Yes, LinkedIn is indeed removing a specific type of its "Top Voice" badges.
LinkedIn's Gold Community Top Voice Badge Retirement
LinkedIn is retiring the gold Community Top Voice badge that was previously awarded for contributions to collaborative articles. This change is set to take effect starting October 8th, 2024.
What This Means for Users
The retirement of this specific badge signifies a shift in how LinkedIn acknowledges expert contributions. Here's a breakdown of the key changes:
- No Automatic Earning: After October 8th, 2024, you will no longer automatically earn the gold Community Top Voice badge by contributing to collaborative articles.
- Existing Badge Expiration: If you currently possess a gold Community Top Voice badge, it will expire within 60 days from the date you originally received it. This means these badges will gradually phase out from user profiles.
- Focus on Other Recognition: While this particular badge is being retired, LinkedIn may explore other ways to recognize valuable contributions and expertise on the platform. The emphasis is shifting from automatic badging for collaborative article contributions.
This update indicates a refinement in LinkedIn's strategy for community recognition, moving away from an automated badge system tied to collaborative article contributions.
Summary of Changes
To clarify the impact of this update, refer to the table below:
| Feature | Prior to Oct 8, 2024 | Starting Oct 8, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Badge Type Affected | Gold Community Top Voice badge | Gold Community Top Voice badge |
| Earning Mechanism | Automatically earned through contributions to collaborative articles | No longer automatically earned |
| Status of Existing Badges | Active and displayed on profiles | Existing badges will expire within 60 days of their acquisition |
| Visibility on Profiles | Visible | Will gradually disappear as they expire |
This change primarily affects the gold Community Top Voice badge. Users should be aware that the criteria and mechanisms for other forms of LinkedIn recognition may differ.
