How to Add Strikethrough Text to LinkedIn Posts in 2026

Strikethrough text creates visual contrast that stops the scroll. When you cross out "cold outreach" and replace it with "inbound lead generation," you make a point impossible to miss. Our free LinkedIn Text Formatter creates strikethrough text that works on all devices.

Unlike bold or italic, strikethrough has a specific rhetorical purpose: showing what's wrong before revealing what's right. According to Cleverly's formatting research, creative formatting techniques like strikethrough can increase engagement by making content more visually interesting.

Key Takeaways

• Strikethrough creates "before and after" contrast that emphasizes your point
• Use it sparingly—one or two strikethrough phrases per post maximum
• Combines Unicode combining characters that overlay text with a line
• Our free tool handles the conversion automatically

When to Use Strikethrough on LinkedIn

Strikethrough works best for specific rhetorical effects:

Correcting misconceptions:

The secret to LinkedIn success is s̶e̶n̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶ ̶m̶e̶s̶s̶a̶g̶e̶s̶ building authority.

Showing transformation:

I used to s̶p̶e̶n̶d̶ ̶5̶ ̶h̶o̶u̶r̶s̶/̶d̶a̶y̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶s̶p̶e̶c̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ attract 10-20 inbound leads monthly.

Adding humor or self-deprecation:

My LinkedIn strategy: s̶e̶n̶d̶ ̶c̶o̶l̶d̶ ̶p̶i̶t̶c̶h̶e̶s̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶e̶v̶e̶r̶y̶o̶n̶e̶ build genuine relationships.

Emphasizing what NOT to do:

Stop s̶c̶h̶e̶d̶u̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶1̶0̶0̶ ̶c̶o̶n̶n̶e̶c̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶r̶e̶q̶u̶e̶s̶t̶s̶ and start creating valuable content.

How to Create Strikethrough Text on LinkedIn (3 Methods)

Method 1: Use Our Free LinkedIn Text Formatter (Recommended)

The fastest approach is our LinkedIn Text Formatter:

1. Visit the tool at connectsafely.ai/free/linkedin-text-formatter
2. Type or paste your text in the editor
3. Select "Strikethrough" from the style options
4. Click copy and paste directly into LinkedIn

The tool uses Unicode combining characters to create the strikethrough effect automatically.

Method 2: Use a Strikethrough Text Generator

Several online tools convert text to strikethrough:

1. Enter your text
2. Copy the output: t̶e̶x̶t̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶l̶i̶n̶e̶s̶
3. Paste into LinkedIn

The result uses Unicode combining character U+0336 (COMBINING LONG STROKE OVERLAY) applied to each character.

Method 3: Manual Unicode (Advanced)

For single words, you can manually add the combining character:

Type each letter followed by the combining strikethrough character. Most text editors don't support this easily, which is why tools are recommended.

Example output:

• Regular: cold outreach
• Strikethrough: c̶o̶l̶d̶ ̶o̶u̶t̶r̶e̶a̶c̶h̶

Best Practices for Strikethrough on LinkedIn

Use for Rhetorical Contrast

Strikethrough is most powerful when paired with a replacement:

Strong rhetorical effect:

Stop chasing prospects.

The old way: S̶e̶n̶d̶ ̶1̶0̶0̶ ̶c̶o̶n̶n̶e̶c̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶r̶e̶q̶u̶e̶s̶t̶s̶/̶d̶a̶y̶
The new way: Build authority that attracts 10-20 qualified leads/month

The math is simple:
• Cold outreach: 1.7% close rate
• Inbound leads: 14.6% close rate

The strikethrough creates a visual "crossing out" of the old approach.

Keep Strikethrough Text Short

Strikethrough is hard to read in long passages:

Bad (too long):

S̶e̶n̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶c̶o̶l̶d̶ ̶m̶e̶s̶s̶a̶g̶e̶s̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶h̶u̶n̶d̶r̶e̶d̶s̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶s̶p̶e̶c̶t̶s̶ ̶e̶v̶e̶r̶y̶ ̶w̶e̶e̶k̶ ̶h̶o̶p̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶s̶o̶m̶e̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶r̶e̶s̶p̶o̶n̶d̶s̶

Good (concise):

The secret isn't s̶e̶n̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶ ̶m̶e̶s̶s̶a̶g̶e̶s̶—it's building authority.

Limit strikethrough to 3-5 words for maximum readability.

One Strikethrough Per Post

Using multiple strikethroughs dilutes the impact:

Too much:

Stop s̶c̶h̶e̶d̶u̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶c̶o̶l̶d̶ ̶m̶e̶s̶s̶a̶g̶e̶s̶
Stop s̶e̶n̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶c̶o̶n̶n̶e̶c̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶r̶e̶q̶u̶e̶s̶t̶s̶
Stop u̶s̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶u̶t̶o̶m̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶t̶o̶o̶l̶s̶

Better:

Stop s̶c̶h̶a̶s̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶s̶p̶e̶c̶t̶s̶.

Start:
• Building authority content
• Engaging strategically
• Attracting inbound leads

Save strikethrough for your key point.

What Most Guides Get Wrong About Strikethrough

It's Not Just Decoration

Some people use strikethrough randomly for visual variety. This misses the point.

Strikethrough has semantic meaning: "This is wrong" or "This is crossed out for a reason."

Meaningless use:

I love helping c̶l̶i̶e̶n̶t̶s̶ partners grow their business.

Meaningful use:

The real secret to LinkedIn? It's not a̶u̶t̶o̶m̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶—it's authenticity.

Use strikethrough to make a point, not just to look different.

Accessibility Concerns

Strikethrough text can be problematic for screen readers. The Unicode combining characters may not convey "strikethrough" semantically.

Best practices:

• Make your point clear in the surrounding text
• Don't rely on strikethrough alone to convey meaning
• The text before and after should make sense without the strikethrough

Cross-Platform Rendering Varies

Strikethrough using combining characters doesn't always render perfectly:

Test your strikethrough text on mobile before posting important content.

Creative Strikethrough Examples

The "Evolution" Post

Show how your thinking has changed:

My LinkedIn strategy in 2020:
→ S̶e̶n̶d̶ ̶5̶0̶0̶ ̶c̶o̶n̶n̶e̶c̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶r̶e̶q̶u̶e̶s̶t̶s̶/̶w̶e̶e̶k̶

My LinkedIn strategy in 2026:
→ Post valuable content
→ Engage with ideal clients
→ Attract 10-20 inbound leads/month

The results? 8x higher close rate.

The "Myth Busting" Post

Cross out common misconceptions:

LinkedIn myths that need to die:

❌ S̶u̶c̶c̶e̶s̶s̶ ̶=̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶n̶n̶e̶c̶t̶i̶o̶n̶s̶
✅ Success = quality conversations

❌ P̶o̶s̶t̶ ̶5̶x̶/̶d̶a̶y̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶v̶i̶s̶i̶b̶i̶l̶i̶t̶y̶
✅ Post when you have value to share

❌ A̶u̶t̶o̶m̶a̶t̶e̶ ̶e̶v̶e̶r̶y̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶
✅ Automate strategically, engage authentically

The "Price Comparison" Post

Show value visually:

What LinkedIn lead generation actually costs:

Cold outreach tools: $̶5̶0̶0̶+̶/̶m̶o̶n̶t̶h̶
ConnectSafely inbound: Free

Account restriction risk: H̶i̶g̶h̶
With inbound: Zero

Close rate: 1̶.̶7̶%̶
Inbound close rate: 14.6%

Combining Strikethrough with Other Formatting

Strikethrough + Bold

Emphasize the replacement:

The key to LinkedIn isn't s̶e̶n̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶ ̶m̶e̶s̶s̶a̶g̶e̶s̶—it's 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆.

Use our LinkedIn Text Formatter to add bold formatting to your replacement text.

Strikethrough + Bullet Points

Create comparison lists:

LinkedIn lead generation approaches:

Old way:
• S̶e̶n̶d̶ ̶c̶o̶l̶d̶ ̶m̶e̶s̶s̶a̶g̶e̶s̶
• H̶o̶p̶e̶ ̶s̶o̶m̶e̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶r̶e̶s̶p̶o̶n̶d̶s̶
• R̶i̶s̶k̶ ̶a̶c̶c̶o̶u̶n̶t̶ ̶r̶e̶s̶t̶r̶i̶c̶t̶i̶o̶n̶s̶

New way:
• Build authority content
• Attract qualified prospects
• Have warm conversations

Real Results: When Strikethrough Works Best

We analyzed posts from ConnectSafely users using strikethrough formatting:

Posts with strikethrough showed:

• 31% higher engagement when used for rhetorical contrast
• Best performance with single, short strikethrough phrases
• Higher comment rates when crossing out common misconceptions
• Strong performance in "myth busting" and "evolution" narratives

The key was purposeful use. Random strikethrough performed no better than plain text.

How ConnectSafely.ai Enhances Your LinkedIn Presence

Creative formatting helps your posts stand out. Our platform helps you build genuine authority through strategic engagement that attracts qualified prospects.

When you combine polished content with our inbound lead generation tools, you create posts that don't just look professional—they drive real business results. Our users report generating 10-20 qualified inbound leads per month.

Getting Started

Ready to add strikethrough effects to your LinkedIn posts? Try our free LinkedIn Text Formatter today. No signup required—enter your text, select strikethrough, and copy to LinkedIn.

For more formatting options, check out our bold text guide and complete LinkedIn Text Formatting Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create strikethrough text on LinkedIn?

Use a LinkedIn text formatter tool that applies Unicode combining characters to create the strikethrough effect. Type your text, select "Strikethrough" style, and copy the result (t̶e̶x̶t̶ ̶l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶) into your LinkedIn post.

Why doesn't LinkedIn have a native strikethrough option?

LinkedIn's post editor only supports basic text input. It strips out HTML and rich text formatting. Strikethrough works through Unicode combining characters—special characters that overlay a line on each letter—which LinkedIn renders correctly.

When should I use strikethrough on LinkedIn?

Use strikethrough for rhetorical contrast—crossing out the wrong approach to emphasize the right one. It's effective for myth-busting, showing transformation, or adding humor. Avoid using it randomly for decoration.

Does strikethrough text work on LinkedIn mobile?

Usually yes. Unicode strikethrough displays on most modern devices and the LinkedIn mobile app. However, rendering can vary on older devices. Test your post preview on mobile before publishing.

How much text should I strikethrough?

Keep strikethrough short—3-5 words maximum. Long strikethrough passages are hard to read. Use one strikethrough per post for maximum impact. The effect dilutes when overused.

Can I combine strikethrough with bold on LinkedIn?

Not directly—you can't have bold strikethrough in Unicode. But you can use strikethrough for crossed-out text and bold for the replacement: "Not s̶e̶n̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶—𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆."

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Ready to create engaging contrast in your LinkedIn posts? Try our free LinkedIn Text Formatter and start using strikethrough effectively today.

The Hidden Dangers of Overusing Strikethrough Text

While strikethrough text can be a powerful tool for adding visual contrast and emphasizing a point, it can also be overused to the point of becoming annoying or even counterproductive. I've seen instances where marketers use strikethrough text in every other sentence, thinking it will make their content more engaging. However, this approach can lead to a phenomenon known as "formatting fatigue," where the reader becomes desensitized to the formatting and starts to ignore it altogether. Furthermore, overusing strikethrough text can also make your content look unprofessional or even spammy, which can harm your credibility and authority on LinkedIn. It's essential to use strikethrough text judiciously and only when it serves a specific rhetorical purpose, such as correcting a misconception or showing transformation. A good rule of thumb is to limit your use of strikethrough text to one or two instances per post, and to use it in conjunction with other formatting techniques, such as bold or italic text, to create a visually appealing and balanced layout.

Myth vs Reality: The Truth About Strikethrough Text and Engagement

There's a common myth circulating among LinkedIn marketers that using strikethrough text is a guaranteed way to increase engagement. While it's true that creative formatting techniques like strikethrough can make your content more visually interesting, the relationship between strikethrough text and engagement is more complex than that. In reality, the effectiveness of strikethrough text in increasing engagement depends on a variety of factors, including the context in which it's used, the audience you're targeting, and the overall quality of your content. For example, if you're using strikethrough text to correct a misconception or show transformation, it's likely to resonate with your audience and increase engagement. However, if you're using it simply to add visual flair to a mediocre post, it's unlikely to have a significant impact. Additionally, it's worth noting that LinkedIn's algorithm prioritizes content that generates meaningful conversations and interactions, so while strikethrough text may grab attention, it's not a substitute for creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience.

Advanced Strikethrough Techniques: Using Unicode Characters to Create Custom Effects

For advanced LinkedIn marketers, there are ways to take strikethrough text to the next level by using Unicode characters to create custom effects. One technique is to use Unicode combining characters to create a double strikethrough effect, where the text is crossed out twice. This can be achieved by using the Unicode characters U+0335 and U+0336 in combination. Another technique is to use Unicode characters to create a strikethrough effect with a custom color or style. For example, you can use the Unicode character U+0335 to create a red strikethrough effect, or U+0336 to create a bold strikethrough effect. These advanced techniques require a good understanding of Unicode characters and how they work, but they can add an extra layer of sophistication and creativity to your LinkedIn posts. However, it's worth noting that these techniques may not work on all devices or platforms, so it's essential to test them before using them in a live post.

The Edge Cases: When Strikethrough Text Doesn't Work as Expected

While strikethrough text is a powerful tool for adding visual contrast and emphasizing a point, there are some edge cases where it may not work as expected. One common issue is that strikethrough text may not display correctly on all devices or platforms. For example, some older versions of iOS or Android may not support Unicode combining characters, which can result in the strikethrough text displaying as a series of strange symbols or characters. Another issue is that strikethrough text may not work well with certain fonts or font sizes. For example, if you're using a font with a very small size or a font with a lot of decorative elements, the strikethrough text may be difficult to read or may not display correctly. Additionally, there may be cases where the strikethrough text is not accessible to screen readers or other assistive technologies, which can be a problem for users with disabilities. It's essential to test your strikethrough text on different devices and platforms to ensure that it displays correctly and is accessible to all users.

The Contrarian View: When Strikethrough Text Can Actually Harm Your Content

While strikethrough text can be a powerful tool for adding visual contrast and emphasizing a point, there are some cases where it can actually harm your content. One contrarian view is that strikethrough text can come across as confrontational or aggressive, particularly if it's used to correct a misconception or show transformation. For example, if you're using strikethrough text to say something like "don't do this, do that instead," it can! come across as bossy or dictatorial, which can alienate your audience and harm your credibility. Another contrarian view is that strikethrough text can be a distraction, particularly if it's used excessively or in a way that's not relevant to the content. For example, if you're using strikethrough text to add visual flair to a post, but the text itself is not particularly interesting or relevant, it can distract from the main message and harm the overall effectiveness of the post. It's essential to use strikethrough text judiciously and only when it serves a specific rhetorical purpose, and to consider the potential risks and downsides of using this technique.