#048 - Is It Time to Ditch LinkedIn Groups in 2024?
LinkedIn launched groups back in 2005 as a premium feature but later opened them up to everyone. For the first decade, groups thrived with active discussions and valuable insights being shared.
Joining niche LinkedIn groups used to be a great way to expand your network and connect with professionals who shared similar interests. However, things began to change in 2012 when platforms like Hubspot were allowed to auto-post in groups. This led to people posting in multiple groups without ever participating in any meaningful way.

As a result, groups were flooded with promotional content, and what started as a valuable space quickly turned into a spam zone. The engagement dropped, and many groups became inactive, filled with irrelevant content.
So, in 2024, are LinkedIn groups still worth your time? Or are they just spam-filled?

An example of a LinkedIn group flooded with spam links to promote blogs, external sites, and other external content.
Unfortunately, around 90% of LinkedIn groups today are inactive, with very little engagement. Even for the groups that remain active, it takes a lot of work from the group managers to keep them spam-free.
Why You Should Still Consider LinkedIn Groups in 2024
That said, don’t completely write off LinkedIn groups just yet. While their golden age has passed, there are still ways to benefit from them if you’re strategic. Here’s why they might still be worth your time:
1. Niche Access: With almost 3 million groups on LinkedIn, there’s a good chance there’s a community tailored to your target audience. Joining active, niche groups can give you access to people you might not reach otherwise.
2. Thought Leadership: In the right group, you can position yourself as an industry leader by sharing insights and resources. Show your expertise, don’t sell.
3. Relationship Building: Active groups provide the opportunity to start genuine conversations and nurture relationships over time. You can take these connections offline for more meaningful engagement.
4. Lead Generation: Consistent participation in a relevant group will lead to more profile views, connection requests, and conversations with interested prospects.
5. Competitive Advantage: Many companies have disengaged from groups, so if you’re providing real value, you can stand out from your competitors.
How to Find Valuable LinkedIn Groups in 2024
Here’s how to evaluate whether a group is worth your time:
1. Check Activity: Browse recent posts. Are members commenting and engaging, or is the group inactive?
2. Comment-to-Post Ratio: Look for posts that are a few days old. Do they have comments and reactions? Ideally, a post should have at least 5-10 comments.
3. Review the Rules: Groups that enforce guidelines against self-promotion tend to have better engagement. Less spam means more meaningful conversations.
4. Look for Spam: Are there repetitive posts or obvious promotions? If so, it’s likely the group is poorly moderated.
5. Check Member Profiles: Are the members real professionals or do they seem inactive or fake?
6. Observe Engagement: Is the group owner actively participating? Do they encourage meaningful discussions?
Should You Invest Time in LinkedIn Groups in 2024?
My recommendation is to explore niche groups that align with your audience. Use the tips above to vet them thoroughly. If you find well-moderated groups with real conversations, they can still be a valuable part of your relationship-building strategy, especially if your competitors are missing out.
However, avoid joining random groups and spamming them with content—it won’t get results and will only frustrate others. If done right, LinkedIn groups can still offer networking opportunities in 2024.