LinkedIn Follow vs Connect Explained 2024

Understanding the difference between 'Follow' and 'Connect' on LinkedIn is crucial for effective networking on the platform:

• Connect: When you connect with someone on LinkedIn, it's a mutual relationship. Both parties can see each other's updates and send direct messages. Connections are typically made between individuals who know and trust each other, and by default, you follow your connections.
• Follow: Following someone allows you to see their posts and articles without a mutual connection. The person you follow won't see your posts unless they decide to follow you back. This is a one-way relationship and is useful for keeping up with thought leaders and influencers whose content you find valuable.

To follow or connect with someone on LinkedIn:

1. Visit the person's LinkedIn profile.
2. If you see a 'Connect' button, click it to send a connection request. If you see a 'Follow' button, click it to follow the person.
3. If the profile is in Creator Mode, the default action might be 'Follow'. To connect, click the 'More' button and select 'Connect' from the dropdown menu.
4. If you receive a connection request and your primary action is 'Follow', the requester will follow you while they await your response.

To manage followers or who you're following:

1. Click on the 'Me' icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
2. Select 'Posts & Activity'.
3. In the 'Followers' section, you can see who's following you and manage your own following list.

To switch your profile to prioritize the 'Follow' button:

1. Go to 'Settings & Privacy' under the 'Me' icon.
2. In the 'Visibility' section, find 'Who can follow you' and adjust the settings to show the 'Follow' button as the primary action on your profile.

Remember, the choice between following and connecting should align with your networking goals on LinkedIn. Connecting is better for two-way communication and relationship building, while following is suited for consuming content from individuals you may not know personally.

When navigating the professional landscape of LinkedIn, understanding the nuances of connecting with others is pivotal. While one can manually choose to 'follow' or 'connect' with someone, automating these processes can significantly streamline your networking efforts. Bardeen offers prebuilt automations, known as playbooks, that can handle a variety of LinkedIn tasks, although it may not directly automate the 'follow' or 'connect' action due to platform limitations or user intentions.

Here are some relevant Bardeen automations that can support your LinkedIn networking strategies:

1. Save LinkedIn group members to Google Sheets: This playbook facilitates the process of engaging with your LinkedIn network by automatically extracting LinkedIn group members' details and saving them to Google Sheets.
2. Copy LinkedIn Post commenters to Google Sheets: Enhance your interaction with your audience by saving the information of users who comment on your posts directly to a spreadsheet.
3. Get data from a LinkedIn profile search: Accelerate your networking by extracting valuable data from LinkedIn profile searches and using this information to connect with the right professionals.

By automating these tasks, you can focus more on building meaningful connections. Start automating today by downloading the Bardeen app at Bardeen.ai/download.