How to Add Interests on LinkedIn?
The interests section of your LinkedIn profile provides an opportunity to connect with your visitors on a personal level.
If you are reading this article, you probably want to know how to add your interests on LinkedIn. Before we dive into the process, it’s important to know this:
Adding interests on LinkedIn was straightforward in the past. You could just log into your account, access the “Additional Information” section, and update your interests.
However, now, you can’t do that; the only way to showcase your interests on your LinkedIn profile is to follow pages related to your interests.
According to LinkedIn, the step was taken to keep the platform professional.
Let’s dive right in.
How to Add Interests on LinkedIn?
When you create your LinkedIn profile, the platform asks about your information, which also includes your interests.
So, after you provide your name, email, phone number, address, and other details, LinkedIn asks for your interests.
Select the companies and people that interest you from the list shown by LinkedIn.
That was for those who don’t yet have a LinkedIn profile. So, you can easily add your interests while creating one.
For those who do have a LinkedIn account, you can simply type in the names of companies and people in the search bar.
While searching for a company or person of your interest, you’ll also see some additional recommendations.
Click on the page or profile and open it.
Click on “Follow” just below the profile picture.
The company or person that you follow on LinkedIn will now be added to your profile’s interests section.
If you follow the right pages on the platform, it can boost your profile’s relevance and visibility, helping you grow in your respective industry.
How to Remove Interests from Your LinkedIn Profile?
LinkedIn automatically creates your interests based on your activity. This includes:
1. The schools you follow
2. The personalities you follow
3. The companies you follow
4. The groups you are a part of
So, adding your intereststo your LinkedIn profile is a pretty straightforward task. However, removing them can prove to be a little tricky.
So, it’s important that you think before following a page and joining a group on LinkedIn.
Here is how you can remove interests from your LinkedIn profile:
Go to your profile page and scroll down to the bottom. Find the “Interests” section there and click on “See all”.
LinkedIn will now show your interests by category.
Just hover over the influencer, company, group, or school you want to remove from your interests and click on the “Following” button against them.
Source: Linkedin.com
Alternatively, you can go to their individual pages and click on the “Following” button. LinkedIn will then show a confirmation pop-up asking you to review your decision.
How to Remove Groups from Your LinkedIn Profile?
Removing groups from your LinkedIn profile is also fairly easy.
First, you need to go to the groups‘ page on LinkedIn.
Click on the group that you want to remove from your LinkedIn interests.
You’ll be redirected to its page.
Click on the three dots; a drop-down menu will show. Select “Update your settings” as shown in the picture below.
Source: Linkedin.com
Now, just turn off the “Display group on profile” option.
Your group will no longer be a part of your LinkedIn interests.
It’s important to note that you can still be a part of a group that isn’t a part of your interests. So, you can hide a group from your interests without leaving it.
But, what if you wanted to leave a group too?
Here is the procedure for that:
Click on the three dots in front of the group that you want to leave. Click “Leave this group”.
LinkedIn will show a pop-up confirming if you really want to leave that group.
How to View Interests of Others on LinkedIn?
In addition to showcasing your interests to the world, you can also find out what other LinkedIn users are interested in.
Here is the step-by-step process to find out others’ interests.
After opening your LinkedIn profile, search for the person you want to get that information about. Visit their profile and scroll down to the bottom of it.
You’ll see the interests of that person there.
This can help you find the overlapping interests that can help you decide whether they would be a suitable connection on LinkedIn.
If you want to add their interests to your profile, you can do that too.
Click on “See all” after scrolling down to the “Interests” section on their profile.
You’ll see the list of interests in 4 different categories: Influencers, companies, groups, and schools. Just follow the pages that you are interested in.
Benefits of Adding Interests on LinkedIn
One major advantage of adding your interests on LinkedIn is that you get a competitive edge over those who don’t have this information.
Plus, adding your interests can also help advertisers on LinkedIn to get in touch with you.
Let’s say you want to work in a specific company and have added it to your interests. Whenever a vacancy is opened in that company, the advertiser can reach you thanks to the information you provided to LinkedIn.
Adding LinkedIn interests can also help you connect with the right kind of people on the platform. This can open up new opportunities for your business and career as well.
Final Thoughts
Your LinkedIn interests can be a good way to connect with the right people on the platform. But, showcasing your interests to the LinkedIn world isn’t as straightforward as it used to be.
You can’t add your interests manually now. Instead, you have to follow the related companies, influencers, groups, and schools to show your interests.
Here is a quick recap of “How to add interests on LinkedIn?”.
1. Search the company, person, school, or group to follow
2. Go to their page
3. Click the “Follow” button just below their profile picture
