Don’t Just Tell—Show Off: LinkedIn’s Most Underrated Spotlight

In the ever-evolving world of professional networking, LinkedIn continues to be the digital handshake that opens doors. But while most users obsess over their headline, headshot, and experience section, there’s one powerful feature that remains underutilized—the Featured section. According to a recent Forbes article by personal branding expert William Arruda, this overlooked space might just be the most valuable real estate on your profile.

The Featured section sits prominently between your About and Activity areas, making it one of the first things visitors see. It’s designed to showcase your best work, your proudest moments, and your most compelling content—all in a visually engaging format. Yet, many professionals either ignore it or use it sparingly, missing out on a golden opportunity to reinforce their brand.

Key highlights from the expert breakdown

1. Prime placement and visibility  
   - The Featured section appears before your Experience, meaning it gets seen early and often  
   - It occupies more screen space than your About section, especially on desktop, giving your content room to breathe  
   - Unlike About, which requires a click to expand, Featured displays content upfront, making it instantly accessible  

2. Designed for multimedia impact  
   - This section is built to house visuals—images, videos, PDFs, presentations, and external links  
   - A single video can communicate more than a thousand words, making it ideal for showcasing thought leadership, media appearances, or product demos  
   - You can rearrange items to highlight what’s most relevant at any given time, turning it into a dynamic brand carousel  

3. Strategic storytelling  
   - Use the Featured section to tell your professional story visually  
   - Highlight key achievements, press coverage, published articles, or portfolio pieces  
   - For entrepreneurs and creatives, it’s a space to show—not just tell—what you do and why it matters  

4. Mobile vs desktop experience  
   - On desktop, users can view up to three items without scrolling  
   - On mobile, only one item is visible at a time, so choose your lead feature wisely  
   - This makes it crucial to curate the section with your most compelling content first  

5. What to include for maximum impact  
   - Articles you’ve written or been featured in  
   - Videos of talks, interviews, or product walkthroughs  
   - Infographics or case studies that demonstrate results  
   - Links to personal websites, portfolios, or media coverage  
   - PDFs of resumes, pitch decks, or client testimonials  

Why this matters now

In a virtual-first professional world, your LinkedIn profile often serves as your first impression. The Featured section allows you to control that impression with curated content that reflects your expertise, personality, and value. It’s not just about looking good—it’s about being memorable.

Whether you’re job hunting, building a personal brand, or growing a business, this section can be your digital billboard. And unlike static profile elements, it evolves with you. You can update it as your career progresses, ensuring your profile stays fresh and relevant.

Looking ahead

As LinkedIn continues to prioritize content and creator tools, the Featured section is likely to become even more central to how professionals present themselves. Those who embrace it now will be ahead of the curve, turning passive profiles into active portfolios.

So if you haven’t explored your Featured section yet, it’s time to scroll down, click edit, and start showcasing what makes you stand out. Your next opportunity might just be one scroll away.

Sources: Forbes, OneAndOnly Design, HubSpot Blog