Earlier today, I subjected myself to humiliation and torment for your sake.
“It’ll be a blast,” they said.
“It’s a party for LinkedIn posts,” they said.
Yes…
I joined a LinkedIn Pod.
No, it has nothing to do with dolphins. It’s not even a cult, though I did feel like I was drinking the Kool-Aid.
For those blissfully unaware, a LinkedIn Pod is a group of people who agree to post at the same time and then like and comment on each other’s posts to “game” the LinkedIn algorithm.
The goal? Make your post go viral.
The reality? Well… that’s where things get interesting.
What Really Happens in a LinkedIn Pod?
The theory behind LinkedIn Pods makes sense:
- LinkedIn’s algorithm prioritizes engagement from your first-degree connections (people directly connected to you).
- If your post gets engagement, LinkedIn starts showing it to second-degree connections (your connections’ connections).
- With the right engagement, a post could spread to millions of people.
So, I ran an experiment.
I posted a satirical video mocking copywriting gurus, where I introduced a fake “7-Step Program” to getting rich in 2025.
One of the steps? Join my $50,000 coaching program.
Clearly, it was a joke.
But guess how my LinkedIn Pod-mates responded?
- “Seven steps sound easy enough! We have Gen AI to help too!”
- “Making fat stacks of sick-nasty cash as a copywriter? Love the energy, Nicholas! Your seven-step process sounds like a roadmap to copywriting success. Looking forward to learning more!”
Yes, a roadmap to success indeed.
Like Step 3: Lying about your skills on LinkedIn.
Do LinkedIn Pods Actually Work?
Let’s talk results.
- My post got six times the usual views thanks to the pod.
- A few genuine connections came from it, but the majority were fake, forced interactions.
- It did not generate any meaningful business.
So, verdict?
Inconclusive.
If we’re judging fairly, we’d need to test it at scale—because the real power of LinkedIn lies in your network.
Think about it:
- You can have up to 30,000 first-degree connections on LinkedIn.
- If each of your connections has 500 connections, your second-degree reach could be anywhere from five million to fifteen million people.
That’s a massive potential audience.
But does artificially inflating engagement actually bring in real opportunities?
Right now, I’d say… probably not.
The Bigger Problem With LinkedIn Pods
Fake engagement does not equal real business.
At best, it’s a vanity metric boost that might make your content look more important.
At worst, it turns into a time-wasting treadmill where you’re commenting “great post” on content you don’t actually care about just to keep the algorithm happy.
Meanwhile, real high-value freelancers are landing clients without spending hours playing the LinkedIn Pod game.
Because at the end of the day, what matters isn’t tricking an algorithm.
It’s:
- Positioning yourself as a real expert.
- Attracting clients who actually need your skills.
- Getting paid for work that makes a difference.
Which brings me to something actually useful.
Want to Be a Well-Fed Freelancer? Join My Email List.
Instead of playing LinkedIn engagement games, wouldn’t you rather get paid for work that actually matters?
I’m putting together a freelance survival guide to help you:
- Land high-paying clients without relying on social media gimmicks.
- Avoid time-wasting, low-value projects.
- Grow your freelance business the smart way.
And you can be the first to know when it drops.
Join my email list now and get insights like this straight to your inbox:
Or keep playing LinkedIn Pod Bingo. Your call.
