Hey listeners, Neal here from The Asylum.

Let me ask you this—have you ever been drawn into a seemingly prestigious LinkedIn community, only to find it's nothing more than a smoke-and-mirrors show?

On this episode, we pull back the curtain on LinkedIn engagement pods.

These elusive, often misunderstood groups promise skyrocketing engagement rates and viral success, but is it all just a facade?

By the end of this episode, you'll know what these pods are, how they operate, and why joining one might be the worst decision for your LinkedIn strategy.

We’re diving deep with Katie McManus, a business strategist, LinkedIn Company Pages expert Michelle J Raymond, Espresso founder John Espirian, Fred Copestake, Tracy Bedwell, Philip Charter, and Paul Smart joining us too.

We'll discuss why engagement pods give off an illusion of success and what they'll actually do for your engagement.

More importantly, you'll gain invaluable insights into recognising these pods and understanding why they're tolerated on LinkedIn.

If you're serious about building genuine relationships and authentic engagement on LinkedIn, this episode is a must listen.

You'll gain the knowledge to spot fake engagement tactics, understand the reasoning behind LinkedIn's tolerance for these pods, and learn simple yet effective ways to foster real, meaningful interactions.

By integrating these insights into your LinkedIn strategy, you'll not only dodge the pitfalls of artificial engagement but also stand out with authenticity and integrity in a world of shortcuts and quick fixes.

Follow Daniel Hall - pod insider with Spot-a-Pod: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielbhall

00:00:00 - Introduction

Neal introduces the concept of LinkedIn engagement pods and why they’re misleading.

00:00:17 - Welcome and Guest Introduction

Katie McManus welcomes the audience and sets the stage for a candid discussion about LinkedIn engagement pods.

00:01:21 - What is an Engagement Pod?

Neal and Katie explain what engagement pods are and how they operate.

00:04:16 - The Downsides of Engagement Pods

Neal discusses the negative aspects, emphasizing how fake comments and likes dilute real engagement.

00:05:25 - Why Aren't They Banned?

Fred Copestake and John Aspirian weigh in on why LinkedIn tolerates these pods despite their questionable ethics.

00:09:44 - LinkedIn's Dilemma

Michelle J. Raymond and Philip Charter talk about LinkedIn’s possible motivations for allowing engagement pods.

00:13:05 - Expert Opinions:

Various experts share their views on the artificiality of these pods and...