Informed: the podcast for LinkedIn® users
John Espirian
"Informed" is for you if you'd like to understand more about how LinkedIn works so that you can be an effective user of the platform.
It's hard to know whom to believe with so many self-appointed gurus out there telling you the latest hacks for going viral and earning 7-figure deals. And even LinkedIn's own publications often don't speak to the reality of using the platform.
But for those who see past superficial promises and sanitised reports, this podcast provides evidence and thoughtful opinion. With a track record of more than 10 years of sensible, no-nonsense advice about honest best practice for LinkedIn, Informed is a trusted source of insight by many thousands of regular listeners.
The show was created by Mark Williams, who's affectionately known as "Mr LinkedIn". Mark retired in late 2025 and handed over the reins of the show to John Espirian, the relentlessly helpful® LinkedIn nerd. John is a LinkedIn trainer and consultant, the founder of the Espresso+ community, the creator of the UpLift Live conference (the UK's original event dedicated to LinkedIn best practice), and the author of the personal branding handbook Content DNA.
John's reputation is for getting to the point and for not being a salesy douche canoe, so you can expect short, sharp episodes with zero ads or sponsored slots. This also is NOT an interview show, so if you've read this far then please don't pitch yourself for a guest appearance. However, you're welcome to get in touch if you have a LinkedIn question you'd like John to cover on the show. (To do that, search for the "Informed podcast" company page on LinkedIn and send a message.)
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by the LinkedIn® corporation. John Espirian is an independent trainer and does not work for LinkedIn® – while it would be great to have LinkedIn's endorsement, the show's independence from the corporation means you, the listener, are never fed an airbrushed political spiel.
It's hard to know whom to believe with so many self-appointed gurus out there telling you the latest hacks for going viral and earning 7-figure deals. And even LinkedIn's own publications often don't speak to the reality of using the platform.
But for those who see past superficial promises and sanitised reports, this podcast provides evidence and thoughtful opinion. With a track record of more than 10 years of sensible, no-nonsense advice about honest best practice for LinkedIn, Informed is a trusted source of insight by many thousands of regular listeners.
The show was created by Mark Williams, who's affectionately known as "Mr LinkedIn". Mark retired in late 2025 and handed over the reins of the show to John Espirian, the relentlessly helpful® LinkedIn nerd. John is a LinkedIn trainer and consultant, the founder of the Espresso+ community, the creator of the UpLift Live conference (the UK's original event dedicated to LinkedIn best practice), and the author of the personal branding handbook Content DNA.
John's reputation is for getting to the point and for not being a salesy douche canoe, so you can expect short, sharp episodes with zero ads or sponsored slots. This also is NOT an interview show, so if you've read this far then please don't pitch yourself for a guest appearance. However, you're welcome to get in touch if you have a LinkedIn question you'd like John to cover on the show. (To do that, search for the "Informed podcast" company page on LinkedIn and send a message.)
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by the LinkedIn® corporation. John Espirian is an independent trainer and does not work for LinkedIn® – while it would be great to have LinkedIn's endorsement, the show's independence from the corporation means you, the listener, are never fed an airbrushed political spiel.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 7, 2023 • 1h 6min
408. LinkedIn™️ adopt a 'pay to spam' policy
LinkedIn restricts customised invitations to just 10 a month!I examine why they are doing it and why it's such a bad idea.That plus:New message inboxes 👍New content search filter 👍Added feature to new custom buttons 👍Name pronunciation goes backwards 👎Does verification make you more visible? 🤔Added value author comments 💡'Top' emerging creators (not) 👎Is it wise for LinkedIn™️ to be 'all in' on AI? 🤔Screw the views! 👍Post of the week 🏆Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Oct 2, 2023 • 1h 7min
407. LinkedIn™️ Content Checklist
There are 5 key questions to ask yourself before you post on LinkedIn™️.If you can consistently deliver on these points, you are much more likely to reach more of the right people on LinkedIn™️.NEW profile 'goals' Connections vs followers - your feedback How to promote a podcast, or anything else on LinkedIn™️ A Hashtag u-turn or misinformation? Have you checked your profile URL preview lately? Daniel Roth the dictator and the arrogance of LinkedIn™️! Post of the week Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Sep 23, 2023 • 1h 3min
406. The first ever UK LinkedIn™️ conference!
This week, I sat down for a chat with the relentlessly helpful, and all-round top bloke John Espirian about the exciting news that there will be a conference for LinkedIn™️ enthusiasts in Birmingham, UK next year. How exciting!More on that later but here's the other things I covered in this weeks podcast:Are search filters going to become a premium feature? 👎 An update of profile custom buttons 👍 Do you hide your connections? 🤔 Are LinkedIn Notifications The New Homepage Feed? 🤔 LinkedIn™️ introductions make a return...ish! 👎 About this profile becomes more prominent 👍 Does AI generated content put you off the 'author'? 🤔 Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Sep 16, 2023 • 46min
Creator mode - the debate is over!
We've had creator mode for over 2 years now and for some, the decision on whether to enable it or not is still debatable...not for me, It's a no brainer! That plus, Passkey access is coming to LinkedIn 10 free AI courses on LinkedIn Learning Generative AI comes to Sales Navigator Do Thought leader ads damage subsequent posts reach Verified profiles get a makeover Post of the week Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Sep 9, 2023 • 49min
Hashtag Deprecation
The news broke last week that LinkedIn have decided to dump hashtags. In this episode I explore what I think is really going on and why I think this isn't quite the bad move others seem to think it is. That plus; Update on search alerts New cybersecurity woes Search filters for dating?! New link for 'build a resume' Profile website links update Profile verification waitlist Post of the week Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Sep 2, 2023 • 1h 8min
A LinkedIn Live with Lynnaire
This week I've been hit with some sort of lurgy that has stolen my voice! So instead of not publishing this week, I thought you might like to listen to a livestream I did with Lynnaire Johnston this week.Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Aug 28, 2023 • 1h 15min
Help!
This week has seen another example of the notorious LinkedIn help center being less than helpful! It's an all to common story unfortunately but why does this happen? According to LinkedIn Help they are 'experimenting' with dropping education, location and wait for it...employers from LinkedIn profiles! Is this true or are they misinformed? That plus; Company page content is showing signs of better reach A new 'personalised' home page feed Thought Leader ads are now rolling out to all companies New mobile search design New Article publishing design New search alerts New Brand partnership label on posts Post of the week Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Aug 12, 2023 • 51min
AI Assistants
Since the introduction of Chat GPT, we have begun to see a range of tools/extensions that broadly describe themselves as 'AI Assistants'. They can be very dangerous! That plus; Font changes on LinkedIn The job title search optimisation dilemma Could collaborative articles be more important than we thought? LinkedIn add Microsoft Designer for AI image posts New profile sections in Featured Sort feed added to the mobile app Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Aug 5, 2023 • 1h 32min
Episode 400
A special episode to celebrate the 400th episode. I swap seats this week and find myself being interviewed by Lynnaire Johnston. "What does it take to produce 400 episodes of the world’s most listened to LinkedIn podcast? How does the host manage to inform and entertain us week after week? And why is Greece his favourite holiday destination?" It’s LinkedInformed, episode 400. Thanks to all those who contributed to this special celebration episode.Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Jul 23, 2023 • 1h 7min
What's happened to Notifications?
Many of us are experiencing a dramatic reduction in post engagement notifications and LinkedIn have admitted that they are prioritising other notifications instead. This week I look at what notifications are most useful to us and ask why we can't choose our own. In addition to that... A new 'Active Group' badge that misses the point! More feedback on the services marketplace Do more followers improve engagement levels? Feedback on a new LinkedIn authors' posts Post of the week Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
