LinkedIn doesn't want your AI slop anymore
Source: Engadget
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LinkedIn’s New Crackdown on AI‑Generated Content
LinkedIn has long been on the frontlines of the “AI slopidemic.” In a recent blog post, VP of Product Laura Lorenzetti announced that the platform will now target posts that exhibit hallmarks of AI‑generated drivel—ranging from outright engagement bait to recycled “thought leadership” and other generic content that “lacks authenticity and originality.” The company is also flagging posts and comments that contain obvious AI phrasing such as “it’s not X, it’s Y”.
How the Detection Works
LinkedIn hasn’t disclosed the exact mechanics of its detection system, but it notes that engineers collaborated with an in‑house editorial team to identify patterns in member engagement. The goal is to recognize content that adds perspective, context, or expertise versus material that merely repeats existing ideas without contributing anything new. When a post is flagged, it will no longer appear in other users’ recommendations, though it will remain visible to the author’s direct connections and followers.
Balancing AI Assistance and Authenticity
The move arrives while LinkedIn continues to roll out its own generative‑AI tools, such as the “rewrite with AI” button in the post composer. The platform emphasizes that AI‑assisted content is still welcome provided it contains original ideas or sparks meaningful conversation. Relevant references:
- You can now enhance your LinkedIn profile with AI‑written suggestions
- LinkedIn’s new AI will write messages to hiring managers
Context: AI Slop Across Social Platforms
LinkedIn is not alone in grappling with AI‑generated low‑quality content, but the professional network has historically struggled with self‑promotion and borderline spam. Earlier this year, members endured weeks of what was dubbed “em dash discourse,” a debate sparked by the belief that excessive em‑dash usage signaled AI‑written posts. (Large‑language models have indeed been trained on vast amounts of human writing, including works that “love a good, old em dash.”) Since then, the feed has been flooded with posts both lamenting AI slop and contributing to it.
Outlook
LinkedIn reports that early results from the new measures are “encouraging” and expects further declines in low‑quality AI content over the “weeks and months ahead.”