LinkedIn has more than 930 million members, yet less than 3% post. Not because they lack ideas, but because the platform feels confusing the moment you try to publish something. I remember staring at the interface, wondering why a simple update suddenly felt like a test.
What most people don’t realise is that posting takes less than two minutes once you know where to click. The real friction is the uncertainty:
- Desktop or mobile
- “Start a post” or “Share your thoughts,”
- Text or photo
- What happens after you publish.
This guide walks you through all of it. You’ll learn how to post from any device and what helps a post actually reach people. By the end, you’ll feel confident sharing your first update and understanding how visibility works.
Quick answer: The fastest way to post on LinkedIn
When someone asks me how to post on LinkedIn or how to post something on LinkedIn, I always start with the fastest method. If you need to publish right now and don’t want the long explanation, here’s the simple version I wish I had the first time.
On desktop, the process is quick:
- Click “Start a post” at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
- Type your text in the box.
- Choose who can see it (Anyone, Connections, or a custom audience).
- Click “Post.”
On mobile, it’s just as simple:
- Tap the “Post” icon in the main navigation bar.
- Write your update.
- Pick your audience.
- Tap “Post.”
A LinkedIn post allows up to 3,000 characters, which is more than enough for a short update or a simple thought. Creating a basic text post usually takes 2 to 3 minutes, even if it’s your very first time or if you’re searching “how do I post on LinkedIn” on Google while doing it.
If you want help writing your first post, the Taplio LinkedIn Post Formatter can make it easier.
Understanding LinkedIn’s posting interface
Where to find the share box on desktop
On the desktop, your main posting area is the share box. It sits at the top of your LinkedIn homepage and feed, and you’ll recognise it as a white box with the “Start a post” button.
If you don’t see it, you can also click “Post” in the top navigation bar. LinkedIn opens the same window, which helps when the homepage loads slowly.
One thing new users often miss: posting from your personal profile is different from posting on a company page. Personal posts show up in your network’s feed. Company posts stay under the business page. If your goal is to build your personal brand, publish from your own feed.
If you want inspiration for your first desktop post, Taplio’s content ideas can help.
How to access posting on mobile devices
On mobile, the interface changes, but the process stays fast. Whether people search “how do I post on LinkedIn” or “how to post something on LinkedIn,” this is usually what they need:
- LinkedIn mobile app: Tap the “Post” icon (a plus sign) in the bottom or top navigation bar.
- Mobile browser: The layout looks slightly simpler, but the “Post” icon stays visible in the main menu.
- LinkedIn Lite: The posting flow is the same, just lighter and faster on slow connections.
Once you tap the icon, LinkedIn opens the same writing box where you can add text, images, or videos.
Step-by-step: How to create your first LinkedIn post on desktop
When people ask me how to post on LinkedIn on desktop, I always walk them through this simple sequence. It removes all the guesswork, especially if you’re still wondering “how do I post on LinkedIn for the first time?” or “how to post something on LinkedIn without messing it up?”
Here are the exact steps I use:
- Step 1: Click “Start a post” inside the share box at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
- Step 2: Type your message in the field that says “What do you want to talk about?” You can write up to 3,000 characters here. For longer content, use the article publishing platform.
- Step 3: Open the audience dropdown and choose who will see your post (Anyone, Connections, or a custom group).
- Step 4: Add optional elements if you want:
- Photos
- Videos
- Mentions (@someone)
- Step 5: Read your post one last time and click “Post.”
NB: Hashtags on LinkedIn are useless, no need to use them.
And if you realise your message is too long for a regular post, LinkedIn’s article format gives you more space and better structure for long content.
Using the “draft with AI” feature
The “Draft with AI” option sits right inside the share box, next to the “Start a post” button. You give LinkedIn a short prompt, and the tool suggests a draft with a clear structure and a professional tone.
I use it when I’m stuck, need help starting, or want a cleaner version of what I wrote. It’s useful for quick ideas, simple outlines, and moments when the blank box feels heavier than expected.
Step-by-step: How to post on LinkedIn mobile
My first LinkedIn post actually happened on mobile, not desktop. I didn’t know where to tap at first, so I get why many people search “how to post on LinkedIn on mobile.” The steps are simple when you see them laid out clearly.
- Step 1: Tap the “Post” icon in the LinkedIn app navigation bar.
- Step 2: Type your message inside the “Share your thoughts” field. (This is the same box you see on desktop)
- Step 3: Use the camera icon to add photos or videos directly from your device.
- Step 4: Select your audience (Anyone, Connections, or a custom group).
- Step 5: Tap “Post” to publish immediately.
You can also plan mobile content ahead of time using the Taplio scheduler.
Mobile-specific posting features
Posting from mobile comes with a few useful extras. You can open your camera inside the app and capture a photo or video on the spot, which is perfect for quick updates. The voice-to-text option helps when you want to speak instead of typing.
Formatting is slightly limited compared to desktop, but LinkedIn auto-saves your draft, so you can start on your phone and finish on your laptop without losing anything.
Types of content you can post on LinkedIn
Once you know how to post on LinkedIn, the next question is usually what to share. LinkedIn gives you several formats, and each one fits a different type of message.
- Text posts work for short thoughts, questions, and quick updates (up to 3,000 characters).
- Photo posts let you upload one image or a small set of up to nine photos.
- Video posts get strong visibility, especially when uploaded directly.
- Document posts let you share PDFs or slides people can swipe through
- Articles are better for long content that needs structure and more space.
- Polls help you get fast feedback with simple multiple-choice answers.
- Celebration posts highlight milestones like new roles or work anniversaries, and LinkedIn formats them for you.
If you want ideas for what to share, Taplio has a full library of examples you can explore.
How to add photos and videos
Click or tap the photo/video icon in the share box. You can upload files or capture something new. Choose the layout for photos or a thumbnail for videos before posting.
Creating polls and celebrations
Polls sit under “More.” Add your question, up to four options, and select the duration.
Celebrations are even simpler, pick the occasion and LinkedIn builds the visual.
Sharing documents and articles
You can share PDFs or slides by selecting “Add a document,” and if you want to create long-form content that stays on your profile, choose “Write article.”
LinkedIn post privacy and visibility settings
When you learn how to post on LinkedIn, it helps to understand who will actually see your content. LinkedIn gives you a few visibility options, and choosing the right one makes posting feel less stressful.
The first option is Anyone, which makes your post public. This works well when you want to reach a large audience. If your X/Twitter account is linked, you’ll also see Anyone + Twitter.
The second option is Connections only, which limits visibility to people already in your network. I use this when the update feels more personal.
You can adjust your default audience inside the posting window, which saves time if you prefer posting the same way each time. Anyone who can see your post can also comment or share it, depending on your settings.
How to post without notifying followers
People often ask if there’s a way to post quietly on LinkedIn. The truth is: there isn’t. LinkedIn doesn’t offer a real “post without notifying followers” option. Once you publish, the algorithm decides who sees it.
You can reduce early visibility by posting during calmer times:
- early mornings
- late evenings
- weekends
And remember: profile updates trigger notifications, but regular posts do not.
LinkedIn posting best practices for maximum engagement
Once you learn how to post on LinkedIn, the next step is getting people to actually see your content. I found out the hard way that timing and structure matter just as much as the message itself.
LinkedIn engagement is highest during the week. The best posting windows are Tuesday to Thursday, between 9 AM and 11 AM, when your network is active and more likely to interact early. Early engagement often decides how far your post travels.
Post length also makes a difference. Updates between 1,200 and 1,600 characters tend to perform well because they’re long enough to give value but still easy to read. The hook, the first one or two sentences, matters most. If it doesn’t grab attention, people won’t tap “see more.” Adding a photo can also help, since visual posts often get more reactions than plain text.
Writing compelling LinkedIn hooks
- start with a question or a surprising fact
- avoid generic openings
- use short line breaks
- test different styles
Tagging people and companies
- tag only people who are relevant
- mention companies when they are part of the story
- remember tags notify others and extend your reach
Common mistakes to avoid when posting on LinkedIn
When you learn how to post on LinkedIn, the mistakes usually show up before the wins. I made most of them myself. The good news is they’re easy to avoid once you know what to watch for.
Here are the ones I see most often:
- Posts that feel too promotional. When every update sounds like an ad, people scroll past. Your post needs a clear takeaway or something useful for the reader.
- Publishing and disappearing. When you ignore comments, your reach drops. A quick reply or even a short “thank you” shows you’re active.
- Sharing controversial topics. Political debates, personal arguments, or sensitive content can damage your reputation. LinkedIn is still a professional space.
- Overusing emojis or informal language. A few emojis are fine. Long chains or heavy slang can look unprofessional.
- Skipping proofreading. One typo is fine. Consistent errors make your writing harder to read. I always re-read once before hitting Post.
Avoiding these mistakes makes your posts cleaner, more engaging, and easier for people to trust.
Understanding LinkedIn’s algorithm and post visibility
Learning how to post on LinkedIn is only half of the game. The other half is understanding how LinkedIn decides who actually sees your post. The algorithm is simpler than it looks once you know the signals it pays attention to.
The first hour matters the most. If your post gets quick reactions or comments, LinkedIn treats it as something worth showing to more people. That early engagement creates the momentum you need for reach.
LinkedIn also prefers native content. When you upload a video or image directly, the platform rewards it more than an external link that sends people away.
Dwell time is another important factor. If people stop on your post, read it slowly, or click “see more,” the algorithm considers it valuable.
Here’s the part many people miss:
- your post first appears to the people you engage with the most
- if they interact, LinkedIn expands your reach to second-degree connections
- stronger relationships = better initial visibility
This is why replying to comments and staying active helps every future post perform better.
When you understand these signals, posting becomes less about luck and more about timing, structure, and consistency.
Advanced posting features and tool
Once you know how to post on LinkedIn, it becomes easier to plan ahead instead of writing everything at the last minute. Scheduling and analytics give you more control over timing and performance, which helps your posts reach more people with less effort.
Scheduling posts for optimal times
LinkedIn now lets you schedule posts directly inside the editor. When you start creating a post, you’ll see a “Schedule” option next to the Post button. You choose the date and time, and LinkedIn publishes it automatically.
If you want more flexibility, tools like Taplio or Buffer offer advanced scheduling, better previews, and the ability to plan multiple posts at once. Taplio even suggests good posting windows based on your audience activity.
The best time to publish is usually when your network is active. Your analytics will show this, but many people start with weekday mornings and adjust later.
LinkedIn also saves drafts automatically, so you can start writing on desktop and finish on mobile without losing anything.
LinkedIn analytics: Tracking your post performance
Analytics help you understand what happens after you post. You can open them by clicking on any post and looking at the numbers LinkedIn shows.
The main metrics to watch are:
- impressions
- clicks
- reactions
- comments
- shares
Good performance varies by industry, but the engagement rate helps you compare your posts fairly. Over time, these numbers show which topics work, which formats get attention, and how to post something on LinkedIn that your audience actually wants.
If you want deeper insights, Taplio offers detailed analytics that go beyond LinkedIn’s basic view.
Learning how to post on LinkedIn feels intimidating at first, but it becomes easy once you know where everything is. The share box, the posting steps, the visibility options, and the content formats all work together to help your ideas reach the right people. What matters most is consistency. A clear hook and a simple, useful message always perform better than complicated tricks.
As you keep posting, you’ll notice when your audience is active and which topics get reactions. LinkedIn rewards this kind of learning. Each post becomes a data point that helps you write the next one with more confidence.
If there’s one thing to remember, it’s this: the first post is the hardest. Everything after that is practice.
If you want to test formatting, analyse your posts, or try new workflows, Taplio’s free tools give you everything in one place.
Frequently asked questions about posting on LinkedIn
Where is the “Start a post” button on LinkedIn?
It sits at the top of your LinkedIn homepage inside a white share box. If you don’t see it, you can also click “Post” from the main navigation bar.
Can you post on LinkedIn without notifying followers?
Not fully. LinkedIn doesn’t offer a real “no notification” setting for feed posts. Publishing during low-activity hours is the closest workaround.
What is the maximum character limit for LinkedIn posts?
You can write up to 3,000 characters in a standard post.
How do I post a photo on LinkedIn from my iPhone?
Tap “Post” in the mobile app, then tap the photo icon and choose an image from your camera roll.
Can I edit a LinkedIn post after publishing it?
Yes. Open your post, click the three dots, and select “Edit post.” You can update text, hashtags, and tags.
What’s the difference between a LinkedIn post and an article?
Posts are short updates for your feed. Articles are long-form content with richer formatting and a permanent spot on your profile.
Can I schedule LinkedIn posts in advance?
Yes. LinkedIn has a built-in scheduling feature. You can also use Taplio for advanced planning.
Why is my LinkedIn post not getting any views?
It usually comes down to timing, weak hooks, or posting external links. Early engagement is key for reach.
Do I need a LinkedIn Premium account to post?
No. Posting on LinkedIn is free for all users.
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