I still remember the first time I tried to bold text in a LinkedIn post. I had crafted what felt like the perfect hook, hit publish… and watched it disappear into a sea of grey paragraphs. No emphasis, no structure, nothing that made the message stand out. I went looking for the bold button, scrolling through every corner of the editor, only to realise LinkedIn doesn’t offer one.
If you’ve been there too, you’re not alone. Every week, thousands of people search for how to bold text in LinkedIn posts, convinced they must be missing a hidden feature. The truth is simpler: LinkedIn doesn’t support native formatting, but you can still bold text with the right tools.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the methods I use today, the limitations nobody talks about, and the formatting tricks that actually improve engagement and not just appearance.
3 Proven Methods to Bold Text in LinkedIn Posts
Method 1: Taplio Unicode Text Formatters (best method)
I’ve tried every “LinkedIn bold text” workaround over the years, but nothing feels as reliable as using a Unicode formatter. That’s why I always start with the Taplio LinkedIn Post Formatter, it converts regular text into bold, italic, or monospace characters that LinkedIn accepts without breaking the layout.
It works on desktop and mobile, and the text displays correctly in most device environments.
Here’s exactly how I use it:
- Type or paste your text into the formatter.
- Choose the bold or bold serif style.
- Tap “Copy.”
- Paste it directly into your LinkedIn post composer.
The result looks native, but behind the scenes, it's Unicode.
Method 2: Mobile Apps and Browser Extensions
When I’m writing posts on the go, I sometimes rely on apps instead of desktop tools. Mobile solutions work well if you often post from your phone and still want bold text in LinkedIn posts.
Here’s what has worked consistently:
Mobile Apps (iOS & Android)
- Fonts Art - simple Unicode converter for bold and italic.
- Cool Fonts for Instagram - works on LinkedIn too.
- Unicode Pad - gives you direct access to Unicode characters.
Browser Extensions (Chrome & Firefox)
- Fancy Text Generator extension
- Bold Text for LinkedIn™ (Chrome)
- Unicode Text Converter add-on
These tools sit one click away in your browser bar, which makes formatting faster when you write long posts.
Method 3: Copy-Paste from Pre-Formatted Sources
Before I used dedicated tools, I experimented with manual methods. They’re less practical but still useful when you just need a quick bold word for a single LinkedIn post.
Here are the ones that worked for me:
Character Map Utilities
Windows and macOS both include built-in Unicode character maps. You can copy bold-style Unicode characters (like 𝐁, 𝐨, 𝐥, 𝐝) and assemble your text manually.
Online Unicode Libraries
Sites like Unicode Explorer or Compart display every bold Unicode character available. I used them when I needed a rare style not offered by generators.
Quick Copy-Paste Techniques
Sometimes I simply kept a Notion page with common bold snippets:
- 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐝
- 𝘽𝙤𝙡𝙙
- 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗱
Copy the one you need and paste it straight into your LinkedIn composer.
Manual methods get the job done, but if you post often or care about consistency, the formatter method is faster and looks cleaner in the feed.
Why LinkedIn Doesn't Have Native Bold Text Options
I remember the first time I realised LinkedIn had no bold button. I kept clicking around the editor, convinced I had missed a hidden menu. But LinkedIn’s decision is intentional, and the logic becomes clear once you look under the hood.
LinkedIn avoids native bold formatting for a few reasons:
- Technical simplicity: The post composer uses plain text to keep loading times fast across devices. Bold text requires richer formatting, which complicates rendering on mobile and older browsers.
- Professional consistency: LinkedIn prefers a clean, uniform look. Bold, italics, and custom fonts could make the feed visually chaotic, especially when millions publish daily.
- Algorithm clarity: Plain text helps LinkedIn interpret keywords correctly. Unicode formatting works, but native styling could interfere with how posts are processed and ranked.
- Different rules for Articles: Long-form LinkedIn Articles do allow rich formatting because they behave like blog posts, not feed updates.
Critical Limitations You Must Know
Accessibility and Screen Reader Issues
Screen readers often cannot interpret Unicode bold characters. Instead of reading the words normally, they may skip them or read each symbol as gibberish. For visually impaired users, this means:
- Missing important context
- Losing continuity in the sentence
- Struggling to understand the main message
If you work in HR, consulting, education, or any field with compliance requirements, this becomes even more important. Accessibility is increasingly tied to legal frameworks in many countries, and inconsistent formatting can become a risk.
I now keep formatting minimal and rely on clarity instead.
Search and SEO Implications
I learned quickly that bold Unicode text looks good but can harm discoverability. Here’s why:
- LinkedIn search often ignores Unicode, meaning your “bold” keywords may not be indexed.
- Recruiters won’t find your post if your main keyword is formatted in bold instead of plain text.
- Professional visibility drops, especially for posts relying on industry terms or hashtags.
If LinkedIn SEO matters to you, keep essential keywords plain. For deeper optimisation, I use Taplio’s LinkedIn SEO guide
Device and Platform Compatibility
One thing I learned the hard way: bold text doesn’t look the same everywhere.
On some mobile devices, Unicode bold appears misaligned. Certain browsers replace characters with empty squares. And older operating systems may show encoding errors that make your post unreadable.
When formatting matters, always preview your post on both desktop and mobile.
Professional Best Practices and Guidelines
When to Use Bold Text (Strategic Applications)
Bold text works on LinkedIn when it guides the reader without taking over the entire post. I use it only when it adds clarity and makes the structure feel intentional rather than decorative.
Here are the situations where bold formatting makes sense:
- Headlines and section breaks: These help readers skim long posts and understand the flow instantly.
- Key statistics and numbers: Bold percentages or figures draw attention to the evidence behind your message.
- Call-to-action emphasis: Highlighting a short CTA gives your post a natural stopping point and increases interaction.
- Quote attribution: When referencing someone influential, bolding the name helps readers immediately identify the source.
When to Avoid Formatting (Critical Warnings)
There are also moments where bold text quietly damages visibility, clarity, or even credibility.
I avoid bold formatting when the sentence contains essential information or keywords I want LinkedIn to index. Unicode bold isn’t reliably searchable, so using it for important terms can reduce discoverability.
I also avoid bold text in any accessibility-critical content. Screen readers often skip or misread Unicode, which means part of your message may become inaccessible for visually impaired users. In industries where content must respect professional or legal compliance, stylised text can appear unprofessional or inconsistent with standards.
Finally, I avoid over-formatting. Too much bold text creates visual noise, breaks reading rhythm, and makes the post feel forced.
Alternative Engagement Strategies
Native LinkedIn Features for Emphasis
When I stopped relying only on bold text and started using LinkedIn’s built-in features, my posts became easier to read and performed better. The platform already gives you tools that create emphasis without causing accessibility or SEO issues.
Strategic line breaks help create rhythm and guide readers through long posts. I use spacing to separate ideas and make my content feel lighter on the feed. Bullet points and numbered lists are great when you want clarity without over-formatting, especially in instructional posts.
Emojis also help when used with intention. A single 🎯 or 📌 can highlight a key idea without looking childish. And when I want the message to stand out visually, I combine the text with native visuals like images, screenshots, or carousels. These formats tend to attract more attention than stylised text alone.
If you want to understand which formats your audience reacts to, Taplio’s analytics tool gives a breakdown of post performance.
Content Structure for Maximum Impact
I’ve learned that structure influences engagement more than formatting ever will.
The right hook makes readers stop scrolling, whether it’s a surprising fact, a relatable moment, or a short tension-building line. Clear visual hierarchy, short paragraphs, clean spacing, and intentional grouping, keeps people reading longer.
- Hooks that create curiosity or tension
- Clear hierarchy through short paragraphs and spacing
- Story formats that show experience over theory
These techniques consistently outperform any styling trick. When I’m planning a post, I revisit Taplio’s guide on LinkedIn content to refine the structure.
Formatting text on LinkedIn looks simple from the outside, yet it becomes confusing the moment you try to make a sentence stand out. I’ve gone through every workaround, every Unicode trick, and every mobile shortcut. What I learned is that bold text can help, but clarity, structure, and intention matter far more than any formatting hack. Using emphasis with intention makes your posts cleaner and easier to read on any device
If you want to experiment safely, start small, test on different screens, and keep your keywords plain so LinkedIn can index them. The right balance between formatting and structure will always outperform visual shortcuts.
Want to make experimentation easier? Try Taplio and see what works best for your posts.
FAQ
Can you make text bold on LinkedIn posts natively?
No. LinkedIn only supports plain text in posts. You need a Unicode text formatter to create bold characters.
Do LinkedIn text formatters work on mobile devices?
Yes. Formatters work on iPhone and Android, though some characters may display differently on older devices.
Is formatted text searchable on LinkedIn?
Usually not. LinkedIn often ignores Unicode bold in search results, so important keywords should stay plain.
Can Unicode formatting affect my LinkedIn account?
No. Unicode is safe to use. The only risk is readability, not account safety.
What happens if formatted text doesn’t display correctly?
It means the device can’t render the Unicode style. Switch back to plain text or try a simpler bold variation.
Are there free LinkedIn text formatting tools?
Yes. Taplio offers a free text formatter. Mobile apps and extensions also exist.
Does bold text improve LinkedIn post engagement?
It helps highlight key ideas, but engagement depends more on structure, clarity, and the hook.
Can I format text in LinkedIn messages and comments?
Yes. Unicode bold works in posts, comments, and DMs the same way.
How do I format text for LinkedIn on iPhone/Android?
Use a mobile app or open a formatter in your browser, convert your text, copy it, and paste it into the LinkedIn app.
What are the risks of using LinkedIn text formatting?
Screen readers may skip bold Unicode, LinkedIn may not index formatted keywords, and some devices may show broken characters.
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