“Share an Update” vs “Write an Article” on LinkedIn

This tiny button choice can make a big difference in how far your content goes.

Guest Contributor

Sara Jang is a LinkedIn strategist and communications pro with 18+ years of experience leading PR and marketing for global brands. She's the go-to expert for B2B companies looking to grow on LinkedIn — from crafting content that gets noticed to building real thought leadership. If you want LinkedIn to actually work for you, Sara’s insights cut through the noise and deliver what matters.

✍️Let’s be honest — most people just click whatever appears first when posting on LinkedIn.

“Share an Update”? “Write an Article”? 🤷‍♀️

They kinda look the same, right?

But here’s the thing: LinkedIn’s algorithm sees them very differently.

And depending on which one you choose, your reach, visibility, and engagement can be totally different.

Same story, totally different impact.

1. “Share an Update” = Great for Quick Announcements

“Share an Update” is mostly used for profile-related news — the kind of stuff LinkedIn loves to notify your network about. Think:

🎉 Starting a new job
📈 Getting promoted or switching roles
🏅 Earning a certification
🎂 Work anniversaries or birthdays

LinkedIn often catches these changes on its own and sends out a notification like:

“Alex just started a new role at XYZ Inc.”

So yes, this is great for quick reactions — likes, congrats, and a little buzz. But it’s also kind of like a pop-up — here today, gone tomorrow.

If you want to share more than just the headline, this probably isn’t the best route.

2. “Write an Article” = Tell Your Story, Build Your Voice

This is where things get interesting. When you write a post, the algorithm looks way deeper.

It asks:

🔥 Is the hook strong enough to stop scrolling?
⏱️ Are people sticking around to read the full post?
💬 Are they commenting, saving, or sharing it?
🖼️ Are you using images, hashtags, or tagging others?

If your post checks these boxes, LinkedIn pushes it further in people’s feeds. It sees it as valuable — and shows it to more people.

So, if you’re sharing a career lesson, a personal story, or tips your industry can learn from, “Write an Article” is the way to go. That’s what builds credibility, reach, and new connections.

3. A Quick Example: Announcing a New Job

Option 1: Share an Update You post: “Thrilled to join ABC Corp as Marketing Director!” → LinkedIn sends out a notification → You get instant likes → But the moment passes quickly

Option 2: Write a Post You write: “Why I made this career move, how my values shaped the decision, and what I’m excited to build next.” → People read, reflect, save, and respond → You spark real conversations — and stay in their mind longer

Bottom line?

Updates = great for short-term buzz
Posts = long-term visibility and deeper engagement

4. Why Does This Even Matter?

At the end of the day, what really matters is how your content is consumed.

Sure, people on LinkedIn like seeing profile updates — but what they actually save, share, and engage with are posts with real substance.

And guess what? The algorithm knows this too.

Posts that get meaningful comments, saves, and even DMs?

LinkedIn sees that as “high-quality content” — and pushes it further across the platform. 🚀

So here’s the takeaway:

🟦 Updates are great for profile announcements

✍️ Posts are essential for building connections through content

5. Common Mistakes Real Users Make

“No one’s reading my post…” — Here’s why 👀

→ You probably used ‘Share an Update’. Profile updates don’t travel far.

“I got tons of likes, but no real conversation.”

→ That’s the thing — updates spark short-term reactions, but they’re weak when it comes to long-term engagement.

“I changed jobs, but no one got the update!”

→ You might’ve just written a post but forgot to update your profile.

LinkedIn only sends notifications based on profile changes, not posts alone.

6. The Power Is in the Button You Click

Want to boost your reach on LinkedIn? It all starts with choosing the right format:

✅ Sharing a simple milestone or event → Use ‘Share an Update’

✅ Sharing a story, insight, tip, or reflection → Use ‘Write a Post’

And if you’re posting content, don’t forget these 3 key tips:

Start with a killer hook 🔥
Those first 2–3 lines decide your fate. If people don’t click “see more”, you’ve already lost them.
Try a carousel (PDF post) 📄
It encourages clicks → increases dwell time → boosts your post in the algorithm
Ask a question, tag people, use hashtags 💬
Engagement leads to reach — and reach leads to new connections.