Current position: LinkedIn® retired the gold Community Top Voice badge on 8 October 2024. It can no longer be earned by contributing to Collaborative Articles. The blue LinkedIn® Top Voice badge still exists, but it belongs to a separate, invitation-only programme led by LinkedIn®’s editorial team.
What was retired?
The retired gold badge was awarded automatically to selected contributors to LinkedIn® Collaborative Articles. Older advice about completing weekly contributions, collecting reactions or maintaining a badge for a particular skill refers to that discontinued programme.
This URL previously contained a step-by-step guide to earning that badge. It has been retained because people still search for the old process, but those steps are no longer a route to a badge.
What still exists?
The blue LinkedIn® Top Voice badge recognises people selected for LinkedIn®’s editorial Top Voices programme. LinkedIn® describes it as invitation-only. Badges are assessed and renewed periodically, and there is no public checklist that guarantees selection.
Do Collaborative Articles still exist?
Yes. LinkedIn® says existing Collaborative Articles can still be explored and eligible members may still contribute to them. However, LinkedIn® is no longer developing new Collaborative Articles, and contributions do not earn the retired Community Top Voice badge.
Can you apply for the blue badge?
There is no normal application or purchase route. The programme is editorially selected. Anyone claiming to guarantee a blue Top Voice badge should therefore be treated with caution.
What should you work on instead?
- Develop genuine expertise and a clear area of contribution.
- Publish original, useful work supported by evidence and experience.
- Participate thoughtfully in relevant professional conversations.
- Build a consistent body of work rather than chasing a platform badge.
- Follow LinkedIn®’s Professional Community Policies.
A badge may be valuable recognition, but it should be a consequence rather than the strategy. The more durable objective is to build a professional reputation that remains credible with or without a platform label.
For the broader route, read How to Become a Thought Leader on LinkedIn®. To understand the remaining contribution system, see Can You Still Contribute to LinkedIn® Collaborative Articles?
