In August 2025, LinkedIn quietly rolled out a major algorithm change that’s making users double-take — not because of new features, but because older posts are suddenly reappearing in their feeds.
While some professionals welcome the chance to engage with high-value discussions they may have missed, others find it jarring to see weeks-old updates competing with fresh content. LinkedIn says the change is intentional, aimed at keeping conversations alive and boosting content longevity.
Video and thought leadership content remain the platform’s top engagement drivers, but the way those posts surface in feeds is now undergoing a significant shift.
1. What Changed in the Algorithm?
Traditionally, LinkedIn’s feed prioritized recent and relevant posts based on a mix of engagement, network proximity, and topical interest. With the August 2025 update, the platform has added a "content reactivation" factor that:
- Resurfaces posts with renewed engagement — even if they’re several days or weeks old.
- Prioritizes discussions with ongoing comment threads over static, one-off posts.
- Gives extra weight to content that aligns with trending industry topics, regardless of when it was first posted.
This means a thought leadership article posted two weeks ago can suddenly reappear at the top of your feed if people are still actively commenting on it.
2. LinkedIn’s Rationale for the Change
LinkedIn’s product team describes the update as a way to “extend the lifespan of valuable professional conversations”. In its announcement, the company outlined three goals:
- Reduce Missed Opportunities – Many users log in sporadically and miss high-quality posts that get buried within hours.
- Foster Deeper Discussions – Re-surfacing older posts encourages ongoing dialogue instead of quick, disposable reactions.
- Highlight Timeless Insights – Thought leadership and industry analysis can remain relevant for weeks, unlike short-lived social updates.
In other words, LinkedIn wants to shift from “fast scrolling” to “slow networking”, where quality trumps recency.
3. The Rise of Evergreen Engagement
One of the biggest winners in this update is evergreen content — posts that remain relevant over time. Examples include:
- Industry trend breakdowns.
- Career development tips.
- In-depth analysis of market shifts.
- Inspirational leadership stories.
For creators, this means a well-crafted post can now gain traction long after its original publication date. Instead of being forgotten after a 48-hour engagement spike, it can re-enter feeds multiple times if the discussion keeps going.
4. Why Video Still Reigns Supreme
Although the algorithm now favors older content with renewed engagement, video posts continue to dominate in visibility. LinkedIn’s internal data shows:
- Videos generate 3x more engagement than text-only posts.
- Average watch time for professional tips videos has increased by 22% year-over-year.
- Native LinkedIn video uploads perform better than embedded YouTube links.
This means a two-week-old video post with active comments can easily outperform a brand-new text update. The algorithm essentially treats videos with sustained discussion as premium feed material.
5. Thought Leadership Gets a Boost
The update heavily favors thought leadership content — defined as posts that:
- Share original insights.
- Provide industry expertise.
- Offer actionable advice backed by personal experience.
LinkedIn’s research indicates that thought leadership posts are 4x more likely to spark meaningful comment threads, making them ideal candidates for resurfacing under the new rules.
For executives, consultants, and subject-matter experts, this means greater ROI on time spent crafting deep, valuable content.
6. The User Experience — Mixed Reactions
Reactions to the update have been mixed:
Positive Feedback:
- “Finally, I don’t miss posts from my connections just because I wasn’t online that day.”
- “Great to see conversations continue instead of dying out in 48 hours.”
Criticism:
- “I’m seeing posts from three weeks ago as if they’re brand new. It’s confusing.”
- “This feels like Facebook’s ‘most relevant’ sorting — I prefer chronological.”
LinkedIn seems to be betting that the long-term benefits of richer conversations will outweigh the initial confusion for some users.
7. Implications for Content Strategy
For individuals and brands, this update calls for strategic adjustments:
a) Focus on Discussion-Driven Posts
Posts that invite conversation — through questions, polls, or industry debate — have higher resurfacing potential.
b) Maintain Engagement After Posting
Replying to comments days or weeks later can trigger the algorithm to push the post back into feeds.
c) Leverage Evergreen Value
Instead of chasing trends daily, invest in posts that will be useful months from now.
d) Integrate More Video
Video’s staying power in the new algorithm makes it a smart investment for visibility.
8. The Business Side — LinkedIn’s Bigger Play
While framed as a user experience upgrade, analysts note a business incentive behind the change:
- Increased Dwell Time – Older posts with renewed life keep users scrolling longer.
- Better Ad Targeting – More time on the platform means more ad impressions.
- Premium Value for Creators – LinkedIn could attract more content creators by promising extended reach for high-quality posts.
In the competitive professional networking space, keeping content visible longer could help LinkedIn strengthen its position against platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky, where posts vanish quickly from visibility.
9. Potential Risks and Challenges
The algorithm shift isn’t without risks:
- Staleness – Users may grow frustrated seeing older content dominate.
- Echo Chambers – Popular posts could overshadow fresh, diverse perspectives.
- Engagement Gaming – Creators might artificially boost old posts with coordinated comments to keep them circulating.
LinkedIn will need to fine-tune its filters to ensure resurfaced posts remain relevant and don’t crowd out timely updates.
10. How to Adapt Right Now
If you want to benefit from LinkedIn’s August 2025 update, here are five immediate actions to take:
- Audit Your Past High-Performing Posts – Re-engage with the comment section to revive visibility.
- Create Evergreen Thought Leadership Content – Focus on posts that remain valuable for weeks.
- Integrate Video into Your Strategy – Short, insightful clips get extended life in feeds.
- Ask Open-Ended Questions – Keep the conversation going beyond the first day.
- Engage Consistently – Comment on others’ posts to build reciprocal engagement.
Final Thoughts
LinkedIn’s August 2025 algorithm change marks a shift from short-term visibility to long-term conversation building. For professionals who value deep networking and sustained engagement, this could be a game-changer.
While not everyone will appreciate seeing older posts in their feed, the update reinforces LinkedIn’s identity as a platform for meaningful professional exchange, not just rapid-fire updates.
In a social media world obsessed with the “now,” LinkedIn is betting on the power of content that stays relevant — and for many creators, that’s a bet worth embracing.