LinkedIn Top Voice is invite only: there's no application form. LinkedIn reviews content on the platform to find new Top Voices, editors can grant the badge too, and badges are assessed and renewed twice a year, with each Top Voice keeping the blue badge for at least six months.
There used to be two kinds of Top Voice badge on LinkedIn, and a lot of advice online still mixes them up. One of them no longer exists. Here's what's current, from LinkedIn's own help centre.
The blue badge: invite only
LinkedIn describes Top Voices as an invite-only program. It reviews content shared on the platform to spot new and emerging Top Voices, and its editors may also grant the badge to select members. Those chosen get a blue badge on their profile identifying them as an expert on the platform.
How the selection works
| Point | What LinkedIn says |
|---|---|
| How you're found | LinkedIn reviews content on the platform; editors can also grant badges |
| What's weighed | Several factors, including safety, trust and professionalism |
| How long it lasts | At least six months |
| How often it's reviewed | Badges are assessed and renewed twice per year |
| Nominations | Reviewed quarterly |
The trust line matters more than people expect. LinkedIn says your profile, content and on-platform interactions all have to follow its policies, and that it will remove Top Voice status from any member who doesn't consistently meet the criteria. So the badge isn't a trophy you keep; it's reviewed. That's also why you'll see different Top Voices from one half of the year to the next.
What happened to the gold badge
If you remember gold Community Top Voice badges handed out for answering collaborative articles, that route is gone. LinkedIn says it retired the gold badge and stopped awarding it automatically for collaborative article contributions from October 8, 2024. Gold badges also expired within 60 days of being awarded, so any you still see in old screenshots are history. Guides that tell you to answer collaborative articles to get a badge are out of date.
Blue and gold, side by side
| Blue Top Voice | Gold Community Top Voice | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Current | Retired from October 8, 2024 |
| How it was given | Invitation, after LinkedIn's review or an editor's choice | Automatically, for collaborative article contributions |
| How long it lasts | At least six months, renewed twice a year | Expired within 60 days |
The practical takeaway is that the only Top Voice badge worth aiming for now is the blue one, and you can't game it with volume. LinkedIn reviews what you post and how you behave, and it reassesses twice a year. A Top Voice who stops meeting the standard can lose the badge at the next review.
How to make yourself easier to find
- Post consistently on a clear specialism, so LinkedIn's reviewers can see what you're an expert in.
- Write in your own words with real examples; LinkedIn is looking for expertise, not volume.
- Keep every interaction professional. Trust and safety are named selection factors, and repeated policy problems are a fast way to be passed over.
- Make your profile match your posts: headline, About section and experience should tell the same story.
My verdict
Don't chase the badge, chase the reason for it, and be wary of anyone offering a shortcut to it, because LinkedIn says the program is invite only. A clear specialism, posted consistently and professionally, is what LinkedIn says it reviews for, and it's also what gets you clients whether you're badged or not. For the content side, my hook and headline swipe file helps with opening lines, and the personal brand positioning prompts help you pin down the specialism first.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you apply to be a LinkedIn Top Voice?
No. LinkedIn says Top Voices is an invite-only program; it reviews content on the platform and editors can grant the badge.
How long does a LinkedIn Top Voice badge last?
LinkedIn says members remain a Top Voice for at least six months, and badges are assessed and renewed twice per year.
Can you still get the gold LinkedIn Top Voice badge?
No. LinkedIn retired the gold Community Top Voice badge and stopped awarding it for collaborative article contributions from October 8, 2024.
How often does LinkedIn review Top Voice nominations?
Quarterly, according to LinkedIn's help centre, while the badges themselves are assessed and renewed twice a year.
Can LinkedIn take away a Top Voice badge?
Yes. LinkedIn says it will remove Top Voice status from any member who doesn't consistently meet its criteria, including safety, trust and professionalism.
