Who Has the Most Followers on LinkedIn? Top 25 Influencers

LinkedIn has grown from a job-hunting platform to a content powerhouse. Here are the most followed people on LinkedIn in 2026 and what you can learn from their success.

Build your own following: Use our LinkedIn Growth Strategy Generator to create a personalized growth plan.

Top 25 Most Followed People on LinkedIn (2026)

Follower counts as of January 2026. Numbers change daily.

What Makes These Profiles Successful?

1. Consistent Value Delivery

Top LinkedIn influencers don't just post—they educate, inspire, and provide actionable insights. Bill Gates shares book recommendations and global health updates. Simon Sinek shares leadership wisdom. Each post delivers specific value.

2. Authentic Personal Brand

The most followed people have clear, recognizable voices:

• Gary Vaynerchuk: Raw, direct, motivational
• Adam Grant: Research-backed, thoughtful
• Richard Branson: Adventurous, optimistic
• Arianna Huffington: Wellness-focused, inspiring

3. Regular Posting Schedule

Top influencers post consistently:

• Daily: Gary Vaynerchuk, Justin Welsh
• 3-5x weekly: Bill Gates, Simon Sinek
• Weekly: Most C-suite executives

Learn the best times to post on LinkedIn for maximum reach.

4. Engagement With Audience

Even with millions of followers, top influencers:

• Reply to comments
• Ask questions in posts
• Acknowledge their community
• Share follower success stories

5. Multimedia Content

The most successful profiles use varied content:

• Long-form articles
• Short text posts
• Native videos
• Carousels and documents
• Polls and questions

Rising LinkedIn Stars to Watch

Beyond the established names, these creators are growing rapidly:

Fastest Growing in 2026

Lessons From LinkedIn's Top Accounts

Content Strategies That Work

1. Share Personal Stories The most engaged posts aren't company announcements—they're personal experiences:

• Failures and lessons learned
• Career pivots and decisions
• Behind-the-scenes moments
• Vulnerable admissions

2. Provide Actionable Insights Posts that do well:

• "Here's exactly how I did X"
• Step-by-step breakdowns
• Specific numbers and results
• Templates and frameworks

3. Take Strong Positions Top influencers aren't afraid to:

• Challenge conventional wisdom
• Share unpopular opinions
• Make predictions
• Call out industry problems

Profile Optimization

How to Grow Your LinkedIn Following

Strategy 1: Consistent Content

• Post 3-5 times per week minimum
• Same time slots for consistency
• Mix content types (text, video, documents)
• Use our LinkedIn Content Ideas Generator

Strategy 2: Engagement First

• Spend 30 minutes engaging before posting
• Comment thoughtfully on others' posts
• Build genuine relationships
• Don't just broadcast—participate

Strategy 3: Network Strategically

• Connect with people in your niche
• Build relationships with other creators
• Collaborate on content
• Support others' content genuinely

Strategy 4: Optimize for Discovery

• Use 3-5 relevant hashtags
• Include keywords naturally
• Encourage saves and shares
• Create content worth bookmarking

See the best LinkedIn hashtags for your industry.

LinkedIn Follower Milestones

Understanding LinkedIn's algorithm changes at different follower counts:

0-500 Followers

• Focus on profile optimization
• Connect with your existing network
• Post consistently to build momentum
• Engage heavily with others

500-5,000 Followers

• Content reaches beyond connections
• Comments from strangers appear
• Engagement rates matter more
• Niche authority developing

5,000-50,000 Followers

• Posts can go viral
• Speaking/podcast invitations
• Brand collaboration opportunities
• Industry recognition

50,000+ Followers

• Significant influence in niche
• Media attention possible
• Partnership opportunities
• Content has major reach

Follower Count vs. Engagement

Having millions of followers isn't everything. Engagement rate matters more:

A highly engaged 10K audience often delivers more value than a passive 100K following.

Tools for LinkedIn Growth

Free Resources

• LinkedIn Growth Strategy Generator
• LinkedIn Content Ideas Generator
• LinkedIn Headline Generator
• LinkedIn Caption Generator

Follow the Top Creators

• Bill Gates on LinkedIn - #1 most followed
• Richard Branson on LinkedIn - Top 3 influencer
• LinkedIn Top Voices Program - Official recognition program

Related Guides

• How to Build Your Network on LinkedIn
• How Often to Post on LinkedIn
• How to Grow LinkedIn Followers

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the most followed person on LinkedIn?

Bill Gates is the most followed person on LinkedIn with over 36 million followers as of 2026. He's held this position for several years, sharing insights on technology, books, climate change, and global health.

How many followers is considered a lot on LinkedIn?

On LinkedIn, 10,000+ followers is considered significant, 50,000+ makes you a notable influencer, and 100,000+ puts you in the top tier. However, engagement rate and audience quality matter more than raw numbers.

Can you see someone's follower count on LinkedIn?

Yes. Go to any profile and look below their headline. You'll see their connection count (up to "500+") and follower count. For users with fewer than 500 followers, you may only see the connection number.

How do LinkedIn influencers make money?

Top LinkedIn influencers monetize through: consulting and coaching, speaking engagements, courses and digital products, brand partnerships, book deals, and driving traffic to their businesses.

How fast can you grow on LinkedIn?

With consistent high-quality content, you can realistically gain 1,000-5,000 followers per month. Viral posts can add 10,000+ in days. Top creators often grow 100K+ per year with daily posting and engagement.

Start Growing Your LinkedIn Presence

Ready to build your following? Use our LinkedIn Growth Strategy Generator to create your personalized growth plan, or try SocialRails to schedule and optimize your LinkedIn content.