If you’ve recently noticed an influx of notifications from LinkedIn, you’re not alone. LinkedIn notifications can seem to multiply overnight, leaving many users wondering why their notification number suddenly skyrocketed.
You recently updated your profile
One of the most common reasons for getting more LinkedIn notifications is that you recently made changes to your profile. This could include adding a new position, skill, accomplishment, education, photo, etc. Any time you add or update information on your LinkedIn profile, it gets broadcast to your network in real time. People in your network like and comment on your new profile details, triggering notifications.
You joined new LinkedIn groups
Joining LinkedIn groups is a great way to expand your professional network and participate in valuable industry conversations. However, doing so also exposes you to a flurry of new notifications. Every discussion, poll, and post happening in those groups has the potential to send notifications your way. It’s easy for even just a few active group members to quickly overload your notifications.
You’re more active on LinkedIn lately
If you’ve been more active yourself on LinkedIn recently, you’re naturally going to attract more notifications. Activities like posting updates, commenting on others’ posts, sharing articles, reacting to content, messaging connections, etc. all lead to more notifications coming your way through comments, reactions, and replies.
You changed your notification settings
LinkedIn allows you to customize your notification settings, so it’s possible you inadvertently tweaked them in a way that increased your notifications. For example, you may have turned on notifications for things that were previously muted, like profile views, reactions to your posts, group updates, etc. Reviewing your settings and making adjustments can help reduce unnecessary notifications.
You have new connections on LinkedIn
Every new connection is another potential source of LinkedIn notifications. Whether it’s through their posts, shared content, status updates, profile changes, messages, or group activities, your connections’ actions can all trigger notifications. As your network grows, you’ll naturally see more LinkedIn activity resulting in more notifications.
LinkedIn algorithm thinks you want more engagement
LinkedIn’s algorithm is designed to increase engagement. One of the ways it does this is by sending more notifications to users it believes will get value from them. So if you’ve been demonstrating a pattern of opening and responding to LinkedIn notifications, its algorithm will likely start sending you more in hopes you’ll remain an active user.
You have notification overload from other apps too
Sometimes a flood of notifications from LinkedIn is simply mirroring an overload from other channels. If you’re getting bombarded by emails, texts, social media pings, news alerts, etc., chances are your LinkedIn notifications will seem amplified too. We become desensitized and more easily irritated by notifications when experiencing fatigue from other sources.
How to manage LinkedIn notifications
If your LinkedIn notifications have reached overwhelming levels, there are steps you can take to manage them:
Adjust notifications settings
In your LinkedIn account settings, customize your notifications. Mute certain types completely or reduce their frequency from “real time” to “daily” or “weekly” digests.
Unsubscribe from groups
Cut down on group notifications by leaving groups that aren’t relevant. You can also adjust group notification settings to “daily digest.”
Be more selective with your network
Trim connections that aren’t actively valuable to you professionally. Fewer connections = fewer notification sources.
Interact less
If you want fewer notifications, pull back on actively posting, commenting, sharing, reacting, and messaging. Less interaction means less response demanding your attention.
Use LinkedIn’s filter features
Organize, categorize, and filter your notifications to highlight the most relevant ones demanding your attention.
Check notifications less frequently
Resist the urge to constantly check your notifications. Limit to a few times daily to declutter your alert fatigue.
Turn off email notifications
If email is where you’re getting the bulk of LinkedIn notifications, disable those auto-alerts. You can still check the app itself when convenient.
Temporarily snooze notifications
When you need a complete break from the noise, use LinkedIn’s “Snooze my notifications” feature to silence them anywhere from 8 hours to 2 weeks.
The pros and cons of LinkedIn notifications
Before adjusting your settings, it helps to understand the pros and cons of LinkedIn notifications:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Stay updated on industry trends | Can be distracting and disruptive |
Timely info about connections | Creates sense of urgency and stress |
Opportunities for networking | Clutters your notification channels |
Valuable insights and news | Overloads your attention span |
Engagement helps your brand | Time-consuming to manage |
Conclusion
A sudden influx of LinkedIn notifications is common as you become more active on the platform and grow your professional network. But too many notifications can be frustrating and distracting. Using LinkedIn’s tools to manage your settings, curate your connections, and filter content can help keep your notifications productive rather than overwhelming.
The ideal LinkedIn notification scenario is one where you receive a volume you find useful but not exhausting. Test different settings and habits to find your optimal preferences. Leverage notifications for meaningful professional engagement without letting them control your time and attention.
With some adjustments, you can take advantage of the upside of LinkedIn notifications while minimizing the downsides of notification fatigue. Find the right balance and settings for managing your professional profile and time wisely.