A Guide to LinkedIn Algorithm Changes 2026 – 360Brew Explained

Understanding how a social media algorithm works can be a little like nailing jelly to the wall. It’s confusing, a bit messy, and sometimes you wonder why you even bother. On LinkedIn, over the last year we’ve seen the platform push towards more authentic content from individuals over highly polished posts from company pages.

Naturally, social media marketers and content creators can take out the guesswork for your business. Spending all day (and night) on platforms like LinkedIn, they learn the quirks of each algorithm and, importantly, how to make them work to maximise your results.

But like any great Sisyphean task, once you roll the metaphorical boulder to the top of the hill, it rolls back down again. You start to figure out how LinkedIn works, and then LinkedIn changes it.

Not to worry though. LinkedIn has been very clear about how their new algorithm, 360Brew, works and how you can make it work for you. Whether that’s on your personal profile or your company page.

What is 360Brew?

LinkedIn’s new algorithm, 360Brew, started rolling out at the end of 2025 and into early 2026. Which means you and your page should be feeling the full effects by now.

Unlike previous iterations, 360Brew uses advanced AI and engagement signals to tailor each feed. It scans your profile, including your name, headline and about section, to understand what your page is about. It then reads your historic and current posts to see if your content aligns with your profile and audience.

360Brew is looking at the bigger picture, not just the post itself. Your profile, your content and your activity all need to tell the same story.

The goal? To make sure the right content reaches the right people. It serves users posts that are relevant, engaging and meaningful, rather than rewarding frequency, timing or “engagement hacks”. Tagging lots of accounts, posting at specific times or relying on AI-generated content is no longer enough.

Instead, 360Brew evaluates posts by semantic relevance rather than surface level metrics. It looks at what you post, what you engage with, the quality of your comments and whether people save your content. It is no longer just about likes and quick reactions. Saves and meaningful conversations now carry far more weight.

Essentially, it learns your niche and connects your content with the people who actually care about it.

Why Smaller Reach Isn’t a Bad Thing

You might notice your reach and impressions drop under 360Brew and that’s actually not a problem. The algorithm prioritises showing your content to the right people, not the most people. Ultimately this should give you true audience quality, instead of quantity.

Posting more often will not automatically get you more reach. In fact, 360Brew is far more interested in whether your content is relevant than whether you are posting every day.

It’s recommended to focus on a few core topics rather than a broad spectrum of things. This helps the algorithm understand who you are, what you talk about and who should be seeing your content.

For B2B brands, this is especially important. LinkedIn is where your buyers are already, so your content needs to speak their language and offer something useful.

Time to Audit Your Social Media

With 360Brew in full swing, now is the perfect time to review your social media strategy and audit your LinkedIn account.

Make sure your profile, posts and engagement habits are set up to work with the new algorithm. A thorough audit should look at:

• Whether your profile clearly reflects your expertise and target audience
• If your content themes are consistent and aligned with your brand
• Which topics actually resonate with your audience
• The quality of your engagement, not just the quantity
• Whether your visuals support and strengthen your messaging

Now is also the time to tighten up your content pillars. Focus on two or three core areas that reflect your expertise and stick to them consistently.

For B2B businesses, employee advocacy can also play a big role here. When your experts engage with your posts in a meaningful way, it helps build that all important credibility and extend your reach.

A little housekeeping now will save you time and effort later and help the algorithm get your content in front of the people who actually want to see it.

Work with us to make it work for you

While social media algorithms might feel like moving targets, this update is actually giving you a chance to focus on meaningful content and authentic engagement.

It is less about trying to hack the system and more about understanding your audience, communicating clearly and showing up with something worth saying.

And that is where a strong social media strategy makes all the difference. The social media team at Extramile Digital can help you to refine your profile, create content that aligns with your expertise and work with the algorithm to drive long-term results.

A look back at LinkedIn’s 2025 algorithm changes

Preference for Video and Multimedia Content

LinkedIn is doubling down on multimedia, particularly video. Vertical videos, interactive formats, and image carousels are now prioritised over traditional text-based posts. This shift reflects broader trends across social platforms, where visual content drives engagement.

Implication: Text-only posts or static link shares may not get the same reach as a dynamic video or colourful carousel post.

Engagement as a Rapid Signal

Engagement in the first hour after publishing a post, often referred to as the “golden hour,” plays an important role in determining overall post reach. The more likes, comments and shares your post garners quickly, the more likely LinkedIn’s algorithm is to push it to second- and third-degree connections.

Implication: Posts that fail to secure early engagement may see their visibility stall.

Impact of AI-Generated Content

With AI in content creation rising, LinkedIn has started carefully monitoring posts for signs of AI-generated material. It aims to prioritise authentic, human-driven content. Posts flagged as overly automated or generic may experience a reduction in reach.

Implication: While using AI tools can save time, overly polished or inauthentic content might become more of a liability.

LinkedIn and Adobe have teamed up to show a “Verified on LinkedIn” badge in Content Credentials which is a massive boost in creators credibility.

The Rise of Crowded Feeds

The rapid adoption of AI tools has led to an explosion of posts on LinkedIn, especially in competitive spaces like marketing and finance. With so much content competing for attention, only the highest-quality posts can stand out.

Implication: Generic posts or overly promotional content will fail to cut through the noise.

Scrutiny of Promotional and Third-Party Content

LinkedIn is deprioritising posts that consistently feature promotional materials or third-party links, as these are often deemed less valuable to users.

Implication: Posts that feel salesy or direct audiences away from LinkedIn may experience reduced visibility.

The March 2025 algorithm update represents LinkedIn’s effort to elevate the quality of content while encouraging more meaningful engagement.

To thrive in 2025 and beyond, LinkedIn strategies need to emphasise and invest in video and multimedia content. This authentic and engaging content will push you forward to gather the likes and comments you need to push out to new connections.

Think of these changes as an opportunity to refine your LinkedIn strategy and to tie it with other channels, like SEO. With a thoughtful approach and a commitment to authenticity, you’ll not only stay relevant but also build a stronger personal or business presence in 2025.