We all know the feeling: you post something, put some real thought into it, and then… nothing. The minutes tick by. The like counter stays at zero.
Why is that first like always so damn hard to get? Turns out, it’s not just bad luck - it’s psychology… and algorithms.
Here’s what’s going on:
Conformity: Following the Herd
Humans are wired to go with the crowd - even when it goes against our personal taste. If most people in your feed like a dumb post, chances are you’ll feel a strong urge to like it too - or at least pause and read it.
Respect my Authority
We tend to trust and follow people with expertise, credibility, or power. That’s why when a VP or director in your industry posts, you’re automatically inclined to like it. This is also why people go wild for over-the-top bios and seemingly legendary titles - they signal authority and trigger automatic engagement.
Social Proof
People are drawn to posts that already have engagement. Likes beget likes. Comments spark comments. Conversely, lonely posts with zero interaction get ignored. “Thanks for the like, Mom,” anyone?Popular posts thrive in a positive feedback loop; lonely posts struggle in a negative one.
The Algorithm: Exposure for Engagement
LinkedIn any or any of the SoME giants won’t just show your content to everyone. It wants signals: likes, comments, posts, carousels, webinars - both visible and hidden. Without that first like, the algorithm barely exposes your post. Your content’s reach is basically hostage to social interaction.
How to Actually Get That First Like
Take a breath, sometimes it takes time
Create high-quality content that actually matters
Connect with relevant people in your industry
Stay consistent. Every like, comment, and share counts
Consider using paid promotion if you want to break through the 2025 feed
Write like you don’t expect likes. The only thing that cuts through all the noise is authenticity.