TechCrunch Industry News OK, what’s going on with LinkedIn’s algo?
Dec 24, 2025
In a fascinating exploration, women manipulate their LinkedIn profiles to assess potential algorithmic bias. While LinkedIn denies using demographic signals, experts highlight the complexities of implicit bias in algorithms. The discussion includes insights on how factors like posting habits and profile behavior influence visibility. Creator experiences vary widely, with some facing drops in reach while targeted content thrives. The importance of professional insights and educational posts is emphasized as part of LinkedIn's evolving landscape.
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Profile Swap Experiment
- Michelle changed her LinkedIn profile to male and switched her name to Michael as part of an experiment testing gender bias.
- She reported impressions jumped 200% and engagements rose 27% after the change.
Implicit Bias From Complex Signals
- Experts say explicit sexism in LinkedIn's algorithm is unlikely but implicit biases can emerge from many interacting signals.
- Brandeis Marshall warns platforms are complex systems with many levers beyond profile fields.
Matched Posts, Massive Reach Gap
- Cindy Gallop and Jane Evans asked two men to post the same content to test gender effects on reach.
- Gallop's post reached 801 people while the man's identical post reached 10,108 people.