hard to build trust when your numbers don’t align with reality.

The Difference Between Small-Scale and Brute Force Tactics

There’s a big difference between someone trying to get likes and comments to gain visibility and using bots or automation deceive people into believing you're an influencer.

• The first is often naïve and frustrated, a small business owner or solopreneur just trying to get noticed.
• The second is premeditated and deceptive - designed to brute force the algorithm into boosting content.

The troubling part is that brute force tactics work.

Drop 200 likes and comments in 20 minutes, and the algorithm will rapidly push the post to a wider audience. This then fuels real engagement.

Once real people start engaging, the cycle feeds itself.

People who aren’t using these tactics look at their posts - maybe with a small number of likes - and feel like they’re failing.

It creates an impossible standard, making others feel inadequate when their content doesn’t go as far.

This isn’t just frustrating; it’s discouraging.

The widespread use of bots and other large-scale tactics is making LinkedIn a less authentic, less encouraging space for the average user.

The Problem with Calling Out Culture

Calling out pod users has become its own kind of toxic behaviour.

Posts shaming pod users often get tons of likes and comments because they’re divisive.

But let’s be real - those posts thrive on judgment, not value.

Most people using pods are just trying to figure things out.

They’re working hard, trying to support their families or grow their businesses.

Publicly shaming them doesn’t help - it humiliates.

It pushes people away instead of opening up a conversation.

If you’re genuinely against pods, attacking the people using them isn’t the answer.

That in itself is a toxic form behaviour and I've know a pod user who was plunged into a mental health crisis had to step back from her business because some big shot decided to run a sustained campaign against her.

Instead of piling on, let’s offer support, guidance, and better options.

This isn’t about pointing fingers.

It’s about asking, why do so many people feel like pods are their only option?

Is it because algorithms now make it harder?

Is it because a small number of influencers take up all the Oxygen?

Is it because social media is becoming performative rather than relational?

Yes to these and more.

Why pods aren't the answer

I get why pods feel like a solution.

But after quitting, I realised they weren’t doing me any favours:

• Pods didn’t help me reach the right people. My posts were stuck in a loop with other pod members.
• Pods gave me false feedback. I thought my content was working when it wasn’t.
• Pods weren’t sustainable. When I stopped, my visibility dropped because the engagement wasn’t real.

It wasn’t easy, but stepping away forced me to focus on building a stronger network and creating content that genuinely resonated with my audience.

What I Use Instead

For a long time now, I’ve relied on something that’s been far more effective for me, LinkedIn Influencer Ads.

Here’s why I’ve stuck with them:

• Targeted reach. With Influencer Ads, I can ensure my posts are seen by exactly the right people - my target audience.
• Sustainable growth. Unlike pods, where engagement disappears the moment you stop participating, Influencer Ads help me consistently reach new audiences and build genuine connections.
• Real results. Over time, this approach has helped me grow my presence and connect with the right people. It’s not a quick fix, but it’s worth it.

If you’re looking for a way to grow authentically and sustainably, Influencer Ads are the best tool I’ve found.

Where I Stand Now

Here’s where I land:

• Pods? I don’t recommend them. The short-term boost isn’t worth the long-term damage to your reach, audience, and credibility.
• A couple of likes or comments early on? Anything you can do to get them, that's cool, but keep it human. The best way is to make friend on the platform.

If you’ve been tempted by pods, I understand.

But let’s focus on real solutions: better content and stronger networks.

And if you’ve been shaming pod users for engagement, maybe it’s time to reflect.