Is a LinkedIn Top Voice Badge Truly Worth It?
What You’ll Learn in this Issue
- Why LinkedIn’s Top Voice and Community Top Voice badges have lost credibility and what that means for your personal brand
- How over-distribution and engagement tactics have reduced the signal of true expertise
- What to focus on instead: creating valuable content, engaging thoughtfully, and building meaningful professional relationships
The buzz surrounding LinkedIn's "Top Voice" badges is hard to ignore lately.
However, before you rush to obtain one, let's consider why that might not be the best move.
On LinkedIn, you'll come across two types of badges: the Top Voice Badge and the Community Top Voice Badge.
1. Top Voice Badge
This blue badge was traditionally reserved for high-profile figures such as CEOs of Fortune 100 companies, leaders of large startups, or renowned experts in their respective industries.
2. Community Top Voice Badge
The light golden badge, along with one of your skills, is a newer addition to LinkedIn. It's undoubtedly eye-catching! Some common Community Top Voice Badges are: Top Storytelling Voice, Top Copywriting Voice, Top Product Management Voice, etc.
When you spot that shiny golden badge on someone's profile, what do you think?
Are they an authority on a topic?
Perhaps a unique content creator?
Or maybe a well-known thought leader?
Well, it might surprise you to learn that these badges were handed out to anyone who commented frequently on a new LinkedIn feature.
They were part of LinkedIn's strategy to increase user engagement and content creation. The catch, however, is that when everyone's a "Top Voice," the whole concept loses its meaning.
Many questions might be AI-generated, and may not really add any value to people's lives.
Jason Feifer agrees and shares his experience through a LinkedIn post.
As of March 2024, the original blue badges seem to be following the same path. People are being handed these badges left, right, and center, diluting the term "expert" to the point of absurdity.
Now, there's nothing inherently wrong with the badges themselves. They provide users with a goal to strive for and encourage participation in articles. However, labeling someone a "Top Voice" who hasn't contributed to the industry significantly undermines the credibility of the badge.
So, what's the solution?
1. LinkedIn could introduce different badge levels to distinguish true experts from frequent commenters.
2. They could also tighten the criteria for earning badges and be more transparent about the process.
But even with these changes, restoring the badges' meaning might be challenging.
What should you do instead?
1. Craft Meaningful Content: Create content that offers genuine value to your audience.
2. Engage Thoughtfully: Instead of fixating solely on reaching a certain engagement metric, prioritize meaningful interactions with your audience.
3. Cultivate Meaningful Connections: Build relationships with individuals who share your interests, values, and professional goals.
In the meantime, don't hold your breath for badges to regain their significance. And if you've already obtained one, did it genuinely make a difference for you or your business?
