Only about 1% of LinkedIn’s 1 billion users are actively creating content, yet they generate over 9 billion impressions every single week. This leaves the remaining 99% passively scrolling, consuming, and missing out on huge opportunities for visibility, credibility, and connection. For anyone in B2B, ignoring LinkedIn is like walking away from free exposure, warm leads, and real influence. If you’re aiming to grow a brand, build authority, or attract your ideal audience, LinkedIn is where it starts. And Creator Mode? It’s the platform’s most powerful tool for making that happen. Yet most users either don’t activate it or turn it on blindly, expecting instant results. The truth is, Creator Mode works—but only if you know how to use it right.
Maybe you’ve seen LinkedIn Creator Mode mentioned but never explored it. Perhaps you turned it on already but aren’t sure what changed. Or you’re wondering how to turn it off because it didn’t deliver the results you hoped for. Either way, you’re not alone. Many professionals enable it without a strategy, expecting viral reach and fast growth, only to feel stuck later. But with the right setup and approach, it can completely transform how you show up on the platform. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the most of LinkedIn Creator Mode in 2026.
What is LinkedIn Creator Mode?
Creator Mode is a powerful profile setting on LinkedIn that unlocks advanced tools for content creators, professionals, and thought leaders who want to grow their presence. When you activate it, LinkedIn reshapes your profile to spotlight your original content—shifting focus from connections to followers and making it easier to showcase your expertise.
Once enabled, your posts and articles become more visible across the platform, helping you reach a wider audience. You’ll also gain access to features like content analytics, which reveal who’s viewing your content, how often they engage, and what resonates best. This makes Creator Mode ideal for building authority, attracting leads, and growing influence in your niche.
Why You Should Switch On LinkedIn Creator Mode?
LinkedIn Isn’t Just a Resume Anymore
LinkedIn has transformed into a powerful platform for business networking, content sharing, and personal branding. With over a billion users, just being present isn’t enough—you need a strategy to get noticed. LinkedIn Creator Mode helps professionals cut through the noise, build credibility, and grow real influence within their industry.
Establish Your Expertise Instantly
Creator Mode allows you to choose five key topics or hashtags that reflect your niche. These appear right under your headline, signaling to visitors exactly what you talk about. Whether it’s B2B marketing, leadership, or fintech, these hashtags help define your value and attract a highly targeted audience.
Grow Your Audience Without Extra Effort
Instead of “Connect,” your profile now shows a “Follow” button—making it easier for people to stay updated with your content. No need for mutual approval. Anyone can follow you instantly, helping you grow a larger audience faster without overwhelming your inbox with connection requests.
Showcase Your Best Work at the Top
Your “Featured” and “Activity” sections are moved to the top of your profile, giving prime visibility to your most valuable content. Visitors can immediately see your latest articles, videos, and posts—highlighting your expertise before they even scroll to your work history.
Unlock Exclusive Content Tools
Turning on Creator Mode gives access to high-engagement tools like:
✔ LinkedIn Live – Host live video sessions and connect in real-time.
✔ Newsletters – Build a loyal subscriber base with recurring insights.
✔ Audio Events – Run live voice-based discussions, great for thought leadership and casual Q&As.
Boost Your Visibility and Reach
Creator Mode prioritizes your content in LinkedIn’s feed, showing it to people who follow similar topics—even if they aren’t in your network. More reach means more profile views, conversations, and inbound leads. It’s one of the best ways to increase organic visibility without paid ads.
Turning On LinkedIn Creator Mode: A Step-by-Step Guide
Activating LinkedIn Creator Mode is quick, but setting it up correctly is what truly drives results. Before enabling it, you’re asked to pick 1–5 topics in the form of hashtags. These hashtags play a crucial role in defining your niche and increasing your content’s visibility. They help LinkedIn understand your area of expertise and recommend your content to the right people. Choose them wisely to make the most impact—although you can edit them later, a strategic start always helps.
How to Turn on LinkedIn Creator Mode on Desktop
Enabling Creator Mode from your desktop is easy and allows you to immediately see how your profile layout will change. Once activated, LinkedIn prioritizes your content and sets “Follow” as the default action on your profile instead of “Connect.” This shift is designed to help you attract a content-focused audience and build a community rather than just a network. Here’s how to activate it step-by-step:
On Desktop:
- Click the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage and select View Profile.
- Scroll to the Resources section and find “Creator Mode: Off.”
- Click Next on the pop-up to preview the changes Creator Mode will make.
- Select your 1–5 content topics (hashtags).
- Click Done to activate. Your profile will now highlight your posts and featured content.
How to Turn on LinkedIn Creator Mode on Mobile
If you’re using a smartphone, LinkedIn makes it just as simple to activate Creator Mode. While the process is similar to desktop, the mobile interface is slightly more compact. Still, the impact is the same—more visibility, more followers, and access to special creator tools. Follow these steps to enable Creator Mode directly from your mobile app:
On Mobile:
- Tap your Profile Photo and select View Profile.
- Scroll to the Resources section and tap “Creator Mode: Off.”
- Tap Next to preview the upcoming changes.
- Choose up to 5 relevant hashtags that match your content strategy.
- Tap Save and follow the prompts to complete setup.
When Should You Turn Off LinkedIn Creator Mode
You prioritize direct networking over audience growth
If your main goal is to build genuine, one-on-one professional connections, Creator Mode may not serve you well. It replaces the “Connect” button with “Follow,” which can limit direct networking. Turning it off allows you to invite more direct conversations. This approach works best for recruiters or relationship-driven professionals.
You don’t post content frequently
Creator Mode is designed for users who actively share insights, updates, or thought leadership. If you rarely publish posts or updates, the benefits of increased visibility won’t apply. Instead, you may seem inactive to potential followers. In such cases, the traditional profile setup is more effective.
You no longer need access to Creator tools
LinkedIn Live, Newsletters, and Audio Events are great for content-focused professionals. But if your strategy doesn’t include these formats anymore, there’s no point in keeping Creator Mode on. Removing it helps simplify your profile and eliminate distractions. It’s ideal if your focus has shifted from content to career growth or hiring.
You prefer a standard LinkedIn profile layout
Creator Mode moves the Featured and Activity sections up, pushing Experience and About further down. For professionals wanting their work history and background front and center, this layout can be limiting. Turning it off reverts to a more traditional, recruiter-friendly structure. This is helpful if you’re job-seeking or pitching services.
You want to focus on direct outreach and lead generation
If your strategy is outreach-heavy—like sending DMs or generating leads through direct contact—the “Connect” button is crucial. Creator Mode’s “Follow” feature makes outreach less personal. Turning it off can increase your acceptance rate. This is especially relevant for consultants, freelancers, and sales professionals.
What Changes When You Turn Off LinkedIn Creator Mode?
The “Follow” button changes back to “Connect”
Your profile will now encourage visitors to connect with you instead of just following your content. This shift can significantly increase connection requests. It supports more personalized conversations and stronger networking. It’s a return to classic LinkedIn interaction.
Featured and Activity sections move down
When Creator Mode is off, your most recent posts and featured content no longer appear at the top. Instead, LinkedIn prioritizes your Experience and About sections. This gives recruiters or visitors a clearer view of your background. It’s a better fit for professionals showcasing achievements or roles.
Access to Creator tools may be lost
Turning off Creator Mode can restrict features like LinkedIn Live, Newsletters, or Audio Events. These tools are reserved for active content creators. If these aren’t essential to your strategy, this change won’t affect your presence. But if you relied on them, consider the trade-off carefully.
Your content stays visible
Even without Creator Mode, all your past content remains accessible on your profile. However, LinkedIn may reduce its visibility in algorithmic feeds. So while posts won’t disappear, they might reach fewer people. This matters if content discovery is a major goal of your strategy.
Key Features of LinkedIn Creator Mode
Profile Optimization
In standard mode, LinkedIn profiles mainly focus on job titles, work history, and connections. However, Creator Mode shifts the emphasis toward content creation and audience building. The main button on your profile changes from “Connect” to “Follow,” encouraging more people to subscribe without needing approval. This simple change makes it easier to grow a following organically. It positions the user as a thought leader rather than just a job seeker.
Enhanced Content Display
Creator Mode moves the “Featured” and “Activity” sections to the top of your profile layout. This ensures that your most recent posts, articles, or shared media are front and center for visitors. As a result, anyone landing on your profile can immediately see what you talk about and engage faster. It creates a strong first impression and shows off your expertise. The layout change is subtle but highly effective for personal branding.
Access to Creator Tools
One of the biggest advantages of turning on Creator Mode is unlocking powerful content tools. These include LinkedIn Live for video sessions, newsletters for consistent updates, and audio events for interactive discussions. These tools are designed to boost visibility, improve engagement, and foster deeper connections. They help you reach new audiences and keep your existing followers more involved. Overall, they transform LinkedIn into a full-scale content platform
Final Verdict
LinkedIn Creator Mode is a powerful tool for anyone building a brand—especially YouTubers, Instagram influencers, TikTokers, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs. By unlocking tools like newsletters, LinkedIn Live, and a more dynamic profile layout, it invites creators to share valuable content and expand their reach on a professional network.
Just like Instagram rewards Reels creators, LinkedIn prioritizes users who fully utilize its features. So, if you’re serious about boosting engagement, gaining followers, and unlocking B2B growth opportunities, turning on Creator Mode is a smart move. It’s not just about visibility—it’s about maximizing your presence where it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is LinkedIn Creator Mode?
Creator Mode is a LinkedIn profile setting designed for users who create and share content regularly. It unlocks features like the “Follow” button, highlights your posts, and gives access to tools like LinkedIn Live and Newsletters.
Who should turn on Creator Mode?
It’s ideal for content creators, freelancers, marketers, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to build a personal brand, grow an audience, and increase engagement on LinkedIn.
Does Creator Mode affect my profile layout?
Yes. When enabled, your “Featured” and “Activity” sections move to the top, your main button changes to “Follow,” and your About and Experience sections move lower.
Will my content disappear if I turn off Creator Mode?
No. All your posts and activity remain visible on your profile, even after disabling Creator Mode. However, LinkedIn may reduce the content’s discoverability.
Can I switch Creator Mode on and off anytime?
Absolutely. You can turn it on or off anytime through your LinkedIn profile settings, depending on your content strategy and networking goals.
