LinkedIn Articles: How to Write & Publish Long-Form Content

LinkedIn articles are long-form content pieces (up to 120,000 characters) that live permanently on your profile and are searchable on Google. Unlike regular posts limited to 3,000 characters, articles let you dive deep into topics. According to Engage AI, articles are best for thought leadership and evergreen content, while posts work better for immediate engagement.

Key Takeaways

• Article limit: Up to 120,000 characters (~20,000+ words)
• Post limit: 3,000 characters (~500 words)
• Google indexable: Articles appear in search results; posts don't
• Profile display: Articles stay on your profile permanently
• Lower feed priority: LinkedIn's algorithm favors posts over articles

LinkedIn Articles vs Posts: Key Differences

Feature	Articles	Posts
Character limit	120,000	3,000
Google searchable	Yes	No
Feed visibility	Lower priority	Higher priority
Profile permanence	Permanent	Scroll away
Rich formatting	Full (headers, images, links)	Limited
Best for	Thought leadership, guides	Daily engagement

When to Use Articles vs Posts

According to ContentIn, choose your format based on your goals:

Use Articles When:

• Creating evergreen content: Guides, tutorials, comprehensive how-tos
• Building a content portfolio: Showcasing expertise over time
• Targeting Google search: SEO-optimized thought leadership
• Repurposing blog content: Expanding reach of existing content
• Deep diving on topics: Complex subjects requiring 1,000+ words

Use Posts When:

• Seeking immediate engagement: Likes, comments, shares
• Sharing quick insights: Tips, observations, updates
• Building daily visibility: Consistent feed presence
• Starting conversations: Discussion-oriented content
• Time-sensitive content: News, trends, announcements

How to Write a LinkedIn Article

Step 1: Access the Article Editor

1. Go to your LinkedIn homepage
2. Click "Write article" below the "Start a post" text area
3. The article editor opens in a new page

Step 2: Add a Cover Image

According to Dripify, cover images significantly impact click-through rates:

• Recommended size: 1280 x 720 pixels
• Use high-quality images: Professional photos or custom graphics
• Make it relevant: Image should relate to article content
• Include text overlays sparingly: Keep it clean and readable

Step 3: Write a Compelling Headline

Your headline determines whether people click:

• Keep it under 100 characters: Ensures full display
• Include keywords: For Google and LinkedIn search
• Promise value: What will readers learn or gain?
• Use numbers when relevant: "7 Ways to..." performs well

Step 4: Structure Your Content

According to Linked Helper, well-structured articles perform better:

Introduction (first 40-60 words):

• Hook the reader immediately
• State the benefit of reading
• Preview what's covered

Body:

• Use headers (H2, H3) to break up sections
• Include bullet points and numbered lists
• Add images every 300-500 words
• Keep paragraphs short (2-4 sentences)

Conclusion:

• Summarize key points
• Include a clear call-to-action
• Invite comments and discussion

Step 5: Publish and Promote

1. Click "Publish" when ready
2. Write a companion post promoting the article
3. Share in relevant LinkedIn groups
4. Cross-promote on other social channels

Best Practices for LinkedIn Articles

Optimize for SEO

According to Social Hive, LinkedIn articles are indexed by Google:

• Include target keywords in headline and first paragraph
• Use keywords naturally throughout
• Add alt text to images
• Create a meta-description-worthy opening

Include Visual Elements

• Cover image: Required for professional appearance
• Inline images: Break up text, illustrate points
• Charts/graphs: Data visualization increases credibility
• Screenshots: For tutorials and how-tos

Length Guidelines

According to The IN Academy:

• Minimum: 500 words (below this, use a post instead)
• Sweet spot: 1,000-2,000 words
• Maximum: As long as needed (but respect reader time)

Engagement Tactics

• Ask questions to encourage comments
• Tag relevant people or companies
• Respond to all comments promptly
• Share article link in follow-up posts

The 2026 Reality: Articles Get Less Feed Visibility

According to Circleboom, LinkedIn's algorithm currently prioritizes posts over articles:

"LinkedIn Pulse Articles are currently the least prioritized item in the news feed, as LinkedIn moved its preference to prioritize short status posts or updates."

Strategy to Overcome This

According to Lindsey Scott on LinkedIn:

1. Write articles for your website first
2. Republish on LinkedIn (with canonical tag consideration)
3. Create 4-5 short posts promoting/repurposing the article
4. Use posts to drive traffic to the full article

This way, posts create visibility in feeds, while articles serve as comprehensive resources on your profile.

Converting Articles to Newsletters

According to nDash, LinkedIn newsletters offer advantages over standalone articles:

Benefits of Newsletters

• Subscriber notifications: Followers get notified of new issues
• Built-in audience: Subscribers receive emails for each edition
• Profile integration: Newsletter stays prominent on your profile
• Growth potential: LinkedIn promotes newsletters to non-subscribers

How to Start a Newsletter

1. Enable Creator Mode on your profile
2. Click "Write article"
3. Select "Create a newsletter"
4. Set up newsletter name, description, and publishing cadence
5. Publish your first edition

Article Ideas by Industry

Sales/Business Development

• "How I Closed $X in [Year]: Lessons Learned"
• "The Discovery Call Framework That Doubles Close Rates"
• "Why [Common Tactic] No Longer Works in [Year]"

Marketing

• "The Content Strategy That Generated X Leads"
• "Complete Guide to [Platform] Marketing in [Year]"
• "How We Increased [Metric] by X%: A Case Study"

Technology

• "Implementing [Technology]: A Step-by-Step Guide"
• "The Future of [Tech Trend]: What to Expect"
• "[Tool A] vs [Tool B]: Complete Comparison"

Leadership/Management

• "Building High-Performance Teams: What Actually Works"
• "The Leadership Mistake I'll Never Make Again"
• "Managing Remote Teams: Lessons from [X] Years"

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I write an article on LinkedIn?

Click "Write article" on your LinkedIn homepage (below the post box). Add a cover image, write your headline, and use the editor to create your content with formatting options like headers, bullet points, and images. When finished, click "Publish." The article appears on your profile and in your connections' feeds.

What's the difference between LinkedIn articles and posts?

Articles are long-form content (up to 120,000 characters) with rich formatting, permanent profile placement, and Google indexing. Posts are short (3,000 characters), appear primarily in the feed, and aren't searchable on Google. Articles work best for comprehensive thought leadership; posts work best for daily engagement.

Are LinkedIn articles still worth writing in 2026?

Yes, but with adjusted expectations. Articles receive less feed visibility than posts, but they're valuable for Google search traffic, building a content portfolio on your profile, and establishing deep expertise. The best strategy: publish articles for comprehensive topics, then create multiple posts promoting and repurposing that content.

How long should a LinkedIn article be?

Aim for 1,000-2,000 words for most topics. Anything under 500 words works better as a post. The key is covering your topic thoroughly without padding—be as long as necessary but as concise as possible. Use headers, bullet points, and images to make longer articles scannable.

Can I republish blog posts as LinkedIn articles?

Yes, many professionals republish their blog content on LinkedIn to expand reach. For SEO considerations, publish on your website first, then republish on LinkedIn after a few days. LinkedIn articles get indexed by Google, so consider canonical URLs if duplicate content concerns you. Many find the expanded audience worth any SEO tradeoffs.

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