I’ve been on LinkedIn for 21 years. That’s not a typo.
Two decades. I was there for the beginning, part of the original group invited to blog, then to use video. I beta-tested every new feature they rolled out. People ask me how I became a “social media star.” The answer is the hard way: by building authority through experience and trust, one connection at a time, for over 20 years. In my first year, LinkedIn published my pieces on work, and they went viral to the tune of 100s of thousands of people.
But in 2024, as I marked my 20th anniversary on the platform, I noticed a disturbing trend. More and more trusted voices, people with real influence and engaged audiences, were quietly leaving. They were building their communities elsewhere. The platform that was once a hub for professional connections had become a battlefield of algorithms, bots, and noise. The question I kept hearing was, “How do I increase my visibility on LinkedIn?” And I had to ask myself: Is that what this is all for? Chasing visibility in a system designed to distract?
Let’s be clear: LinkedIn is a fantastic digital phone book.
It’s like the "yellow pages" for finding people. But as a place to do the real work? It’s failing. The system is engineered for addiction, not advancement. Its algorithms thrive on outrage and amplify division, actively working against the trust it takes years to build. This isn’t just my opinion; the data shows a crisis of connection across all of Big Social.
A 2025 Pew Research study confirms that while user numbers may look stable, daily engagement is in freefall because the experience feels hollow and manipulative. Organic reach has cratered to a dismal 4-5%, forcing you to pay to reach the audience you painstakingly built.
This demonstrates quality versus quantity. It's not about how many are registered members, it's about how much they are engaging.
|
Platform
|
2021 Usage
|
2025 Usage
|
Growth
or Decline
|
Reason for Shift
|
|
TikTok
|
21%
|
37%
|
+76%
|
Content-first algorithm
|
|
Reddit
|
18%
|
26%
|
+44%
|
Community-moderated trust
|
|
Facebook
|
~70%
|
71%
|
Stagnant
|
Algorithmic fatigue
|
|
X (Twitter)
|
~23%
|
21%
|
Decline
|
Trust & safety erosion
|
Source: Pew Research Center, 2025
This is why I built Pink Petro, then ALLY, and now, why I am hyper-focused on THE BEE SUITE.
Because the real work, the deep collaboration, and the authentic connection are happening off-LinkedIn. The real visibility isn’t about gaming an algorithm; it’s about showing up in the communities that matter to you and your work. It’s about building your HIVE.
This new reality demands a new operating system.
It requires a mindset shift from chasing algorithmic approval to cultivating genuine trust. It requires a network built on shared purpose, not shallow connections. And it requires the tools to build and monetize your authority on your own terms.
This is the entire philosophy behind The Bee Suite.. It’s the space I've created to help you navigate this new reality. I'll show you how to:
- Awaken: Understand the new realities of work and the future that’s already here.
- Ask: Define and develop your unique offer, the value that only you can provide.
- Automate: Create hyper-scaling systems, leveraging AI to run your business efficiently.
- Amplify: Pollinate your ideas and create true authority in a high-trust HIVE.
After two decades as a LinkedIn power user, my conclusion is simple: the future isn’t about being visible to everyone; it’s about being invaluable to the right people. The system is broken. It’s time to stop trying to fix it and start building your own.
