In a recent Reddit post asking, “What’s something almost all are clearly faking but no one will admit it?” one of the top answers was “LinkedIn.”
The responses clearly resonated with many. Some creative replies parodying the professional networking platform included:
“I’m excited to announce that I’ve been recognized as King of the Known Universe. In this new role, I’ll be leveraging my incredible awesomeness and intolerance of all things mediocre to be the best at everything in the world ever.”
“I just watched a junkie OD on the subway. This is what it taught me about enterprise cloud storage.”
“My mother fell down the stairs and died. Here’s what it taught me about business.”
Others were more direct and less tongue-in-cheek:
“I hate it with the fire of a thousand songs.”
“LinkedIn is the world’s biggest circle jerk. Eventually, it will just lean into it and become a porn site. No one, ever, in history was excited to attend the XYZ conference.”
“LinkedIn is the worst. I’m in an industry and role where I should be constantly posting to it, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. It’s such an insufferable corporate circle jerk, with people trying to constantly one-up each other with increasingly ‘provocative’ pieces of ‘thought leadership.’”
The complaint: that LinkedIn has devolved from a digital Rolodex into a relentless, cringey parade of promotions and humble brags.
What is ‘LinkedIn envy?’
“LinkedIn envy” is that sinking feeling while scrolling your feed that you haven’t accomplished professionally what you should have by now, and that everybody else is doing better. Some workplace experts say this content could be quietly crushing our self-confidence.
“Professional comparisons cut deeper because they tap into core values: accountability, work ethic, creativity—the things people pride themselves on.” — Alex Lovell, director of research, O.C. Tanner
Alex Lovell of O.C. Tanner notes that Gen Z and millennial workers, in particular, treat LinkedIn like a “public leaderboard for professional success,” leading to self-judgment rather than celebrating others’ achievements.
Margaret Buj, principal recruiter at Mixmax and a LinkedIn “Top Voice,” describes the site as a “curated feed of professional ‘success theater.’” She suggests that endless scrolling through career wins can trigger self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and burnout, especially among younger workers.
Catherine Fisher, LinkedIn’s in-house career expert, sees a different dynamic. She notes a more intentional approach among younger users, using LinkedIn to follow inspiring work, stay current on skills, and expand their networks.
Worse than Facebook?
Unlike family vacation posts on Facebook or fashion shots on Instagram, LinkedIn hits hard at one’s livelihood. “Professional comparisons cut deeper because they tap into core values,” says Lovell. Promotion announcements can make one question their professional worth.
“We’ve created a workplace culture where vulnerability is still treated like a weakness.” — Steve Taplin, CEO, Sonatafy Technology
Steve Taplin, CEO of Sonatafy Technology, believes LinkedIn exposes a deeper workplace culture problem where vulnerability is seen as weakness.
The comparison trap worsens because the most popular posts feature big success stories. People compare themselves against hundreds of curated professional highlights.
Fisher notes a countertrend: Gen Zers increasingly lead conversations on LinkedIn, often opening up on authentic topics. Examples include creator and “Top Voice” Megan Lieu and creator and author Gigi Robinson.
Positives vs. negatives
LinkedIn users often point to the platform’s benefits. Storytelling coach Amanda Hirsch asks if stories about professional wins could inspire and motivate others.
Career coach Phoebe Galvin argues that comparison is more about human instinct than social platforms, noting, “LinkedIn happens to be where we compare our careers because it literally exists to be a professional portfolio.”
Fisher emphasizes that the impact depends on individual approach. She recommends using the “X” button to hide content that triggers negativity and following individuals who provide useful advice and inspiration.
Comparing is despairing
The issue might not be a social platform but creating workplaces where people feel secure in their contributions. Buj states, “Someone else’s highlight reel doesn’t invalidate your progress. Careers aren’t a race—they’re a personal path.”
LinkedIn’s Fisher suggests your feed should leave you feeling informed, connected, and even excited about what’s next, not behind. A few tweaks can change LinkedIn’s impact on your life.
Lovell concludes: “We can create cultures where people feel seen, valued, and secure in what they bring to the table. When that happens, employees are far less likely to measure their worth against someone else’s highlight reel.”