If you're tired of your LinkedIn posts getting a handful of likes (mostly from your coworkers), you're not alone. Engagement pods—groups where people agree to like and comment on each other's posts—promise a quick fix. Lempod is the most popular tool for managing these pods. But before you dive in, here's the unvarnished truth: pods can help, but it's not magic. If you want more reach without looking desperate or spammy, here's how to do it step-by-step.
Who Should Use Lempod (and Who Shouldn’t)
Lempod is for people who want to boost their LinkedIn presence—marketers, founders, consultants, job seekers. It’s especially helpful if you:
- Post regularly on LinkedIn and want your stuff seen by more real people
- Are willing to support others’ content, not just get likes for yourself
- Understand that “pods” are a gray area in LinkedIn’s rules—and sometimes get shut down
If you’re hoping for effortless virality or hate engaging with other people’s posts, skip pods altogether. The engagement you get will only be as good as what you put in.
Step 1: Get Set Up With Lempod
Before you can join or create pods, you need to get Lempod running.
- Sign Up: Go to lempod.html and create an account. You’ll need a LinkedIn profile.
- Install the Chrome Extension: Lempod works through a Chrome extension that connects with your LinkedIn session. No extension, no automation.
- Connect Your LinkedIn: Log in to LinkedIn in Chrome, then click the Lempod extension. It should sync automatically.
Heads-up: Lempod is technically against LinkedIn’s terms. If you’re risk-averse, consider whether you want to play this game.
Step 2: Understand How Pods Actually Work
Pods aren’t complicated, but there’s a lot of bad advice floating around. Here’s what you need to know:
- What’s a Pod? A group of LinkedIn users who agree to interact with each others’ posts to boost visibility.
- Automated vs. Manual Pods: Lempod automates likes and comments from pod members. This saves time, but can look robotic if you’re not careful.
- Niche Matters: General pods are full of randoms. Niche pods (industry, function, interests) lead to more authentic engagement—LinkedIn’s algorithm likes that.
Pro tip: Don’t go overboard. Joining too many pods or getting a flood of obviously fake engagement can backfire. LinkedIn is getting smarter.
Step 3: Find and Join the Right Pods
Here’s where most people mess up—they join the first pod they see. Don’t do that.
How to Search for Pods
- Open Lempod’s Pod Marketplace: Inside the extension, you’ll see a list of available pods. They’re sorted by topic, language, and size.
- Filter by Relevance: Look for pods in your industry or target audience. Ignore “General” pods with thousands of members—they’re mostly noise.
- Check Pod Quality:
- Member Profiles: Click through and see who’s in the pod. Are they real? Do they post content you respect?
- Engagement Rules: Some pods require you to comment, not just like. That’s more work, but also more valuable.
- Post Frequency: If you’re not posting weekly, don’t join a daily pod—you’ll get kicked for being inactive.
How to Join
- Request Access: Click “Join” on the pod you want. Some are open, some require approval.
- Follow the Rules: Every pod has rules—read them. Usually, you need to engage with others’ posts as much as they engage with yours.
- Introduce Yourself: If the pod is active, post a quick intro. Actual humans notice.
What to Ignore: Don’t chase the biggest pod. Bigger isn’t better—relevance and quality matter more.
Step 4: Set Up Your Post for Maximum Reach
Your post’s reach depends on more than just pod engagement. Here’s what actually works:
- Post Timing: Share during business hours in your audience’s time zone.
- Content Quality: Pods can’t save boring or spammy posts. Share stuff that makes people pause, not just scroll.
- First 60 Minutes: Lempod works best if you trigger engagement right after posting. The LinkedIn algorithm weighs early likes and comments heavily.
- Customize Comments: Auto-comments are obvious and can look fake. If you can, write your own or choose pods where people comment manually.
Pro tip: Don’t use pods to “save” weak posts. Use them to amplify posts that already have value.
Step 5: Create Your Own Pod (If You Want More Control)
If you can’t find a pod you like, or want higher-quality engagement, create your own.
How to Start a Pod
- Click “Create Pod” in the Extension: Give it a clear name and description. Be honest about the focus and rules.
- Set the Rules:
- Type: Likes only, likes + comments, or comments only.
- Frequency: Daily, weekly, or something else. Match it to how often you and your group post.
- Quality Control: Decide if you’ll review profiles or let anyone in (hint: hand-picking is usually better).
- Invite People:
- Start with connections you trust or respect—people with real profiles and solid content.
- Share the pod link privately. Avoid blasting it in public groups unless you want spam.
Managing Your Pod
- Kick out freeloaders: If someone never engages, remove them. Pods only work if everyone participates.
- Communicate: Remind people of the rules. Nudge inactive members privately—don’t shame people in public.
- Tweak as needed: If engagement drops or quality slips, change the rules or membership.
What doesn’t work: Letting total strangers in just to boost numbers. That’s how pods die.
Step 6: Monitor Results and Stay Under the Radar
Pod engagement can help your posts get noticed, but it isn’t foolproof. Here’s how to keep it working for you:
- Track Post Performance: Compare reach and engagement before and after using pods. If your numbers don’t budge, try a different pod or rethink your content.
- Rotate Pods Occasionally: Staying in the same pod forever can create patterns LinkedIn may spot. Switch it up every month or so.
- Don’t Overdo It: If every post of yours suddenly gets 100 likes from people in random industries, LinkedIn will notice. Aim for 10–30 quality interactions per post if you’re starting out.
- Take Breaks: If LinkedIn ever sends you a warning or engagement drops, pause pod activity for a week or two.
Real talk: If pods are the only reason your posts get seen, you’re not building a real following. Use them as a boost, not a crutch.
The Honest Truth: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What to Ignore
What works: - Niche pods with active, real people. - Mixing pod engagement with real, organic comments. - Using pods to amplify genuinely interesting content.
What doesn’t: - Joining massive, generic pods (low-quality engagement, easy to spot). - Relying 100% on automated comments—people can tell. - Trying to “game” LinkedIn’s algorithm with nothing but pods.
Ignore: - Anyone promising guaranteed virality. - Pods that ask you to pay big bucks for “premium” engagement. Usually a waste.
Keep It Simple and Iterate
Pods can help you get noticed, but they’re not the endgame. Focus on sharing good content, join or create pods with people who actually care, and keep an eye on results. If it feels forced or fake, step back. The best way to build reach is steady, real engagement—pods are just a nudge in the right direction.