Jake spent hours crafting LinkedIn posts. He'd publish, wait for engagement, and wonder why his network wasn't growing. Then someone told him: "Your comments are content too." At first, he didn't get it. Comments were just reactions, right? Quick replies to other people's ideas?
But he tried an experiment. For two weeks, he spent 20 minutes daily leaving thoughtful, substantive comments on posts from people in his industry—people he didn't know yet. No self-promotion. Just genuine engagement. By day ten, three of those strangers had connected with him. By week two, one had invited him to collaborate on a project. He hadn't posted anything new. He'd just shown up thoughtfully in other people's comment sections.
Understanding LinkedIn comment strategy isn't about gaming the algorithm. It's about recognizing that where you show up matters as much as what you publish. Comments are your daily at-bats. Posts are your occasional home runs. If you're only swinging for home runs, you're missing 90% of the game.
Why Comments Extend Your Reach More Than You Think
When you comment on someone's post, you're not just talking to the original poster. You're positioning yourself in front of everyone else reading that post—including their audience, their connections, and anyone who engages with that thread later.
What happens when you leave a thoughtful comment:
- You appear in the comment section, where engaged readers are already spending time
- Your profile becomes clickable to anyone who finds your comment valuable
- The original poster often replies, creating a back-and-forth that signals the algorithm to show the post to more people
- Other commenters see your contribution and may connect with you directly
- You're "borrowing" someone else's audience by adding value to their content
Think of it this way: a post with 10,000 views and 50 comments is a room full of 10,000 people where 50 people are actively talking. If you say something insightful in that room, everyone hears it—not just the person who started the conversation.
The Anatomy of a Strategic Comment
Not all comments are created equal. "Great post!" or "Thanks for sharing!" are engagement, but they're not strategic. They don't showcase your thinking, invite dialogue, or make people curious about who you are.
Weak Comments (Low Strategic Value):
"This is so true!"
Signals agreement but adds nothing. Doesn't showcase your expertise or perspective.
"Great insight 👏"
Emoji reactions are fine, but they're forgettable. Nobody clicks a profile based on an emoji.
"Couldn't agree more!"
Agreeing without elaborating is a missed opportunity to show how you think.
Strong Comments (High Strategic Value):
The Build-On Comment:
"This resonates. I'd add that [related insight or nuance]. In my experience, [specific example]."
Why it works: You're agreeing and adding value. Shows you can think alongside others, not just react.
The Challenge Comment:
"I see your point, but I've found [alternative perspective]. What's worked for me is [different approach]. Curious if you've tried that?"
Why it works: Respectful disagreement is memorable. It sparks dialogue and shows independent thinking.
The Question Comment:
"This is a great framework. How do you apply this when [specific scenario or edge case]?"
Why it works: Thoughtful questions show engagement and often prompt the OP to elaborate, keeping the thread alive.
The Story Comment:
"I experienced this firsthand. [Brief, relevant anecdote]. Your point about [specific detail from post] hit home."
Why it works: Personal stories build connection. They make you memorable and relatable.
For insights on how to deepen these initial comment exchanges, see how to turn LinkedIn comments into conversations.
Where to Comment (And Where Not To)
Strategic commenting isn't about volume. It's about showing up in the right rooms.
High-Value Commenting Opportunities:
- Posts from people in your industry you want to connect with: Thought leaders, potential collaborators, prospective clients
- Posts with active comment threads: More visibility, higher likelihood of sparking dialogue
- Posts on topics where you have genuine expertise or experience: Where you can add unique value, not just echo the consensus
- Posts from second-degree connections: Comments are a warm introduction; your mutual connection adds social proof
Low-Value Commenting Opportunities:
- Posts with hundreds of comments already: Your comment will get buried
- Posts from mega-influencers (100k+ followers): Unless you're adding extraordinary value, you'll be invisible in the noise
- Posts outside your professional area: Random comments on unrelated topics dilute your positioning
- Overly promotional posts: Commenting on "Check out my new course!" posts rarely leads to meaningful connection
The best commenting strategy: find 5-10 people in your field who post regularly and show up consistently on their content. Over time, they'll notice. So will their audience.
This builds on the broader principle of showing up consistently. Learn more in why consistency beats charisma on LinkedIn.
How Comments Build Authority Over Time
When you consistently leave thoughtful comments, you're not just engaging—you're auditioning. You're showing people how you think before they ever read one of your posts.
What regular, strategic commenting signals:
- You're informed: You understand industry conversations and can contribute meaningfully
- You're generous: You're willing to give value without needing credit or a platform
- You're collaborative: You engage with others' ideas instead of waiting for your turn to speak
- You're trustworthy: People see you showing up over weeks and months, not just when you're selling something
Authority doesn't come from broadcasting. It comes from being part of the conversation. Comments let you be part of dozens of conversations every week—far more than you could sustain through posts alone.
For a deeper dive into why commenting is powerful, read why commenting is the new cold outreach.
Examples of Effective Replies (With Breakdowns)
Original Post: "Networking isn't about collecting contacts. It's about building relationships."
Weak Reply: "Absolutely! Well said 👏"
Strong Reply: "This is the shift that changed everything for me. I used to measure success by connections added. Now I measure it by meaningful conversations per month. Completely different game. How do you track 'relationship quality' in your own network?"
Why it works: Personal shift (relatable), specific metric (concrete), question (invites dialogue).
Original Post: "The LinkedIn algorithm favors engagement, not reach."
Weak Reply: "Great insight!"
Strong Reply: "I tested this accidentally. Posted twice in one week—one got 50 likes, one got 8 comments. The second one reached 3x more people. Comments > likes, every time. Do you see the same pattern in your analytics?"
Why it works: Adds data, confirms the thesis with evidence, invites OP to share their own findings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many comments should I leave per day to see results without seeming spammy?
Quality over quantity. 3-5 thoughtful comments per day on posts from people you genuinely want to connect with will outperform 20 generic comments scattered everywhere. Aim for depth, not breadth. If you're leaving substantive comments (2-4 sentences), 3-5 is plenty. People will notice consistency over time, not volume in a single day.
Should I comment on posts from competitors or people in my exact niche?
Yes—thoughtfully. Engaging with "competitors" positions you as collaborative, not territorial. It shows confidence. Plus, you share an audience; their readers are your potential connections. Avoid undermining their ideas or subtly promoting yourself. Add value, ask questions, or share complementary perspectives. The best professionals in any field engage with each other publicly.
Is it okay to disagree in comments, or does that hurt my reputation?
Respectful disagreement is one of the most powerful ways to stand out. The key: disagree with the idea, not the person. Use language like "I see it differently" or "In my experience, X hasn't held true" rather than "You're wrong about this." Explain your reasoning. Invite dialogue. Thoughtful dissent shows you think critically and aren't just echoing the crowd.
What if I leave a great comment and the original poster doesn't respond? Was it a waste?
No. Your comment isn't just for the OP—it's for everyone else reading the post. If your comment is insightful, other readers will see it, engage with it, or click your profile. Some of the best connections happen not with the post author but with other commenters who appreciated what you said. Plus, even if the OP doesn't reply, they often see and remember thoughtful engagement.
Next step: Show up strategically, build authority — Try ANDI Free.
