Most Followed LinkedIn Profiles in 2024 Ranked

Introduction to LinkedIn Follower Rankings

In the world of professional networking, LinkedIn follower rankings are a powerful indicator of influence and audience reach. LinkedIn has grown from a simple resume-hosting site into a global hub where more than 950 million members connect, share insights, and build personal brands. Understanding who has the most followers on LinkedIn—and why—can provide valuable lessons for anyone looking to grow their visibility and credibility in professional circles.

For influencers, executives, and thought leaders, follower counts reflect not just popularity but also industry authority. In 2024, LinkedIn's algorithm continues to reward high-value content, making follower metrics an essential benchmark for social impact.

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Understanding Follower Metrics on LinkedIn

On LinkedIn, followers differ from connections:

• Connections: Mutual relationships allowing both parties to message and interact directly; limited to your 1st-degree network.
• Followers: One-way relationships; individuals subscribe to your updates without being connected.

This distinction is important because a LinkedIn profile can host millions of followers with fewer connections, enabling broader content distribution beyond immediate networks.

Followers see public posts in their feed, making the metric highly relevant for public influence and reach.

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Why Follower Counts Matter for Personal Branding and Influence

High follower counts can:

1. Boost credibility — People tend to trust widely followed voices.
2. Expand reach — Larger audiences lead to increased post visibility and engagement potential.
3. Attract opportunities — Recruiters, collaborators, and media often notice popular profiles first.

When people ask “Who has the most followers on LinkedIn?”, they are really asking who leads conversations within global professional networks.

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Top 10 LinkedIn Accounts with the Most Followers in 2024

As of June 2024, the top LinkedIn profiles ranked by followers are:

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Notable Trends Among High-Follower Accounts

From this ranking, several patterns emerge:

1. Technology leadership dominates — Four of the top ten come from tech.
2. Content diversity matters — Successful accounts publish thought leadership, personal reflections, and industry commentary.
3. Consistency drives growth — Regular posting keeps audiences engaged.
4. Cross-platform influence — Most maintain large followings on other major platforms.

Philanthropy- and entrepreneurship-focused content also performs strongly, showing audiences value inspiration and social good.

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Case Study: Strategies Used by the Number One Account

Bill Gates, at 39.5 million followers, uses a multifaceted strategy:

• Purpose-driven content on health, climate change, and education.
• High-value resources such as detailed reports for credibility.
• Active comment engagement to build community.
• Short, professional videos to boost shares and watch time.

His longstanding offline reputation ensures organic migration of followers from other platforms and initiatives.

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Comparison to Previous Years’ Rankings

The year-over-year growth tells its own story:

• 2022: 34 million followers.
• 2023: 37.5 million (≈10% growth).
• 2024: 39.5 million (slightly slower growth).

Slower growth at the top suggests a saturation point, while mid-tier influencers (1–5 million followers) are now climbing faster through niche, high-value content.

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How to Gain Followers Organically on LinkedIn

To build your follower base without paid ads, employ these approaches:

1. Post consistently — Aim for three to four impactful posts per week.
2. Deliver value — Provide detailed insights, guides, and actionable advice.
3. Engage with others — Reply to comments and comment thoughtfully on others’ posts.
4. Incorporate rich media — Include videos, infographics, and slides to increase engagement.
5. Collaborate — Tag peers or partners in relevant posts.
6. Participate in groups — Share expertise within niche communities.

Example: Scheduling LinkedIn posts via Node.js pseudocode:

const linkedIn = require('linkedin-api');

linkedIn.authenticate('YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN');

linkedIn.schedulePost({
  content: 'Top insights from my latest project...',
  date: '2024-07-05T10:00:00Z'
});

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Effects of Algorithm Changes on Follower Growth

LinkedIn’s 2024 algorithm shifts include:

• Prioritizing conversations over pure link-sharing.
• Boosting niche experts for relevant audiences.
• Emphasizing short-form video content in feeds.

Influencers relying on link-heavy posts may need to pivot toward higher-interaction formats to sustain growth.

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Conclusion and Future Outlook

In 2024, the answer to “Who has the most followers on LinkedIn?” is clear—Bill Gates leads by a significant margin. However, emerging voices in AI, renewable energy, and other growth industries may reshape leaderboards in the years ahead.

Established influencers could see follower numbers plateau, while niche specialists can rise rapidly with authentic, high-quality content. On LinkedIn, influence is cultivated by starting meaningful conversations and delivering consistent value—so begin engaging now to grow your professional impact.

Ready to expand your LinkedIn reach? Apply these strategies today and position yourself among the next wave of top influencers.