By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
For years, the gospel of LinkedIn optimization has revolved around keywords. We carefully scatter them across our profiles, convinced that a high density of industry buzzwords is our ticket to being discovered by recruiters and potential clients. But the game has fundamentally changed. LinkedIn’s advanced AI no longer just scans for keywords; it’s actively understanding expertise.
It’s not a subtle shift; This is an earthquake. LinkedIn’s AI is now analyzing the entirety of your professional activity to identify and recommend individuals based on their demonstrated and perceived expertise. This means the days of just listing skills are over. We are now in the age of proving them, demonstrating them, and strategically positioning ourselves as authorities in our chosen fields.
So, what does this mean for your LinkedIn strategy? It needs to be repositioned from passive keyword stuffing to active, conscious expertise building. Let’s break down the key areas you need to focus on:
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The power of insightful comments
Gone are the days of simply saying “Great post!” Enough. LinkedIn’s AI is smart enough to identify meaningful engagement. Your comments are now a powerful tool to demonstrate your expertise. Go beyond superficial praise and instead offer real insight, ask thought-provoking questions, or elaborate on the original post with your own unique perspective.
For example, if you’re a marketing professional, don’t just agree with a post about content strategy. Instead, add value by sharing specific, successful content campaigns you executed, or provide a nuanced perspective on a specific content distribution channel. “That’s a good point about the need for evergreen content,” you might comment, “In my experience, incorporating a strong internal linking strategy can significantly amplify its long-term SEO impact, especially for niche industries.”
These types of comments are rich in concrete knowledge and actionable insights, signaling to the AI that you have real understanding and experience. They move you beyond being a mere “follower” to becoming an active contributor and expert.
Additionally, it gives you access to people who may not be in your network, and they may remember you for your uniqueness
Create an attention-grabbing headline (and AI recognition)
LinkedIn titles have always been prime real estate, but their importance has skyrocketed. It’s no longer just a job title; it’s a primary statement of your expertise. Rather than simply saying “marketing manager,” think about the specific problems you solve or the unique value you bring.
Think in terms of impact and specialization. Are you a “SaaS Growth Strategist who helps B2B companies grow revenue by 30%+”? Or maybe “part CMO focused on brand revitalization for D2C startups”? These titles are not only keyword-rich; They have a wealth of expertise. They clearly articulate your niche, your value proposition, and the specific areas in which you excel. AI is looking for these signals of expertise and uses them to connect you to relevant opportunities and conversations.
Content is a showcase of your expertise
This is where the rubber really meets the road. Your original content (articles, posts, even well-crafted responses) is your most powerful tool for building expertise. This doesn’t mean you need to write a white paper every week. Consistency and quality are far more important than quantity.
Share your unique insights, lessons learned from your career, predictions about your industry, or practical tips that demonstrate your deep understanding. If you work in cybersecurity, please share a breakdown of the recent threat landscape. If you are a financial advisor, provide simplified explanations of complex investment strategies.
AI is carefully analyzing the substance of your content—the topics you consistently cover, the depth of your analysis, and the engagement it generates—to build a solid profile of your expertise. When others interact with your content, agree with your points, ask follow-up questions, and even respectfully disagree, it further solidifies your status as a thought leader in the eyes of the AI.
In the new landscape of LinkedIn, authenticity and intentionality are crucial. Stop chasing keywords and start building your expertise. Engage thoughtfully, clearly articulate your value proposition in your headline, and consistently share valuable insights through your content. By doing this, you will not only be discovered, but you will also be discovered. You will be recommended as a true expert.
In the new LinkedIn environment, anything you post that isn’t relevant to your brand or expertise focus will distract from the system recommending you as an expert. Stay away from posting comments or content that has nothing to do with what you don’t want to become known for,
Ⓒ Big Game Hunters, Asheville, NC 2026
An agency called me about a job I had been rejected for
About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman
Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter is a coach who has been a recruiter for a hundred years. His work involves career coaching, as well as executive job coaching, job coaching, and interview coaching. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 job search podcast on iTunes with over 3,100 episodes, and is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council.
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