Richard van der Blom
LinkedIn Strategist | Algorithm Research-Backed | Helping Entrepreneurs Turn Visibility Into Revenue Without Living on the Platform | 350K+ Trained | Keynote Speaker
Richard van der Blom is a LinkedIn strategist who uses data-backed insights to help entrepreneurs increase visibility and revenue. His most distinctive move is using bold statements and contrarian claims to grab attention and challenge conventional LinkedIn wisdom.
15.3/wk
199 posts in 30d
422
avg per post
28.5%
comments / total
2.1%
reposts / total
problem-solution
Sun · 3 PM CET
Voice & tone
Richard's voice is authoritative and direct, often challenging the status quo with a touch of cynicism. He presents himself as a data-driven truth-teller, unafraid to call out LinkedIn's shortcomings or popular misconceptions. This is evident in phrases like, "Your connections don't matter anymore" and "5 ways LinkedIn silently kills your post."
Signature phrases
- “The data doesn't lie.”
- “Here's what our data exposed:”
- “Read that again.”
- “The new reality:”
- “In the Updated Report you'll find:”
Top 3 posts, dissected
Their highest-engagement posts, broken down line by line. Steal the structure.
5 ways LinkedIn silently kills your post. No warning. No explanation. Just... gone. Analyzed 600,000+ posts, found algorithm behaviors that LinkedIn will never publicly acknowledge. Some are brutal. Some are bizarre. All are real. 1. The 60-Minute Cliff Your post gets 50+ engagements in the first hour. Comments flowing. Likes stacking. You're thinking "this one's going viral." Then... nothing. Complete flatline at minute 61. We've tracked posts where 50%+ of ALL lifetime engagement came from that first hour — then the algorithm just... stopped distributing. No second wave. No extended reach. Dead. Why? Our theory: LinkedIn's "quality gate" triggers at the 60-minute mark. If engagement velocity doesn't hit a specific threshold relative to your follower count, the algorithm assumes the content peaked. Distribution stops. 2. The “See More” Shadow Ban This one's eerie. Post something critical about LinkedIn, gender issues, religion, or politics. Get decent engagement. Someone clicks "see more" to expand your post and... It vanishes. Not scrolls down. VANISHES. Gone from their feed entirely. We've replicated this dozens of times. The post still exists on your profile. But it's been quietly removed from active distribution. No notification. No policy violation. Just algorithmic erasure. 3. The Ambassador Penalty This one breaks my heart. You have 15-20 loyal supporters. Real people. Genuine fans of your content. They comment on everything you post — manually, thoughtfully, because they actually care. And LinkedIn punishes you for it. When the same accounts engage with your content repeatedly, the algorithm flags it as "artificial engagement patterns." Your reach gets throttled. Sometimes immediately. Your biggest fans are accidentally killing your distribution. 4. The Ghost Follower Drain You have 10,000 followers. But only 2,000 are "active" (logged in within 30 days). LinkedIn doesn't care about your total count. It calculates engagement rate against your 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦 follower base — including the ghosts. So your 200 likes on a post? LinkedIn sees that as 2% engagement on 10K followers. Mediocre. Distribution slows. Meanwhile, someone with 2,000 active followers gets 200 likes and LinkedIn sees 10% engagement. Exceptional. 5. The Hashtag Trap Using hashtags should expand your reach, right? Not anymore. Posts with 3+ hashtags now consistently underperform posts with 0-2 hashtags. But here's the strange part: it's not gradual. At exactly 3 hashtags, we see a 15-20% reach drop. At 5+, it's 35%+. LinkedIn's spam detection now treats hashtag stacking as a manipulation signal. The very feature designed to help discovery is now triggering suppression. The algorithm isn't evil. It's just optimizing for metrics we can't see. Understanding these hidden rules won't guarantee virality. But ignoring them guarantees suppression. Which of these surprises you the most? Drop a number (1-5) in the comments
The hook uses a numbered list and a bold statement to immediately grab attention. The phrase "silently kills your post" creates a sense of urgency and mystery.
The post is structured as a numbered list, each point detailing a specific algorithm behavior. Each point includes a brief explanation and supporting data.
- Intrigue: Teases hidden knowledge about the algorithm.
- Specificity: Cites data points like "600,000+ posts analyzed."
- Storytelling: Uses mini-narratives to illustrate each point.
There is no explicit call to action. The value is in the information itself, which drives comments as people share their experiences and opinions.
Use numbered lists to present complex information in an easily digestible format.
Your connections don't matter anymore. Harsh? Maybe. But the data doesn't lie. In 2024, 70% of your post's initial distribution went to your connections. In 2025, that dropped to 54%. In 2026? Just 10%. Read that again. 10%. Meanwhile, the Interest Graph went from 5% → 21% → 5…
The hook is a short, sharp, and provocative statement designed to challenge the reader's assumptions about LinkedIn networking. It's instantly attention-grabbing.
The post follows a problem-solution structure. It starts by stating the problem (connections don't matter), provides data to support the claim, and then offers a new solution (focus on your niche).
- Data-Driven: Backs up claims with specific percentages.
- Contrast: Highlights the shift from connections to interest graph.
- Repetition: Repeats "10%" for emphasis.
The post ends with a clear takeaway: "Stop optimising for who you know. Start optimising for what you stand for." This provides actionable advice.
Use data to support your claims and challenge conventional wisdom.
Update Algorithm Report dropping! 600,000 posts analyzed. 50+ pages of new insights and one uncomfortable truth.... You're commenting wrong. We just wrapped up our biggest algorithm update yet (April–September data). And the no.1 finding will piss off every "engagement pod" on…
The hook combines an announcement with a contrarian claim, creating anticipation and hinting at controversial findings. The phrase "one uncomfortable truth...." adds to the intrigue.
The post is structured as a teaser for an upcoming report, highlighting key findings in a numbered list format. Each point is designed to pique the reader's interest and encourage them to learn more.
- Teasing: Hints at valuable insights without giving everything away.
- Benefit-Driven: Focuses on the benefits of the report (e.g., "The 5 Comment Types That Actually Move Revenue").
- Intrigue: Uses phrases like "The Golden Window That Changes Everything".
The post implicitly encourages readers to anticipate the report's release, driving engagement and anticipation.
Use teasers and numbered lists to promote your content and highlight key takeaways.
What drives their engagement
Richard's posts drive comments by presenting controversial opinions and asking questions that provoke discussion. The high conversation index of 28.5% shows people engage with his ideas.
Reposts are driven by the shareable nature of his insights and the desire to signal agreement with his contrarian views. People want to share his data-backed observations.
High — His posts offer valuable, data-driven insights that people want to revisit and reference later.
Content pillars
Algorithm Updates
40%Sharing the latest findings from algorithm analysis, explaining how LinkedIn's algorithm works and how to adapt.
LinkedIn Myths
30%Debunking common misconceptions about LinkedIn strategy, often using data to disprove popular beliefs.
Content Strategy
20%Providing actionable tips and strategies for creating effective LinkedIn content that drives engagement and revenue.
Platform Critique
10%Offering critical commentary on LinkedIn's features, policies, and trends, often highlighting areas for improvement.
Hook patterns
Numbered List Intrigue
Number + Ways LinkedIn [negative outcome]
“5 ways LinkedIn silently kills your post.”
→ Curiosity is piqued by the promise of hidden knowledge and potential pitfalls.
Bold Statement of Irrelevance
Your [common LinkedIn activity] doesn't matter anymore.
“Your connections don't matter anymore.”
→ It challenges assumptions and forces the reader to reconsider their approach.
Algorithm Report Teaser
Update Algorithm Report dropping! [Data point] + [Uncomfortable truth]
“Update Algorithm Report dropping! 600,000 posts analyzed. 50+ pages of new insights and one uncomfortable truth....”
→ It creates anticipation and positions the creator as an authority.
Vulnerable Question
Hey LinkedIn, what's going on with my feed? Where's the [desired outcome]?
“Hey LinkedIn, what's going on with my feed? Where's the value?”
→ It invites empathy and taps into a shared frustration.
Contrarian Claim
[Popular LinkedIn activity] is [negative adjective].
“You're commenting wrong.”
→ It sparks debate and positions the creator as a thought leader.
Top-performing hooks
“5 ways LinkedIn silently kills your post.”
→ The post uses a numbered list format to present actionable tips about the LinkedIn algorithm, creating a sense of value and intrigue. The bold opening statement and the promise of revealing hidden rul
“Your connections don't matter anymore.”
→ The post challenges a common belief about LinkedIn networking, using data to support its argument. This contrarian approach, combined with a clear call to action, grabs attention and positions the aut
“Update Algorithm Report dropping! 600,000 posts analyzed. 50+ pages of new insights and one uncomfortable truth....”
→ The post uses a contrarian hook to grab attention and then provides a numbered list of actionable insights from a report, creating a sense of urgency and value. The clear call to action with a discoun
“Hey LinkedIn, what's going on with my feed? Where's the value?”
→ The post resonates because it voices a common frustration with the LinkedIn feed. The numbered list format makes the complaints easily digestible and relatable, prompting users to share their own expe
“I can’t, not today.”
→ The post resonates by voicing a common frustration about the platform's declining quality, using a direct and relatable tone. The call for change encourages engagement and shared opinions.
“You’ve been posting. But LinkedIn™ hasn’t been listening the same way. Its new AI — 360Brew — is now deciding who sees you, when, and why.”
→ The post immediately grabs attention by highlighting a significant change in the LinkedIn algorithm. It creates urgency and offers a solution (the guide) to a problem many users are facing, making the
“The Ultimate LinkedIn Format Cheat Sheet (Post-360Brew Edition)”
→ The post provides actionable advice on optimizing LinkedIn content for the current algorithm, making it highly valuable for creators. The use of clear formatting and a direct call to action further en
“I miss the LinkedIn feed from 5 years ago.”
→ The post resonates by tapping into a shared frustration with the current LinkedIn feed. It uses a clear before-and-after comparison and a relatable tone to spark conversation and agreement.
“Your 2024 LinkedIn tactics are killing your 2026 reach.”
→ The post presents a shift in the LinkedIn algorithm and offers actionable tips to adapt, creating a sense of urgency and providing valuable insights. The before/after comparison and clear advice make
“This Ultimate LinkedIn Checklist is based on our latest Algorithm Insights Report (released April 2025)....”
→ The post highlights a significant problem (decreased reach) and offers a solution (the report) which is very appealing to content creators. The use of statistics and the promise of future updates add
What works
- Bold statements grab attention: Hooks like "Your connections don't matter anymore" generate high engagement.
- Data-driven insights build credibility: Referencing "600,000+ posts analyzed" positions him as an authority.
- Numbered lists organize information: Posts structured as lists, like "5 ways LinkedIn silently kills your post," are easily digestible.
- Challenging conventional wisdom sparks debate: Contrarian claims like "You're commenting wrong" drive comments.
- Teasing upcoming content creates anticipation: Announcing an "Update Algorithm Report dropping!" generates excitement.
- Vulnerable questions invite empathy: Asking "Hey LinkedIn, what's going on with my feed?" resonates with users.
Steal this for your own LinkedIn
- Start with a bold, attention-grabbing statement that challenges conventional wisdom.
- Back up your claims with data and specific examples to build credibility.
- Use numbered lists to present complex information in a clear and organized manner.
- Ask questions that invite your audience to share their experiences and opinions.
- Tease upcoming content to generate anticipation and drive engagement.
- Analyze your own data to identify what's working and what's not.
Compare Richard with…
vs Lara Acosta
Lara Acosta vs Richard van der Blom: Emotion beats data on LinkedIn
vs Devin Reed
Devin Reed vs Richard van der Blom: Stories beat data on LinkedIn
vs Dickie Bush 🚢
Dickie Bush vs Richard van der Blom: Generosity beats contrarianism on LinkedIn
vs Chamath Palihapitiya
Chamath vs Richard: System Critique Beats Algorithm Hacks on LinkedIn
vs Leah Dillon
Leah Dillon vs Richard van der Blom: Niche depth beats algorithmic breadth
Get the full Richard van der Blom playbook
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Posting patterns
Richard posts frequently, averaging 15.3 posts per week, demonstrating a commitment to consistent content creation.
His posts perform best on Sundays around 2 PM UTC, suggesting his audience is active on weekends.
Very long posts (350+ words) perform best, averaging 548 engagements, indicating his audience appreciates in-depth analysis.
Engagement by day
Content mix
avg 374 engagements per post
avg 523 engagements per post
avg 394 engagements per post
avg 400 engagements per post
The format mix works because problem-solution posts address pain points, numbered lists offer actionable advice, and stories add a personal touch. This combination keeps the content engaging and informative, catering to different learning styles.
