How to Get Top Voice on LinkedIn

Earning that coveted Top Voice badge on your LinkedIn profile isn't about luck or some secret algorithm, it's a direct result of consistently sharing your expertise in a very specific way. This guide will walk you through the practical, step-by-step process of becoming a Community Top Voice, from optimizing your profile to crafting contributions that get you noticed. We'll cover exactly what LinkedIn's editorial team and community algorithms are looking for.

First Things First: What Exactly is a LinkedIn Top Voice?

Before you start, it’s important to know there are two different "Top Voice" designations on LinkedIn, and they are earned in very different ways.

1. Community Top Voice (The Golden Badge): This is the one you can actively earn through your own efforts. It’s awarded to members who contribute high-quality, relevant insights to LinkedIn's Collaborative Articles. This badge is displayed on your profile in the color gold and is associated with specific skills (e.g., "Top Marketing Voice," "Top SEO Voice"). This is the badge this article will focus on teaching you how to get.

2. Top Voice (The Blue Badge): This is an invitation-only program for senior-level experts and leaders who are chosen directly by the LinkedIn Editorial team. This designation was previously known as the LinkedIn Influencer program. While you can't "apply" for it, following the strategies in this guide will dramatically increase your visibility and position you as the kind of authority they look for.

The goal is to earn the Community Top Voice badge, which anyone can achieve. It’s your most direct path to establishing recognized expertise on the platform.

The Foundation: Your Profile Must Communicate Expertise

You can't be a Top Voice if your profile looks like a ghost town. Before you write a single contribution, make sure your profile is fully optimized to scream "expert." Think of it as the storefront for your professional brand - it needs to be clear, professional, and convincing.

Your Headshot and Banner Image

This is basic but critical. Ditch the vacation photos or blurry selfies. Your headshot should be a high-resolution photo of you looking professional and approachable. Your banner image is an opportunity to add context. It can be a photo of you speaking at an event, a graphic listing your areas of expertise, or imagery representing your industry.

Your Headline is Your Most Important Real Estate

Your job title isn't enough. Your headline follows you everywhere on LinkedIn - in search results, newsfeed comments, and connection requests. It should immediately communicate who you are and what you do. Pack it with relevant keywords for the skills you want to be recognized for.

• Old Headline: Marketing Manager at ACME Inc.
• New Headline: Top Voice in Content Marketing | I Help B2B SaaS Companies Build Organic Growth | SEO &, Brand Strategy

Craft an "About" Section That Tells a Story

Don't just paste your resume here. Your "About" section is your chance to connect with readers on a human level. Structure it clearly:

• Hook: Start with a strong statement about the problem you solve for people.
• Who You Help: Clearly define your target audience.
• How You Help: Describe your process, skills, and your unique perspective.
• Proof: Mention a key accomplishment or two.
• Call to Action: Tell people what you want them to do next (e.g., "Follow me for daily marketing tips" or "Send me a connection request to chat about SEO").

Showcase Your Work in the "Featured" Section

The "Featured" section is your portfolio. Use it to pin your most valuable content. This could be a link to your best LinkedIn post, a company blog you wrote, a podcast you appeared on, or a case study. It’s visual proof of your expertise that backs up the claims you make in the rest of your profile.

The Main Event: Mastering Collaborative Articles

This is the core of the strategy. The only way to algorithmically earn the Community Top Voice badge is by making valuable contributions to Collaborative Articles. These are articles started by LinkedIn's AI that have sections where experts are invited to add their firsthand insights.

How to Find Collaborative Articles

LinkedIn does a good job of pushing these to you. You'll often see notifications saying something like, "Can you add your expertise on SaaS marketing?" You can also actively look for them. Go to any Skill page (e.g., linkedin.com/topics/seo), and you'll find relevant articles to contribute to. You can also visit someone else’s profile who has a Top Voice badge, click on the skill they are known for, and you will find relevant Collaborative Articles there.

Choosing Where to Focus Your Efforts

Don’t try to be a Top Voice in 20 different skills. It dilutes your impact. Pick 3-5 core subjects where you have deep, genuine expertise. Look at your own profile’s "Skills" section for ideas. The goal isn’t to answer everything but to provide standout answers in your chosen niches.

Writing Contributions That Actually Get You the Badge

Your contributions are judged by a combination of the LinkedIn algorithm and the community. Other experts in that field will see and can 'react' to your input. So, your goal is to write something that stands out from generic advice. Generic, low-effort answers won’t cut it.

Each contribution should aim to do one of the following:

1. Provide a Specific, Actionable Example

The AI will often provide a generic statement like "It's important to set clear goals." Your job is to add the color and detail.

• Generic Response: "Yes, setting goals is very important for success."
• Top Voice Response: "A great goal-setting framework is the 'SMART' method. For example, instead of a goal like 'Get more leads,' a SMART goal would be 'Increase MQLs from our blog by 15% in Q3 by publishing two new, SEO-optimized articles per week.' It's specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, which makes it much easier to track."

2. Offer a Unique or Contrarian Viewpoint

If everyone is saying "zigzag," a valuable contribution might explain why "zagging-zig" is a smarter long-term strategy. Don't be disagreeable just for the sake of it, but if you have a genuinely unique perspective backed by experience, share it. It stands out immediately.

3. Share a Personal Story or Case Study

Facts tell, but stories sell. Humans connect with personal experiences. Instead of just stating a fact, frame it within a brief story from your own career.

• Generic Response: "You should analyze your data to find trends."
• Top Voice Response: "At a previous company, our email open rates were C-level. I dove into the analytics and found that emails sent on Saturday mornings had a 10% higher open rate than any weekday. We switched our strategy based on that one data point and saw an immediate jump in engagement. Don't assume you know your audience's habits, let the data tell you."

4. Keep It Concise

You’re not writing a novel. Aim for paragraphs around 75-150 words. Write enough to be substantial, but make it scannable. Use short sentences, and if you have multiple points, consider a bulleted list for readability.

Support Your Bid: Amplify Your Authority Across LinkedIn

While the Top Voice badge is awarded for contributions to Collaborative Articles, your overall LinkedIn activity reinforces your credibility. When other experts are deciding whether to rate your contribution as "Insightful," they might click over to your profile. Seeing a feed full of valuable content shows you walk the talk.

Post Valuable Content Consistently

Your content reinforces the expertise you claim in your profile and contributions. Consistency is more important than frequency.

• Content Pillars: Stick to the 3-5 topics you chose for your Top Voice focus. Your feed should have a clear theme.
• Vary Your Formats: Use a mix of text-only posts, carousels (PDFs), polls, quick videos, and images to keep your audience engaged. Each format appeals to different people.
• Teach, Don't Just Sell: The best LinkedIn content feels generous. It teaches, inspires, or starts a conversation. Frame your posts as offering help and value, not just promoting.

Engage Thoughtfully With Others

Your visibility doesn’t just come from your own posts. Commenting thoughtfully on other leaders' posts in your niche exposes your name and headline to their entire audience. Good comments are like mini-content pieces. They build relationships and showcase your thought leadership outside of your own feed.

Demonstrate Depth with LinkedIn Articles &, Newsletters

Writing long-form LinkedIn articles or newsletters showcases your ability to dive deeper into a topic. This is a different strategy than your daily contributions, but it shows a serious commitment to your field and proves your depth of knowledge.

Track Your Progress and Stay Consistent

The Community Top Voice badge is not permanent - it expires after 60 days of inactivity. You need to keep contributing to keep it.

You can track your progress by going to the "Top Voice" section on your profile under your 'Resources' section. LinkedIn shows you how close you are to retaining the badges in your chosen skills.

This is a marathon, not a sprint. Be consistent, be patient, and be persistent. The results will come with time.

Final Thoughts

Earning that golden Top Voice badge on LinkedIn is an achievable goal. By optimizing your profile, making high-quality contributions to LinkedIn's Collaborative Articles, and building your broader authority through consistent posting and engagement, you position yourself as the recognized expert in your field.

Maintaining the level of thought leadership and consistent content necessary to retain a Top Voice status can be demanding. We designed Postbase to make this process smoother. Our visual calendar lets you map out your content pillars, and our reliable scheduling ensures your valuable insights go live consistently, keeping your expertise top-of-mind without the daily administrative burden of creating your content across the platform.