You've probably seen them on LinkedIn profiles, those little "+1" badges next to skills like "Project Management" or "Content Marketing." Maybe you've clicked to endorse someone, or maybe you've received a notification that someone endorsed you for a skill you barely remember listing.
The question is: do LinkedIn endorsements actually matter?
The short answer: yes, but not for the reasons most people think.
LinkedIn endorsements won't land you a job by themselves, but they do three things that matter in 2026: they increase your profile visibility in search results, they add credibility to your claimed skills (especially when they come from the right people), and they signal to recruiters and potential clients that others vouch for your expertise.
Profiles with at least 5 endorsed skills receive up to 17x more profile views than those with no endorsements. That's not a vanity metric, that's discovery.
This guide will show you what LinkedIn endorsements are, why they matter in 2026, how to get endorsements on LinkedIn without being annoying, and how to use them strategically to build credibility.
What Are LinkedIn Endorsements?
LinkedIn endorsements are one-click skill validations from your 1st-degree connections. When someone endorses you, they're confirming that you have the skill you claim to have.
Here's how it works:
- You add skills to your LinkedIn profile (you can list up to 50)
- Your connections can endorse any of those skills with a single click
- The more endorsements a skill receives, the higher it ranks in your Skills section
- Your top 3 most-endorsed skills appear prominently on your profile
Unlike recommendations (which are detailed written testimonials), LinkedIn endorsements require zero effort. There's no writing involved, just a click. This makes them easy to give, but it also means they're less meaningful than a full recommendation.
That said, LinkedIn endorsements still carry weight, especially when they come from people who actually know your work.
LinkedIn Endorsements vs. Recommendations: What's the Difference?
People often confuse LinkedIn endorsements with recommendations. Here's the breakdown:
LinkedIn Endorsements:
- One-click skill validation
- Quick and effortless
- Confirm specific skills (e.g., "SEO," "Sales," "JavaScript")
- Can come from anyone in your network
- Displayed as a count under each skill
Recommendations:
- Written testimonials (like a reference letter)
- Require time and effort to write
- Describe your overall work experience and character
- Usually come from former colleagues, managers, or clients
- Displayed as full text in a dedicated section
Both matter. Endorsements are easier to collect and help with search visibility. Recommendations are harder to get but carry more weight when someone is evaluating whether to hire you or work with you.
If you're wondering how to get endorsements on LinkedIn, the answer is simpler than getting recommendations. But you still need to be strategic about it.
Do LinkedIn Endorsements Actually Matter in 2026?
Here's the truth: LinkedIn endorsements matter more for visibility than credibility.
1. They Increase Profile Visibility in Search
When recruiters search for candidates with specific skills, LinkedIn's algorithm prioritizes profiles with endorsed skills. According to LinkedIn's data, profiles with 5+ endorsed skills receive up to 17x more profile views than those with none.
Think of LinkedIn endorsements like SEO for your profile. The more endorsements you have for "Product Management" or "Data Analysis," the more likely you are to show up when someone searches for those skills.
2. They Add Social Proof (If They Come from the Right People)
Not all LinkedIn endorsements are equal. An endorsement from a former manager or a client you've worked with carries more weight than one from a high school friend who has no idea what you actually do.
LinkedIn's algorithm recognizes this. For your top 3 skills, LinkedIn highlights endorsements from:
- People you've worked with directly
- People who are highly endorsed for the same skill
This means quality matters more than quantity.
3. They Signal Active Engagement
A profile with 99+ endorsements signals that you're actively engaged on LinkedIn and that people in your network recognize your expertise. It's a trust signal, even if it's not as strong as a written recommendation.
But here's the controversial truth: LinkedIn endorsements can also be meaningless if they're random. If someone endorses you for "Java" when you're a marketing professional, it doesn't help, and it can actually dilute your profile.
How to Get Endorsements on LinkedIn (Without Being Annoying)
1. Optimize Your Skills Section First
You can't get endorsements for skills that aren't listed on your profile. Start by adding up to 50 relevant skills, but be strategic about which ones you pin to the top.
Your top 3 skills are visible without clicking "Show All," so they get the most endorsement action. Pin the skills you want to be known for in 2026, not the ones you used at an entry-level job 10 years ago.
Example:
- ✅ Good top 3: "B2B SaaS Sales," "Enterprise Partnerships," "Revenue Growth"
- ❌ Bad top 3: "Microsoft Excel," "Teamwork," "PowerPoint"
2. Endorse Others First (Reciprocity Works)
The fastest way to get LinkedIn endorsements is to give them. When you endorse someone, they get a notification. Many people will reciprocate by endorsing you back.
Pro tip: Endorse people immediately after a meeting, project, or positive interaction. The timing matters. If you endorse someone at 2 AM on a Saturday, the notification might get buried.
3. Ask Directly (But Make It Specific)
Don't send a mass message asking for endorsements. Instead, ask specific people after you've worked together.
Example message: "Hey [Name], thanks again for the collaboration on [Project]. If you feel comfortable doing so, I'd really appreciate an endorsement for [Specific Skill] on LinkedIn. Happy to return the favor!"
Notice the key elements:
- You reference a specific project (context)
- You ask for a specific skill (not "endorse me for everything")
- You offer to reciprocate
4. Turn Recommendations Into Endorsements
If someone writes you a recommendation, they'll often be willing to endorse your skills too. After receiving a recommendation, follow up with: "Thank you so much for the recommendation! Would you also mind endorsing my skills in [Skill 1] and [Skill 2]?"
5. Stay Active on LinkedIn
The more you post, comment, and engage on LinkedIn, the more visible you are to your network. When people see your content, they're reminded of your expertise, and they're more likely to endorse your skills.
LinkedIn endorsements follow engagement. If you're invisible, people forget you exist.
6. Remove Irrelevant Skills
If people are endorsing you for skills you don't want to be known for, hide or remove those skills. Every skill on your profile should align with your current career goals.
For example, if you're a VP of Marketing, you don't need "Customer Service" or "Data Entry" from 10 years ago cluttering your profile.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Asking everyone to endorse everything. This feels spammy and devalues your profile. Be selective.
Listing too many generic skills. "Hard worker" and "team player" aren't searchable skills. Focus on specific, industry-relevant competencies.
Ignoring who endorsed you. If random connections endorse you for skills they've never seen you use, it weakens your credibility. Hide those endorsements.
Not pinning your top skills. If your most-endorsed skills aren't the ones you want to be known for, reorder them.
How to Use LinkedIn Endorsements Strategically
Align your skills with your content. If you're posting about "Lead Generation," make sure "Lead Generation" is one of your top 3 skills. This creates a relevance loop in LinkedIn's algorithm.
Audit your skills quarterly. Your goals change. Your skills section should too. Remove outdated skills and add new ones based on where you want your career to go.
Focus on high-value keywords. Think about what recruiters or clients search for. "Enterprise SaaS Sales" is more specific (and valuable) than "Sales."
Request endorsements after wins. Just closed a deal? Launched a successful campaign? That's the perfect time to ask for an endorsement while the work is fresh in someone's mind.
Turn LinkedIn Endorsements Into Real Visibility With FinalLayer
You've optimized your skills, you've collected endorsements, and your profile looks great. Now you need to stay visible so people actually see it.
FinalLayer keeps you top-of-mind with consistent, on-brand posts written in your voice, so the connections endorsing your skills actually remember who you are when they need your expertise.
prompt and optimize for better results.
Final Thoughts
LinkedIn endorsements won't make or break your career, but ignoring them in 2026 means leaving easy visibility on the table. The real mistake isn't having too few endorsements, it's treating them like participation trophies instead of strategic signals.
The professionals who win with LinkedIn endorsements understand something simple: they're a door opener, not a closer. They get you discovered. What happens after someone lands on your profile? That's on you.
So take 20 minutes today to clean up your Skills section, endorse a few colleagues who've actually seen your work, and pin the three skills that match where you're headed, not where you've been. That small effort compounds every time someone searches for what you do.