What we’ve heard from these sources

The 3-Stage System

When you hit "post" on LinkedIn, your content goes through a 3-stage process.

Here’s how LinkedIn influencer Aryan Shah explains it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4ieBjo-5eU

Stage 1: Friends (Initial Stage)

• Who sees it: Your first-degree connections who commonly engage with your content
• Reach: Only about 20% of your connections actually see your content
• What happens: LinkedIn tests your post with your most engaged followers first
• Problem: Most people get stuck here and never reach their ideal customers

Stage 2: Wider Network (Second Stage)

• Who sees it: Second-degree connections (friends of friends)
• How it works: When your friend likes/comments, it might show to their network
• Audience: People who follow you but aren't connected, or occasionally engage
• Requirement: Your post must perform "significantly well" in Stage 1

Stage 3: Viral (Final Stage)

• Who sees it: People who've never seen you before (third+ degree connections)
• Result: Massive growth potential - reaches areas of LinkedIn you've never accessed
• Requirement: Must meet specific metrics after passing Stage 2
• Impact: Majority of engagement comes from strangers