TL;DR
Writer Joan Westenberg says she deleted her LinkedIn account after growing frustrated with impersonal connections, pitch-driven messages and low-quality content. She argues the platform prioritizes sales and vanity metrics over authentic, one-to-one interaction and prefers other niche sites for meaningful engagement.
What happened
Joan Westenberg reports she removed her LinkedIn account to escape what she describes as persistent, inauthentic outreach and performative content. She recounts receiving more than 500 automated birthday greetings from contacts she barely recognized and says that many initial messages on the service are thinly veiled sales pitches or spam. Westenberg criticizes LinkedIn for rewarding curated self-presentation and shallow metrics — likes, shares and connection counts — while delivering poor organic reach for genuine posts. She cites BuzzFeed writers’ identification of the “broem” post format as an example of the platform’s formulaic content. Rather than continue participating in that environment, she says she’ll invest her time in other online spaces where people come to learn, research or create — naming Quora, AngelList, Dribbble, Medium, Substack and Twitter as preferred alternatives. The piece was originally published on Medium and syndicated to The Next Web on Feb. 18, 2021.
Why it matters
- Professional networking platforms shape how people communicate and what counts as ‘meaningful’ connection.
- A shift away from platforms perceived as performative may change where professionals seek opportunities and advice.
- Content creators who prioritize genuine engagement may find niche or topic-focused sites more productive than broad social networks.
- Debates about data trade-offs and unsolicited outreach highlight user concerns about privacy and platform design.
Key facts
- Author Joan Westenberg deleted her LinkedIn account and described the decision in a Medium piece republished by The Next Web.
- She received over 500 birthday greetings from LinkedIn contacts, many of whom she did not recognize.
- Westenberg characterizes LinkedIn interactions as dominated by sales pitches, spam and inauthentic self-promotion.
- She argues the platform’s organic reach for content is limited, making publishing there less effective for some creators.
- BuzzFeed writers Alex Kantrowitz and Ryan Mac are cited in the piece for identifying the “broem” post format common on LinkedIn.
- Westenberg prefers platforms she believes support research and meaningful exchange, including Quora, AngelList, Dribbble, Medium, Substack and Twitter.
- The article frames LinkedIn as prioritizing vanity metrics (likes, follows, comments) over substantive one-to-one engagement.
- The column was published on Feb. 18, 2021 and originally appeared on Medium.
What to watch next
- Whether LinkedIn implements changes to reduce spammy outreach and improve content authenticity — not confirmed in the source
- If a broader user migration from LinkedIn to niche communities accelerates — not confirmed in the source
- How recruiters and hiring processes adapt if professionals increasingly avoid LinkedIn — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- LinkedIn: A professional networking platform where users create profiles, connect with colleagues and share industry-related content.
- Organic reach: The number of people who see content without paid promotion or advertising.
- Vanity metrics: Quantitative measures such as likes or follower counts that may look impressive but don’t necessarily indicate meaningful engagement.
- Cold sales call: An unsolicited outreach to a potential customer or contact with the aim of selling a product or service.
Reader FAQ
Did the author delete her LinkedIn account?
Yes. Joan Westenberg says she deleted her LinkedIn account and explains her reasons in the published piece.
Why did she leave LinkedIn?
She cites pervasive sales outreach, insincere or automated interactions (including hundreds of birthday messages), low content authenticity and poor organic reach.
Does the article say LinkedIn never helps people find jobs?
No. The author acknowledges some people find jobs and opportunities on LinkedIn, but says she did not experience that benefit personally.
Will leaving LinkedIn harm job prospects?
Not confirmed in the source
I deleted LinkedIn this week. I am enjoying a refreshing break from SEO and VA business development managers who want to connect in the name of synergy. From work/life coaches…
Sources
- Delete LinkedIn – you'll have zero fucking regrets (2021)
- Why Delete your LinkedIn — And What to Replace it with
- I deleted my LinkedIn account
- Reflecting on Deleting LinkedIn – by Mehret Biruk
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