How to become a LinkedIn Top Voice in 2026

By being invited. LinkedIn's help page says Top Voices is an invite-only program: its team reviews what members post to find new voices, and gives them a blue badge. You can also nominate yourself through LinkedIn's form, which it reviews every quarter. Nothing guarantees a badge.

Can you apply to be a LinkedIn Top Voice?

You can nominate yourself, or someone else, with the form linked from LinkedIn's help page. LinkedIn says it reviews nominations quarterly and looks for consistent, authentic and trusted knowledge sharing. A nomination is a request, not an application with a promised answer.

How long does a LinkedIn Top Voice badge last?

At least six months. LinkedIn's help page says badges are assessed and renewed twice a year, and kept while the member still meets the program's requirements. LinkedIn removes the status from anyone who does not keep to its Professional Community Policies.

LinkedIn retired it on 8 October 2024. The gold badge went automatically to top contributors to collaborative articles, and LinkedIn's help page says that made quality hard to keep up. Existing gold badges expired within 60 days. The blue Top Voice badge, chosen by LinkedIn's editors, did not change.

So advice to answer collaborative articles for a Top Voice badge is out of date. LinkedIn still invites people to contribute to them, to be seen as an expert and reach people outside their network, but they no longer earn a badge.

Regular posts that teach, not sell. LinkedIn's help page asks would-be Top Voices to post consistently, share real knowledge such as industry insight and news analysis, vary their formats, and keep talking with people in the comments. It also says members who mainly promote paid services are not considered.

Can a founder become a LinkedIn Top Voice?

Yes, by writing about the industry more than the product. LinkedIn's help page rules out members who primarily or exclusively promote paid services. A founder who explains the market, the customers' problems and the lessons of building, and mentions the product now and then, fits what it describes.

Do you need a lot of followers to be a Top Voice?

LinkedIn's help page names no follower number. Its factors are presence, quality, expertise and trust, with prominence as one route for people who already have outsized influence. It also points out that any member can reach a wide audience with posts, badge or not.

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