Everywhere Agency and SocialHP Unveil New Report on LinkedIn's Most Influential Voices, Providing a Data-Driven Blueprint for Executives and Marketers

The report, "Maximizing LinkedIn Engagement: Lessons from Top Voices and Fortune 500 CEOs," provides a detailed, data-driven look at how LinkedIn's most visible leaders and influencers use the platform to shape industry conversations, build credibility, and foster deeper audience connections. Based on an analysis of 220 LinkedIn Top Voices and 149 Fortune 500 executives between November 2023 and November 2024, the findings outline the key factors that separate high-performing LinkedIn leaders from those struggling to gain traction.

"LinkedIn is no longer just a professional networking tool—it is the digital epicenter of thought leadership," said Megan Hueter, Managing Director at Everywhere. "Executives and brand leaders who understand how to create compelling, strategic content are not just building their own influence—they are shaping industries. This study breaks down the precise strategies that drive success on the platform."

Inside the Data: What Makes a LinkedIn Leader?

The research confirms that consistency, content themes, and multimedia execution are the biggest drivers of LinkedIn engagement.

• LinkedIn Top Voices— including executives and C-suite leaders who have earned the distinction—achieved an impressive 6.2% average engagement rate across nearly 9,000 posts, far surpassing the typical 1-2% engagement rate for LinkedIn content. This highlights the significant influence and credibility that Top Voice recipients command on the platform, reinforcing their ability to drive meaningful engagement with their audiences.
• AI-related topics and conversations were highly popular among Fortune 500 CEOs, driving strong engagement on the platform. Executive content alone generated nearly 54,000 interactions on AI-related posts over the year we reviewed.
• Posts focused on authenticity and workplace culture also drive strong engagement, averaging 3,736 and 1,854 interactions per post, respectively
• Multimedia is a key driver of engagement, with 80% of top-performing CEO posts incorporating images, documents, or videos. Yet, short-form video remains significantly underutilized, appearing in only 12% of these posts. Meanwhile, LinkedIn data underscores the strong return on video content: total video viewership on the platform increased by 36% year-over-year between Oct. 30, 2024, and Jan. 29, 2025, with video creation growing at twice the rate of other post formats. This gap presents a major opportunity for executives to expand their linkfluence by embracing video more strategically, aligning with platform trends to maximize visibility and engagement.
• Fortune 500 CEOs average 375,000 followers, placing them in the top 5% of LinkedIn users by total followership. This underscores the potential for executives who commit to creating compelling and thoughtful content—demonstrating that, with the right strategy, they can become some of the most influential voices on the platform. However, despite their large audiences, many high-follower executives see low engagement, highlighting the need for a more strategic and impactful content approach.

"Executives who take a deliberate, strategic approach to LinkedIn can achieve far more than visibility—they can create real impact," said Brad Dickinson, Co-Founder of SocialHP. "This data reveals that thought leaders who prioritize consistent engagement, high-quality content, and audience-driven storytelling set themselves apart."

With LinkedIn surpassing one billion users and Gen Z engagement growing at a rapid pace (+13.6% YOY), the platform has evolved into a critical space for brand positioning, executive influence, and professional discourse.

"Executives and marketing leaders need to recognize that LinkedIn isn't just another social channel—it's where reputations are built," added Hueter. "This study gives brands and business leaders the roadmap to stand out, build trust, and make an impact in an increasingly competitive digital landscape."

SOURCE MikeWorldWide