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LinkedIn creator mode

LinkedIn creator mode was a profile setting that made Follow your default action instead of Connect, surfaced featured hashtags and content at the top of your profile, and unlocked creator tools like newsletters and live video.

Built and maintained by , founder of Liftli · last reviewed July 2026

Creator mode was LinkedIn's toggle for people who publish more than they network. Switching it on changed the primary button on your profile from Connect to Follow, so a visitor could subscribe to your content without asking to join your network. It also moved your Activity and Featured sections higher, let you list topics you post about, and gated access to tools like newsletters, LinkedIn Live, and profile link fields. The intent was to treat your profile as a content channel rather than a résumé.

This matters because a profile is where a viewer decides whether to follow you, and that decision happens fast. Making Follow the default lowers the friction between someone reading a good post and actually subscribing to more of it. LinkedIn has since folded many of these features into profiles by default and retired the standalone toggle, so the exact switch may not appear on your account, but the underlying behaviors, Follow-first, featured content, creator tools, are the substance worth understanding.

The misconception is that turning on creator mode boosts your reach. It does not change the algorithm. It changes how your profile converts the attention a good post already earned. The reach still comes from what you publish.

Frequently asked questions

What does LinkedIn creator mode actually do?
It makes Follow your profile's default button instead of Connect, so visitors can subscribe to your content without a connection request. It surfaces your featured topics, activity, and content higher on your profile, and it unlocks creator tools like newsletters and LinkedIn Live. It does not change the feed algorithm or give your posts more reach. It changes how your profile presents you and how easily a reader can follow you.

Should I turn on LinkedIn creator mode?
Turn it on if you publish regularly and want people to follow your content rather than only connect with you. Making Follow the default lowers friction between a good post and a new follower, which suits founders and creators. If you use LinkedIn mainly for one-to-one networking and outreach, the Connect-first default may serve you better. Note that LinkedIn has folded many creator features into profiles by default, so the toggle may not appear at all.

Does creator mode increase your reach?
No. Creator mode does not touch the algorithm or give your posts extra distribution. It changes your profile, Follow as the default button, featured topics, higher activity placement, and access to creator tools. Those affect how well your profile converts a visitor into a follower, not how far your posts travel. The reach still comes from the quality and consistency of what you publish, which is where the effort belongs.
Put it into practice

Profile Checker — See whether your profile actually converts a visitor into a follower. Open the free tool →

Related terms

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