CREview Ep. 22

LinkedIn Engagement Myths: Exposing the Fake Metrics

Josh investigates clients' boosted LinkedIn content receiving engagement from apparent spam accounts, despite properly targeted audiences, and questions what's really going on.

Key Takeaways

Several clients noticed a meaningful share of engagement on boosted LinkedIn content coming from apparent spam or bot accounts.

LinkedIn's support team confirmed the issue was occurring but did not provide a clear explanation, only offering a small ad credit.

Despite this concern, larger, full-funnel paid LinkedIn campaigns were still generating genuine leads and real business results.

It's worth periodically checking who is actually engaging with boosted content, since suspicious accounts can indicate wasted ad spend.

This kind of engagement inconsistency is worth watching closely for any company investing meaningfully in a platform's paid advertising.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and get notified when new episodes come out

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LinkedIn engagement on paid ads always genuine?

Not necessarily; some advertisers have reported a portion of engagement on boosted content coming from accounts that show signs of being spam or bots, despite correctly targeted campaigns.

How can you tell if engagement on your LinkedIn ads is fake?

Check the profiles of the people engaging with the content; accounts with no profile picture, no posts, or no real activity history are warning signs of spam or bot engagement.

Does LinkedIn advertising still work despite this concern?

Yes, larger, full-funnel paid campaigns on LinkedIn were still producing genuine leads and real business results, even amid concerns about some low-level spam engagement.

What should you do if you suspect fake engagement on a paid campaign?

Report the concern directly to the platform's support team and keep monitoring your account's engagement patterns closely going forward.

Did LinkedIn provide an explanation for the suspicious engagement?

LinkedIn's support team confirmed the issue was occurring but did not provide a clear explanation, only offering a small ad credit.

Does this engagement concern mean LinkedIn ads don't work?

No, larger, full-funnel paid LinkedIn campaigns were still generating genuine leads and real business results despite the concern.

Get smarter CRE marketing insights in your inbox

Sign up for practical CRE marketing insights, tools and updates from our team. No fluff, no spam, just useful thinking to help you market smarter.