You can’t escape AI – and now it might be destroying your LinkedIn presence. It’s crept into every aspect of business, transforming how we approach sales, marketing, design and pretty much everything in between.
The Limeys are fans of AI and the efficiencies it creates. What we’re not fans of is the way AI is slowly killing off authenticity online.
If you’re familiar with LinkedIn, you’ll be used to seeing hundreds of AI-generated posts. Some more obvious than others. But some users are taking it a step further and using AI tools to handle their engagement too.
LinkedIn has officially stated that it will reduce the visibility of comments made via automation tools. In a new update to its overview of comments on posts in the app, LinkedIn has now added: “To keep LinkedIn safe and professional, we may limit how many comments a member or a LinkedIn Page can make in a certain time period.”
This also applies to engagement-pods (a phrase that gives any social media expert nightmares), with LinkedIn now indicating that its algorithm is smarter at detecting those and may reduce their reach or even penalise them.
It’s not just LinkedIn’s algorithm that’s taking offence at this activity. Earlier this year, LinkedIn expert Richard Van Der Blom was invited to a roundtable discussion on the role of AI and LinkedIn. One of his key takeaways was the frustration in the group about AI-generated engagement:
“One of the biggest frustrations was the rise of AI-generated comments – sometimes insightful, often generic and increasingly everywhere. We all saw an increase since LinkedIn suggested AI to write comments. Many believe these AI comments dilute real engagement, making it harder to identify valuable conversation.”
So, what’s the alternative?
The answer is simple: go back to being human. Authentic engagement on LinkedIn doesn’t require fancy tools or growth hacks. It requires something far more valuable: your attention and expertise. Focus on these four principles:
- Be selective about what you engage with
You don’t need to comment on everything. Only engage with posts where you genuinely have something to add. Ask yourself: does this relate to my expertise? Do I have an experience worth sharing? Am I interested enough to start a real conversation? If the answer is no, scroll on. - Prioritise quality over quantity
Three to five genuine, thoughtful comments per week will do far more for your visibility and credibility than thirty AI-generated ones. LinkedIn’s algorithm now rewards meaningful engagement, not volume. A well-considered response that adds value to the conversation will always outperform a generic “Great post!” generated in seconds. - Make ‘not using AI’ your superpower
In a sea of automated responses, authenticity stands out like a beacon. Take the time to properly read someone’s post or article. Reference specific points they’ve made. Share a relevant experience or ask a genuine question. Your comment will cut through the noise of AI-generated fluff and actually get noticed by the people who matter. - Engage with intention, not obligation
LinkedIn isn’t a box-ticking exercise. Every comment you leave should serve a purpose, whether that’s building a relationship, demonstrating expertise or contributing to a conversation you care about. If you’re commenting just to be seen, it shows. And with LinkedIn’s algorithm getting smarter at detecting inauthentic behaviour, that approach will backfire.
In trying to save time with AI-generated engagement, users are actually wasting it. They’re investing effort into activity that LinkedIn is actively penalising, while simultaneously damaging their credibility with the very audience they’re trying to reach.
Authentic engagement might take longer, but it’s the only approach that actually works.
Ready to build authentic engagement that actually converts? Let’s talk.
If you’re struggling to build genuine engagement that drives real results, we can help. At Limegreen, we specialise in creating authentic thought leadership strategies that position you as a credible voice in your industry, without resorting to shortcuts or automation.
Whether you need support developing compelling content, identifying the right conversations to join or building a sustainable engagement approach that actually works, our team knows how to make LinkedIn work harder for you.
