LinkedIn groups allow members to connect with other professionals in their industry or with similar interests. When you join a LinkedIn group, you can participate in discussions, establish yourself as an expert, and expand your network.
Some LinkedIn groups have restrictions on who can join them. Groups can be listed as “Open,” “Unlisted,” or “Closed.” Understanding what each type of group means will help you find the right communities to join on LinkedIn.
What Is an Open Group?
An open group on LinkedIn is a public community that anyone can find in search and join without requesting membership. Open groups have no restrictions on who can become a member.
When you create a group on LinkedIn, it defaults to being an open group. This allows your community to easily attract new members.
Here are some key things to know about open groups:
- Anyone can find the group through LinkedIn search and request to join it.
- The group and all discussions are visible to anyone on LinkedIn regardless of whether they have joined.
- Ideal for public communities focused on common interests like industries, professions, hobbies, etc.
- Allows you to quickly build a large membership base for the group.
Open groups work well if you want to create a forum around shared interests and gain exposure for the group. For example, an open networking group for marketing professionals allows anyone with a LinkedIn profile to participate in discussions.
What Is an Unlisted or Private Group?
An unlisted or private group means the community does not appear in LinkedIn search results. Users must receive a direct invitation to join the group.
The group administrator has to approve each membership request before someone can join. Unlisted groups are sometimes also referred to as “private” or “closed” groups.
Here are some key characteristics of unlisted groups:
- Cannot be found through searching LinkedIn.
- Membership requires approval by the group admin.
- Discussions can only be viewed by members.
- Ideal for specialized communities limited to certain members.
Unlisted groups allow tighter control over membership. They work well for communities that need to restrict access for privacy or exclusivity. For example, a private group for employees of the same company to share internal resources and discussions.
What Is a Closed Group?
A closed group on LinkedIn has the most restrictions for joining. It does not appear in search results, and users cannot request to join the group.
The group admin must manually add each member. Closed groups offer the highest level of exclusivity and privacy.
Here are the characteristics of closed groups:
- Completely hidden from LinkedIn search results.
- Only group managers can add members.
- All discussions and members are completely private.
- Suitable for invite-only communities.
Closed groups work best for small, exclusive communities that require privacy. For example, a closed group meant for employees at a specific level in the company hierarchy. The added privacy makes closed groups suitable for sharing confidential information among selected members.
How to Change LinkedIn Group Settings
As a group admin, you can change the privacy settings for your LinkedIn group after creating it. The settings allow you to switch between open, unlisted, and closed groups.
Here are the steps to update group settings:
- Go to your LinkedIn group page.
- Click on the Manage icon (gear symbol) at the top right.
- Select Settings from the menu.
- Under Privacy, choose from Open, Unlisted, or Closed options.
- Click Save to apply the new settings.
Starting with an open group allows you to easily attract members. You can then switch to an unlisted or closed group over time if needed. This maintains the community that you have built up whiletightening privacy.
Finding the Right LinkedIn Groups
Now that you know the different types of LinkedIn groups, here are some tips for finding the best communities for your needs:
- Use keyword searches to find open groups related to your interests and profession.
- Look for unlisted groups by getting invites from connections.
- Leverage your network to get added to closed groups.
- Join groups where you can actively participate in discussions.
- Focus on a few quality groups instead of a large number.
- Check for robust engagement before joining a group.
Evaluate groups based on activity level, discussion quality, and member expertise. Aim to join communities that will expand your knowledge and network.
Benefits of Participating in Groups
Joining the right LinkedIn groups provides many advantages beyond networking and discussions. Here are some of the benefits:
- Thought leadership – Share insights and expertise to establish yourself as a thought leader.
- Recruitment – Discover new job opportunities and talent for hiring.
- Partnerships – Find potential partners and business collaborators.
- Knowledge exchange – Learn from other professionals and industry experts.
- Trend awareness – Keep up with the latest developments in your field.
- Improved search visibility – Active participation results in a rankings boost on LinkedIn.
The true value of LinkedIn groups emerges when you are an engaged member in the community. Contribute your perspective and knowledge to benefit other members.
Conclusion
LinkedIn groups provide a way to connect with other professionals, establish your expertise, and discuss topics related to your industry or interests. Understanding the differences between open, unlisted, and closed groups allows you to find the right communities to meet your goals.
Participate actively in a few select groups to maximize the benefits. Check that the group has robust discussions and valuable members before joining. With the right groups, you can gain exposure, demonstrate thought leadership, and expand your professional network on LinkedIn.