In brief
  • The bell icon on a profile lets you follow specific people’s posts without connecting
  • You can choose between no notifications, "Top posts" or "All posts"
  • Even on "All posts" you will typically see fewer than half of the person’s actual posts
  • Use it strategically on 10-20 key people, not on your entire network

When you visit the profile of someone you are connected with, you can switch on the LinkedIn bell. It is a small, often overlooked feature tucked away right next to the "Message" button on the profile, but it can make a real difference to how effectively you work with social selling.

What does the bell actually do?

Click the bell and you get three options: no notifications, "Top posts" or "All posts" from that person. It sounds simple, but in practice it means you can build your own short list of key people whose content you never miss, without it drowning in the rest of your feed.

Be aware that even with "All posts" switched on, LinkedIn rarely notifies you of more than 50% of the person’s actual posts. The algorithm still filters. So the bell is not a guarantee, but it is a strong signal you can layer on top of your existing LinkedIn routine.

Why it is worth using on key people

  • You follow profiles that share content of real value to you or your customers
  • You can comment early, when visibility and relationship building are at their peak
  • You build presence with exactly the people you want to stay top of mind with

That makes the bell useful in several different situations: job seekers who want to keep an eye on decision-makers at companies they would like to work for. Salespeople who want to follow their ideal customers’ profiles closely. And professionals building thought leadership who want to be first to engage in the right conversation.

“The bell is not a solution on its own, but used well it is a powerful signal tool.”

How to get started

Start with a short list: 10-20 people you genuinely want to follow closely, whether ideal customers, partners or leading voices in your industry. Set the bell to "All posts" for them, and commit to leaving a comment with substance every time one of their posts pops up. It is a small habit that, over time, builds visible and relevant presence, without you having to spend hours every day scrolling through an algorithm-driven feed.

Read about Social Selling on LinkedIn