On Tuesday, 22nd October 2024, the LinkedIn community was in a frenzy. I received message after message asking me what the hell was going on! It was the same in my LinkedIn feed, too, with users voicing frustrations about losing hundreds of followers. Understandably, losing followers can feel disheartening, especially if you’ve spent years cultivating those connections. Now, 24 hours later, all was right in the world. It had been nothing more than a LinkedIn glitch. However, we’ve been told for months, maybe years, that the platform will be culling dormant accounts, and now and then, they tell us they’re going to clamp down on users who are breaking the rules of the platform using tools that go against their guidelines so this could have been a genuine situation. I’m pretty sure there will be a time when you log in and find you’ve lost a bunch of connections and followers because of this, but before you panic, let’s put it into perspective: if you’re relying solely on LinkedIn to manage your contacts, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Here’s why losing LinkedIn followers isn’t the end of the world – and what you can do to take control of your professional relationships.

Loss of LinkedIn Followers: Glitch or Purge?

Let’s address the cause of a LinkedIn follower loss. While it’s common for social media platforms to encounter technical issues or implement clean-ups that may temporarily alter follower counts, many LinkedIn users were quick to assume the worst. However, history shows us that 9.9 times out of 10, these sudden changes turn out to be glitches. (That’s not a proven ratio FYI, don’t go looking for official data on that one!) If LinkedIn is culling inactive or suspicious accounts, then it’s likely the platform is cleaning up to improve user experience. After all, would you want followers who aren’t engaging or don’t genuinely support your content?

A healthy LinkedIn following isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about connections that bring value. Losing a few hundred or even a thousand followers may not be as damaging as it seems if those followers weren’t genuinely invested in your content or even active on the platform.

Building Your Database Beyond LinkedIn

The lesson is that relying exclusively on LinkedIn to maintain and grow your network is risky. When you build your connections on LinkedIn alone, you’re essentially building your professional house on someone else’s land. Your network is controlled by LinkedIn’s algorithms, policies, and occasional glitches – elements entirely out of your control. While LinkedIn is a fantastic platform for connecting with like-minded professionals, having a system that brings these meaningful contacts into your database is vital.

So, what steps can you take to safeguard these relationships?

• Convert Connections to Subscribers: Use lead magnets or valuable resources to encourage your LinkedIn connections to subscribe to your mailing list.
• Personal Touch with WhatsApp: Create a WhatsApp group or an individual message thread for those close professional contacts. A personal message may go much further than a LinkedIn ‘like’ or comment.
• Share Selfies, Share Life: Extend the relationship beyond professional boundaries – maybe meet in person at industry events or follow up with personal messages. When you’re no longer confined to the LinkedIn framework, you can form genuine, lasting relationships.

By creating these connections off-platform, you’re building an audience truly invested in your work and ideas.

How LinkedIn’s Algorithm Limits Relationship Building

While LinkedIn remains a top platform for professional networking, relying solely on it can lead to superficial relationships. With LinkedIn’s ever-changing algorithm dictating what your followers see, you can’t guarantee your content will reach your entire network. If you’re engaging with your followers outside of LinkedIn, you’re strengthening your relationships and ensuring that your audience remains engaged with your message.

Every platform, including LinkedIn, has limitations affecting visibility and engagement. Even with a stellar LinkedIn post, your visibility is limited by the algorithm. The more effort you invest into creating meaningful, two-way communication outside LinkedIn, the more you’ll feel a sense of freedom and control over your network. Email still requires attention to deliverability, but the difference is that you’re in control.

The next time you lose Linkedin followers…

Losing LinkedIn followers may initially set off an alarm for you, but rather than seeing it as a setback, view it as a valuable reminder. A successful network goes beyond any platform; true connection-building means going beyond LinkedIn’s reach. Start bringing those connections off-platform and into your own ecosystem, where you control the conversation, the visibility, and ultimately, the impact you have.

So, if you’ve noticed a dip in LinkedIn followers this week, ask yourself: are those the relationships I want to keep? If they are, it’s time to ensure you’re connected outside LinkedIn, too.