> **The idea, in one sentence.** When you start on LinkedIn with **no audience**, posting barely works: nobody reads you yet. **Commenting does.** By commenting on the right creators, you borrow their audience and become visible **today** — without a single follower. This guide is a **step-by-step method for beginners**, backed by our first-party LinkHub data. Third-party figures are estimates from cited, dated studies — flagged as such. No invented numbers.

## Key takeaways

- **With no audience, a post falls flat — a comment doesn't.** In raw reach, posts crush comments (**1,607 vs 35 median impressions**), but a post **requires a network** to distribute; a comment **requires none**. *(see [comment vs post](/en/blog/commentaire-vs-post-linkedin))*
- **A comment is seen ~179 times on average**, whether you have 30 or 30,000 followers: its reach depends on the **host's** audience, not yours. *(see [comments vs likes](/en/blog/commentaires-vs-likes-linkedin))*
- **You can grow without ever posting.** Visibility, network and clients are all reachable through comments alone. *(see [grow without posting](/en/blog/grossir-linkedin-sans-poster))*
- **The 4 beginner steps**: 1) optimize your profile, 2) target 10-20 creators in your niche, 3) comment early and well, 4) keep a simple routine.
- **The right creator changes everything**: commenting on a top 10% creator in your niche earns **~3.4x more** impressions than the median. *(see [who to comment on](/en/blog/sur-qui-commenter-linkedin))*
- **And timing**: commenting in the **first 30 minutes** earns **~3.8x** more than after 24h. *(see [when to comment](/en/blog/quand-commenter-sur-linkedin))*
- **The real goal isn't impressions — it's relationships.** LinkedIn is a **social network**: commenting should lead you to **chat, move to DMs and build a network of peers in your niche**. That network is what later earns you likes and comments from people **genuinely** interested in you.

## 1. Why commenting is THE best starting point with no audience

The first mistake when starting out is believing you have to **post** to exist. But a post only exists if it has an audience to distribute it. With no established network, the algorithm shows your post to a handful of contacts; if initial engagement is weak, it dies. The result: you write, you publish… and 12 people see it. Discouraging.

Commenting flips the equation. When you comment on someone else's post, **you appear in front of the audience that creator already gathered** — without having to build it. That is exactly what makes it the best way in when you start from zero:

| Criterion | **POST** | **COMMENT** |
|---|---|---|
| **Median reach / unit** | **1,607 impressions** | **35 impressions** |
| **Audience required** | Yes — you need a network that reads you | **None — you borrow the host's** |
| **Visible on day 1?** | No — you need a network first | **Yes — with zero followers** |

**Reading.** Yes, a single post reaches further per unit (x46 at the median). But that reach has **one condition** you don't have yet: an audience. The comment caps lower per piece — yet it **requires no network** and is still seen **~179 times on average** (see [comments vs likes](/en/blog/commentaires-vs-likes-linkedin)), because it's the audience of the creator you comment on that sees you, not yours. The full numbers face-off is in [comment or post: which pays off more](/en/blog/commentaire-vs-post-linkedin).

The good news: you are **not required to post to grow**. Visibility, network and first clients are all reachable through comments alone — the full method is laid out in [grow on LinkedIn without posting](/en/blog/grossir-linkedin-sans-poster). And if you do start posting later, commenting will **boost your posts** on top. So start there.

General guides confirm this starting point: commenting is "the best algorithm hack with no ad budget, no big audience" ([The Trusted Voice, 2025](https://blog.thetrustedvoice.co/blog/engage/5-comment-rule-linkedin-leads/)).

## 2. Step 1 — Optimize your profile (before you comment)

When you comment, people click your name. If your profile is empty or confusing, they bounce. Your profile is your **landing page** — polish it before you start:

- **Sharp photo + a banner that says your niche.** A smiling face, a banner that visually communicates your topic ([Windmill Growth, 2026](https://windmillgrowth.com/blogseo/how-to-grow-linkedin-2026)).
- **A headline stating the problem you solve**, not just your job title. "I help B2B freelancers find clients on LinkedIn" beats "Consultant."
- **An About section that reads like a pitch**: who you help, how, and why to follow you.

That's a 30-minute investment that makes every comment more profitable: your borrowed visibility turns into profile visits, then connections.

## 3. Step 2 — Target 10-20 creators in your niche (the #1 lever)

For the same effort, **who** you comment on swings your visibility by a factor of 1 to over 40. Across 4,861 creators analyzed, the **median** creator earns **36 impressions per comment**; a **top 10%** creator earns **124 (~3.4x)** and a **top 1%, 357 (~10x)**. Same comment, same quality — placed under the right creator, it's seen **3 to 10x more** (see [who to comment on](/en/blog/sur-qui-commenter-linkedin)).

To start, build a list of **10 to 20 creators** (then grow to 20-40) that combine:

- **An audience in your niche**: their public = your prospects, peers and decision-makers. A big off-topic account is worth less than a highly engaged niche creator.
- **Real engagement**: an account with 8,000 active followers often beats one with 80,000 passive ones.
- **Consistency**: a creator who posts often gives you more chances to comment early.

Beginner tip: aim for creators **outside your current network** — commenting only within your connections means talking only to people who already know you ([Windmill Growth, 2026](https://windmillgrowth.com/blogseo/how-to-grow-linkedin-2026)).

To find these targets without guessing, LinkHub includes an **[AI profile recommendation](/en/features/ia-recommandation-profils)**: it analyzes your profile to infer your **[ICP](/en/blog/icp-commentaire-linkedin)**, then searches **100,000+ LinkedIn profiles** for those with the **best ROI for your niche** — not just the biggest accounts.

## 4. Step 3 — Comment early and well

Once your targets are grouped, two reflexes make the difference: being **early** and writing **well**.

**Comment early (the 0-30 min window).** Across 261,137 real comments, a comment posted within the **first 30 minutes** generates **391 impressions on average**, versus **104 after 24h** — that's **~3.8x more** (see [when to comment](/en/blog/quand-commenter-sur-linkedin)). The reason: a post gets most of its reach in its first hour; commenting then exposes you to its audience peak. The practical problem — you can't watch the native feed nonstop — is solved by [personalized feeds](/en/features/feeds-personnalises): you group your target creators and see their posts **as soon as they go live**.

**Comment well.** A useful comment adds something: a specific observation, an example, a reasoned disagreement, or a question that extends the conversation *(get inspired by these [LinkedIn comment examples](/en/blog/exemples-commentaires-linkedin))*. Aim for **15-40 words**: a comment of 10+ words weighs clearly more than a like in the algorithm. Avoid "Great post! 👏" that adds nothing and earns neither replies nor visits *(on the right use of [emojis in comments](/en/blog/emojis-commentaire-linkedin))*. *(The "how to write a good comment" details are covered in our dedicated guide — see [write a good comment](/en/blog/ecrire-bon-commentaire-linkedin).)*

LinkHub helps you do both fast: spot the right post as soon as it goes out and draft a **[personalized AI comment](/en/features/ia-commentaires-personnalises)** (always approved by you) in seconds.

## 5. Step 4 — Keep a simple routine

The real beginner's lever isn't a one-off stroke of genius: it's **consistency**. And it's within reach.

- **Aim for 5 comments/day to start** (the "5-comment rule"), then ramp up gradually ([The Trusted Voice, 2025](https://blog.thetrustedvoice.co/blog/engage/5-comment-rule-linkedin-leads/)).
- **Budget 15-30 min/day** — that's what 2026 guides recommend for the first month ([Windmill Growth](https://windmillgrowth.com/blogseo/how-to-grow-linkedin-2026)).
- **Be patient**: most accounts don't gain momentum until month 3-4. Consistency beats intensity.

With LinkHub, a comment takes **~29 s measured** (median, n = 44,523) — so 5 to 10 comments fit into **a few minutes a day**. That's exactly what makes the routine sustainable when you're starting out. *(The full routine structure is detailed in our [commenting routine](/en/blog/routine-commentaires-linkedin) guide.)*

## 6. The end goal: move to messages and build a real network

Keep one thing in mind: LinkedIn is a **social network**, not a billboard. Impressions are only a means — the goal, **from day one**, is to **build relationships**. A well-placed comment is just the first handshake; the real value is created when the conversation **moves to messages**.

Concretely, a beginner's journey looks like this:

- **Commenting** opens the door — you appear, you exist for the creator and their audience.
- **Exchanging in replies** under the post creates a first public link.
- **Moving to DMs** turns that link into a relationship: a message that extends the conversation, no pitch, just genuine interest *(the full path [from comment to client](/en/blog/commentaire-au-client-linkedin))*.
- **Building a network of peers in your niche**: by exchanging with other creators covering the same topic, you build a circle that knows you, reads you and is **genuinely interested in you**.

That network is what holds value over time. When 20, 50, then 100 people in your niche know you through your comments and exchanges, the **likes and comments on your own content** will come from genuinely interested people — not the algorithm alone. You no longer just borrow other people's audiences: you build **your own**, made of real relationships.

That's also why **targeting the right creators** (step 2) matters so much: commenting every day on the same 10-20 creators in your niche makes you familiar to them **and** their community. Keep them at hand in [personalized feeds](/en/features/feeds-personnalises) so you never miss a post and can nurture the relationship, day after day.

## 7. Should a beginner really never post?

No — but not right away. Posting builds your **deep authority** over time. The catch: with no audience, your first posts get little reach — they'll land better **after** commenting has built you an initial network and warmed up the algorithm.

So the optimal order for a beginner is: **comment first** (to get visible and earn your first followers without depending on an audience), **post later** (for authority, once people follow you). As a bonus, a daily commenting routine amplifies the reach of your future posts. The "grow without posting" method is detailed in [this guide](/en/blog/grossir-linkedin-sans-poster).

## FAQ

**Can you really break through on LinkedIn with no audience or followers?**
Yes. A comment borrows the audience of the creator you comment on — it's seen ~179 times on average, whether you have 30 or 30,000 followers. It's the most accessible way in when you start from zero, whereas a post with no network falls flat.

**Should a beginner post, or only comment?**
Start by commenting. With no audience, your posts get little reach; the comment makes you visible today. You can post later, once you've built an initial network — and commenting will then boost your posts.

**How many comments per day for a beginner?**
Aim for 5 comments/day to start (the "5-comment rule"), then ramp up. Budget 15-30 min/day — with LinkHub, ~29 s per comment, so a few minutes is enough.

**Who to comment on when you have nobody in your network?**
On 10-20 creators **in your niche**, ideally outside your current network (a top 10% earns ~3.4x the median). See [who to comment on](/en/blog/sur-qui-commenter-linkedin) and the [AI profile recommendation](/en/features/ia-recommandation-profils).

**What's the real point of commenting when you have no audience?**
To build relationships. Impressions are only a means: LinkedIn is a social network. Commenting gets you known by creators in your niche, opens conversations that move to messages, and gradually builds a real network — the one that earns you sincere likes and comments, not just algorithmic reach.

**How long before you see results?**
Be patient: most accounts don't gain momentum until month 3-4. Consistency (a simple routine, kept up) matters more than intensity.

## Sources & methodology

- **First-party LinkHub data** — impressions per comment and per post, creators commented on (`creator_stats_cache`), timing (261,137 comments), measured creation time (n = 44,523). See [comment vs post](/en/blog/commentaire-vs-post-linkedin), [comments vs likes](/en/blog/commentaires-vs-likes-linkedin), [who to comment on](/en/blog/sur-qui-commenter-linkedin), [when to comment](/en/blog/quand-commenter-sur-linkedin).
- [Windmill Growth — How to Grow on LinkedIn in 2026](https://windmillgrowth.com/blogseo/how-to-grow-linkedin-2026) · [The Trusted Voice — The 5-Comment Rule (2025)](https://blog.thetrustedvoice.co/blog/engage/5-comment-rule-linkedin-leads/)
- Browse all our studies on the [LinkHub blog](/en/blog).