Is LinkedIn Still a Useful Platform for Creatives?

As creatives abandon X, Facebook and Instagram, LinkedIn seems to be standing strong. But is it really the right platform for creative networking? At a time when platforms are rising and falling with alarming regularity, LinkedIn stands as something of an anomaly: a professional networking site that’s maintained its relevance for nearly two decades.

With many creatives falling away from other social platforms, it’s arguably becoming more relevant to our profession than ever. Yet, as we navigate 2025, many are questioning whether LinkedIn serves their unique needs or if it has succumbed to algorithm-driven engagement traps.

What’s still working?

For many creatives, LinkedIn continues to offer unique advantages:

• “It’s the place I go to identify the person at an organisation who has commissioning power,” shares illustrator Ollie Hirst. This direct line to decision-makers remains a strong selling point for freelancers and creative businesses.
• PR and marketing professionals see value in LinkedIn. Vicky Stoakes from Red Setter notes that design agencies have won major business leads through case study posts.
• LinkedIn offers a relatively positive environment—“I find it more positive than other platforms,” says senior designer Pearse O’Halloran.
• Leadership coach Tracy Candido highlights how it’s transformed into an essential networking tool in the mid-2020s.

The algorithmic maze

Despite benefits, frustration is growing over LinkedIn’s evolution toward algorithmic content distribution:

• Visual artist Jeff T Owens describes it as a “brick wall of algorithmic programming.”
• Photographer Anna-Mhairi Kane sees a shift towards “posts made for engagement, not conversation.”
• Editorial illustrator Maksym Filipenko criticizes “annoying AI features,” calling them bland.
• Ben Mottershead sees LinkedIn as an “engagement trap,” yet notes that it can still yield leads.

Finding value in the noise

Amid challenges, many creatives are developing strategies to extract value.

• “It works if you work at it,” says commercial photographer Neil Shearer.
• Consultant Iain Worgan advises finding the right conversations and communities.
• Creative strategy consultant Eliza Evans suggests leveraging short-form video content for creative expression.
• Graphic designer Jaheed Hussain uses it as a digital journal.

Finding your path forward

Whether LinkedIn has value is not a simple yes-or-no answer; it depends on your approach.

Define your purpose—those with clear goals report more satisfaction. Curate aggressively—follow only connections that provide value. Prioritize authenticity in a crowded space. Finally, set boundaries to limit distractions.

Luigi Carnovale encapsulates it well: “LinkedIn stands out because it’s a space for meaningful connections.” It may not be perfect, but it remains perhaps the least bad option for creatives willing to adapt.