If you’ve been active on LinkedIn but haven’t gained new clients, job leads, or meaningful connections, you may be underusing some of LinkedIn’s most impactful tools. LinkedIn features go far beyond just creating a profile or reacting to posts—they’re powerful assets that can boost your visibility, build your personal brand, and help you stand out in a crowded digital space. In fact, some lesser-known features can increase engagement and profile reach by as much as 246%. Let’s explore three overlooked LinkedIn features that can dramatically elevate your professional presence.
LinkedIn Carousels: Showcase Your Expertise with Style
One of the most effective yet underutilized LinkedIn features is the LinkedIn Carousel. This allows users to upload PDFs—like how-to guides, templates, or curated resources—which appear as swipeable slides in a post. Carousels are eye-catching, easy to consume, and highly engaging, especially when they offer actionable value. You don’t need graphic design skills to get started; free tools like Canva offer customizable carousel templates tailored for LinkedIn. Want to boost visibility? Focus on one key idea per slide and create content that solves a specific problem for your audience. According to Buffer, carousel posts can increase engagement by up to 246%—a game-changer for professionals looking to grow their reach.
Featured Section: Turn Your Profile Into a Digital Portfolio
Another underrated LinkedIn feature is the Featured Content section. Think of this area as your virtual storefront—it’s a curated showcase of your best work, most engaging posts, or key links that build your credibility. Located mid-way down your profile, this section can include a variety of assets: links to your website, high-performing posts, case studies, videos, or media mentions. If you run a LinkedIn newsletter or have standout recommendations, highlight them here too. This section doesn’t just look good—it tells visitors, “I know what I’m doing,” and it can help turn casual views into actual leads, partnerships, or job offers.
LinkedIn SSI Score: Track and Optimize Your Professional Brand
Have you checked your LinkedIn SSI (Social Selling Index) score lately? Most professionals don’t even know it exists. Accessible via linkedin.com/sales/ssi, this score evaluates how well you’re establishing your personal brand, finding the right people, engaging with insights, and building relationships on the platform. With a max score of 100, the SSI provides a clear picture of how well you’re using LinkedIn to build credibility and generate meaningful opportunities. The higher your score, the more visible and influential you become. Use this data to identify where you need improvement—and aim to break into the top 10% of your network.