When it comes to optimizing your LinkedIn profile, most people focus on their headline, profile picture and work experience. But one of the most impactful sections often goes unnoticed – the LinkedIn Featured section. chat

Think of the LinkedIn Featured section as your personal branding spotlight – like the homepage of your website where you can highlight your best work and most important content, and direct people to what you want them to see. If you’re not using it yet, you’re missing out on a powerful tool to build your professional brand. Here’s how you can leverage it effectively and stand out on LinkedIn.

What is the LinkedIn Featured Section?

The LinkedIn Featured section is a dedicated space on your profile that allows you to highlight specific posts, links, media or documents. It’s a visually rich section that sits right below your About section, making it easy for anyone visiting your profile to quickly see what’s most important. Think of it as a dynamic portfolio where you can showcase your best work and key achievements.

Why the Featured Section Matters for Building Your Brand

Your LinkedIn profile is more than a digital resume – it’s a platform to build your professional reputation, share your expertise and market yourself effectively. The Featured section enables you to spotlight key projects, highlight accomplishments and showcase the unique value you bring to your industry. Here are some reasons why you should optimize your LinkedIn Featured section:

• Visibility: The Featured section is visually prominent on your profile, making it easy for people to see what you want to highlight.
• Credibility: Including media coverage, articles and key wins builds social proof, showing potential employers or clients that you’re a leader in your field.
• Conversion: It’s a great way to drive traffic to your website, email list or other resources.

How to Use the LinkedIn Featured Section to Stand Out

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make the most of the Featured section and create a LinkedIn profile that truly represents you.

1. Share News and Media Coverage

If you’ve been featured in a news article, interviewed on a podcast or had a big win recently, the Featured section is the perfect place to share it. Media coverage and industry recognition add credibility and show that others see you as an expert.

• Tip: Include a mix of media types, including articles, videos and images to make your profile visually engaging.
• Key Takeaway: Showcasing your media appearances helps position you as a thought leader in your industry.

How to Add Media Coverage: To add media coverage, go to your LinkedIn profile, scroll down to the Featured section and click the “+” button. Select “Link” and paste the URL of the article or video you want to feature. Add a short, catchy title and description to give context.

2. Include Links to Your Blog, Podcast or Email List

If you create regular content, such as blog posts or podcasts, use the Featured section to drive engagement. By adding links to your most popular content, you’re making it easy for visitors to dive deeper into your work.

• Tip: Use this space strategically by highlighting content that aligns with your professional brand and showcases your expertise.
• Key Takeaway: Make it easy for people to consume your content and stay connected with you.

How to Link Your Content: When adding a link to your blog or podcast, include a description that entices visitors to click through. For example, “Check out my latest blog post on mastering LinkedIn marketing” is much more engaging than just linking a generic blog page.

3. Spotlight Key Posts and Updates

Have an important announcement, new product or service launch or a LinkedIn post that got a lot of engagement? Add it to your Featured section. This not only increases the visibility of your content but also highlights what’s currently relevant in your professional life.

• Tip: Review and update your Featured section regularly to keep it aligned with your latest achievements.
• Key Takeaway: Keep the content fresh and relevant to maintain engagement.

How to Feature a Post: If you’ve shared a post on LinkedIn that you want to feature, click on the three dots at the top right of the post, select “Add to Featured,” and it will instantly be highlighted on your profile.

4. Highlight Major Career Achievements

Whether it’s a big project you completed, a new certification or a successful deal, the Featured section is the ideal place to highlight career milestones. This is particularly useful if you’re looking to attract potential employers or clients.

• Tip: Include a brief description of each achievement to provide context on why it’s important.
• Key Takeaway: Focus on results and impact to show your value.

How to Feature Career Highlights: You can add a document, image or video that represents a major milestone. For example, if you received an industry award, upload a photo of the award with a description that explains its significance.

Best Practices for Your LinkedIn Featured Section

To make your Featured section as effective as possible, keep these best practices in mind:

1. Prioritize Your Best Content: Only include your top-performing content or the pieces that align most closely with your personal brand.
2. Use Eye-Catching Visuals: The Featured section is one of the few places on your LinkedIn profile where you can use images and videos, so make them count.
3. Keep It Up-to-Date: Review your Featured section regularly and rotate content to keep it fresh and relevant.

Key Takeaways

1. Use the Featured Section to Build Credibility: Highlight media mentions, industry awards and key wins to showcase your authority and expertise.
2. Drive Engagement with Strategic Links: Add links to your blog, podcast, email list or other platforms to direct people where you want them to go.
3. Make It Visually Appealing: Use a mix of images, videos and posts to keep your profile dynamic and engaging.
4. Update Regularly: Keep your Featured section current to reflect your latest achievements and priorities.

Don’t Overlook This Powerful Tool

The LinkedIn Featured section is more than just a profile addition – it’s a powerful tool for showcasing your brand and driving engagement. Whether your goal is to build credibility, highlight your content or direct people to key links, using the Featured section strategically can elevate your branding and business development.

Are you using your LinkedIn Featured section to its full potential? If not, now’s the time to start. Take control of how you present yourself and let this often-overlooked section help you stand out from the crowd.