LinkedIn Top Voice
LinkedInA LinkedIn Top Voice is a member whom LinkedIn has recognised with a badge for contributing valuable, credible expertise on the platform. The badge appears on their profile and alongside their name, marking them as a trusted contributor to their field.
The important thing to understand is that these badges are awarded by LinkedIn, not applied for. You cannot pay for one or submit yourself, which is part of what gives the badge its credibility. It is best thought of as recognition that follows consistent, high-quality contribution, rather than a lever you can pull directly.
Contents
Key takeaways
- Top Voice badges are granted by LinkedIn, not requested; you cannot buy or directly apply for one.
- There are two forms: the invitation-only blue LinkedIn Top Voices badge, and the topic-specific gold Community Top Voice badge tied to contributions in a subject area.
- The badge is a signal of credibility, not a growth tactic in itself; it tends to follow consistent, genuinely useful contribution rather than the other way around.
What is a LinkedIn Top Voice badge?
There are two distinct badges, and it helps to keep them separate:
- The blue LinkedIn Top Voices badge is an invitation-only recognition that LinkedIn extends to a selective group of established experts and public figures. It is not something a typical member can earn on demand.
- The gold Community Top Voice badge is topic-specific. LinkedIn awards it to members who make consistently valuable contributions in a particular subject area, for example by contributing thoughtfully to collaborative articles and discussions on that topic.
Both are granted by LinkedIn based on its own assessment of the member’s contributions. Neither can be purchased or directly applied for.
How do you become a LinkedIn Top Voice?
Because the badges are awarded rather than requested, the honest answer is that you influence them indirectly, by being the kind of contributor LinkedIn recognises:
- Contribute consistently on a clear topic, so your expertise is legible and associated with a subject.
- Add genuine substance, not just presence. Thoughtful, specific contributions carry more weight than volume.
- Engage where expertise is assessed, including collaborative articles in your field for the community badge.
There is no guaranteed route, and chasing the badge for its own sake tends to produce hollow content. The more reliable path is to build a real reputation on a topic; the badge, if it comes, is a byproduct.
Does a Top Voice badge actually matter?
The badge is a credibility signal. When someone sees it next to a name, it lends authority to that person’s posts and profile, which can help a message land and a connection request get accepted. For individuals building thought leadership, that is a genuine, if modest, advantage.
It is worth keeping in perspective, though. The badge follows influence; it does not create it. A consistent, valuable presence on LinkedIn delivers most of the benefit, recognition, trust, reach, whether or not a badge is ever awarded. Treat it as a nice marker of a reputation you are building anyway, not as the goal of the work.
Activate your team on LinkedIn
Heyoo helps marketing teams turn employees into authentic, on-brand storytellers, with personalised drafts, a shared calendar, and pipeline-grade analytics.
Frequently asked questions
Can you apply for a LinkedIn Top Voice badge?
No. Both the blue LinkedIn Top Voices badge and the gold Community Top Voice badge are awarded by LinkedIn based on its own assessment. You cannot submit an application or pay for one; you can only contribute in ways that make recognition more likely.
What is the difference between the blue and gold badges?
The blue LinkedIn Top Voices badge is an invitation-only recognition for a selective group of established experts and public figures. The gold Community Top Voice badge is topic-specific, awarded for consistently valuable contributions in a particular subject area.
Does a Top Voice badge increase your reach?
Indirectly, at most. The badge signals credibility, which can help posts and connection requests land better, but LinkedIn does not document it as a reach or ranking benefit. The reach comes from the consistent, valuable contribution the badge reflects, not the badge itself.