Mistakes to avoid when commenting on LinkedIn posts

LinkedIn is a jungle. With millions of posts every day, your comments are your weapon to stand out or get lost in the crowd.

But here’s the truth: 90% of comments make no impact. Why? Because most professionals fall into the same traps.

In this article, I’ll show you:

➔ Why generic comments kill your credibility (and what to do instead).

➔ The 10 most common mistakes you absolutely must avoid.

➔ How to turn every comment into a networking opportunity.

1. The 10 mistakes to avoid (and how to fix them)

Mistake #1: Not adding value

Generic comments like “Very interesting” bring nothing.

Solution: Share an experience, ask a question, or offer a unique perspective.

Example:

“I’ve tried this method with my team. Do you have any tips for adapting it to an international context?”

Additional resource: The article “The Powerful LinkedIn Commenting Strategy That Wins You More Followers” discusses the importance of the most relevant comment under a LinkedIn post

Mistake #2: Writing comments that are too long or too short

Too short = no substance. Too long = you lose your audience.

Solution: Find a balance. 2 to 4 well-targeted sentences is ideal.

Example:

“Your strategy is inspiring. We’ve seen similar results using [tool]. Have you tested it in [specific context]?”

Additional resource: The article “How the LinkedIn Algorithm Works [Updated for 2025] | Sprout Social” discusses the importance of conciseness and relevance in LinkedIn interactions.

Mistake #3: Ignoring the context of the post

Commenting without understanding the post is the best way to look off-topic. (Yes, many people do this 😅)

Solution: Read the post and comments carefully before responding.

Example:

If the post is about leadership, don’t veer into productivity tools.

Mistake #4: Using vague terms or jargon

Vague or overly technical phrases discourage readers.

Solution: Be clear and precise. Avoid jargon unless you’re sure your audience understands it.

Example:

Instead of “This use case has an impressive ROI,” say:

“This strategy increased our ROI by 30% by optimizing workflows.”

Mistake #5: Promoting your services too aggressively

LinkedIn isn’t a sales platform. Overly commercial comments push people away.

Solution: Mention your work only when relevant, and subtly.

Example:

Instead of “Our tool solves this,” say:

“Tools like [sector example] can help. We’ve seen results with similar approaches.”

Mistake #6: Not responding to other comments

Ignoring replies is missing an opportunity to nurture the conversation.

Solution: Be responsive. Answer questions and deepen the discussion.

Example:

“Thanks for your question! Here’s how we approached it…”

Additional resource: The article “3 mistakes to absolutely avoid on your LinkedIn posts” emphasizes the importance of responding to comments to maintain engagement.

Mistake #7: Being too negative or confrontational

Aggressive debates harm your professional image.

Solution: Express disagreement respectfully. Focus on ideas, not personal criticism.

Example:

Instead of “That won’t work,” say:

“Have you considered [alternative]? It could solve [specific challenge].”

Mistake #8: Forgetting to proofread your comment

Typos and grammar mistakes give an unprofessional impression.

Solution: Always proofread your comment before posting. Use tools like Grammarly if needed.

Example:

Fix errors like “I agree with your point” to “I agree with your point.”

Mistake #9: Commenting too often on the same post

Posting multiple comments on the same post can come across as spam.

Solution: Limit the number of comments. Consolidate your ideas into a single thoughtful response.

Example:

Instead of posting 3 separate comments, combine your ideas:

“In addition to the previous points, I’d add [X] and [Y].”

Mistake #10: Ignoring privacy rules

Never disclose confidential or sensitive information in your comments.

Solution: Always respect confidentiality. If referring to past projects, anonymize the details.

Example:

Instead of saying “Client X had issues with Y,” say:

“Some teams find Y difficult. Here’s how we helped them.”

2. How to turn your comments into connections

Every comment is a networking opportunity. Here’s how to make the most of it:

1️⃣ Respond to replies: If someone engages with your comment, continue the conversation.

2️⃣ Highlight the author: Tag them if your comment adds value to their post.

3️⃣ Follow up: If the discussion is interesting, send a connection request with a personalized message.

Example of follow-up message:

“Hi [Name], I really enjoyed our discussion on [topic]. Let’s stay connected!”

3. The ultimate checklist for commenting on LinkedIn

Before hitting “Post,” ask yourself:

• Does it add value?
• Is it specific to the post?
• Is it clear and concise?
• Does it encourage conversation?

Conclusion: Stop commenting into the void 😅

LinkedIn isn’t about shouting louder. It’s about speaking smarter.

By avoiding these 10 mistakes and following these tips, you’ll:

✅ Gain credibility.

✅ Spark enriching conversations.

✅ Turn your comments into connections and your connections into opportunities.

Choose several posts. Apply these strategies. And watch your engagement soar.

To go further:

If you want to dive deeper into your LinkedIn comment strategy, here are some resources that might interest you:

🔹 Commenting on LinkedIn posts from content creators: an effective strategy to boost your visibility and attract leads

🔹 6 Reasons to comment on LinkedIn posts to attract prospects

🔹 10 approaches for LinkedIn comments that turn engagement into leads

Implement these techniques and watch how your comments can turn into a great prospect-generating machine 🙂