In today’s hyper-connected professional world, knowing how to endorse on LinkedIn is a powerful way to build credibility, strengthen relationships, and boost your personal brand. Endorsements serve as quick, visible validations of skills that can open doors to new opportunities, whether you’re a seller, marketer, consultant, or knowledge worker. This practical guide dives into the best strategies for endorsing authentically, leveraging LinkedIn’s features, and using tools like FlyMSG to amplify your impact. Whether you’re new to LinkedIn or looking to sharpen your social selling skills, mastering endorsements will help you Type Less. Do More. and create meaningful connections that drive your career forward.
Key Takeaways
LinkedIn endorsements are quick, visible social proof for skills. Learning how to endorse on LinkedIn helps you build relationships, not just decorate profiles.
- You must be a 1st-degree connection to endorse someone for a skill on LinkedIn.
- Endorsing a skill on LinkedIn validates a user’s professional expertise and creates a public record of validation.
- Be genuine and specific; a well-crafted endorsement can help highlight specific skills and competencies.
- Pair endorsements with comments, posts, and DMs to create real conversations.
- FlyMSG helps sales pros and knowledge workers Type Less. Do More. while staying visible.
Why LinkedIn Endorsements Matter in 2026
A BDR, consultant, or marketer sees “50+ endorsements” on a profile and wonders: does this actually matter, or is it last year’s models dressed up like new cars? Fair question.
A LinkedIn skill endorsement is a quick click validating someone’s listed skill. A recommendation is a written story. Endorsements are fast signals; recommendations are deeper proof, and both perform better when supported by a strong LinkedIn profile photo and visual presence.
In 2026, endorsements still help because buyers, recruiters, and partners scan for patterns. If 40 people endorse “Sales Enablement,” that says something. It supports credibility, search visibility, and trust.
So yes, we’ll cover all the hows and a child’s unending whys: understanding the meaning, form, and function of “how” helps clarify the ways professionals can effectively endorse skills on LinkedIn. Knowing how to navigate LinkedIn’s endorsement features and etiquette is essential for building credibility and meaningful connections in today’s digital professional landscape.
How to Endorse Someone on LinkedIn (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how a score is made in the Skills section.
Desktop:
- Go to the person’s LinkedIn profile.
- Confirm they are a 1st-degree connection.
- Scroll to “Skills.”
- Click the “+” or “Endorse” button beside a skill.
- If prompted, choose proficiency and how you know them.
- Click “Submit.”
LinkedIn allows multiple skills to be endorsed at once, but don’t treat it like a shop sale with every price slashed. Once a skill endorsement is submitted on LinkedIn, the endorser’s name and profile picture appear next to the skill, and a notification is sent to the connection.
Mobile app:
- Tap search.
- Open the profile.
- Scroll to “Skills.”
- Tap the plus icon.
- Confirm any dialog boxes.
- Save.
LinkedIn may limit bursts of activity or suggest skills based on relationship signals. Add screenshots or callout boxes here if you’re training sales teams or onboarding new reps.
Choosing the Right Skills to Endorse (So It Doesn’t Look Fake)
Randomly clicking every visible skill is how an accident happen. Such nonsense weakens your credibility and theirs.
Endorse skills you’ve personally seen: “Enterprise Sales,” “Content Strategy,” “Python Programming,” “Customer Success,” or “Data Storytelling.” Avoid vague buzzwords unless you’ve seen proof.
Look at their top three pinned skills first. Those shape the profile narrative. Then scan the long tail. Choose 1–3 skills tied to real projects, deals, deliverables, or outcomes from 2022–2026.
Match the endorsement to their headline and About section. That makes it easier for prospects and hiring managers to understand their professional strengths.
Best Practices: How to Endorse on LinkedIn Without Being Awkward
Endorsements are micro-gestures of trust. Done well, they start a talk. Done badly, they feel like a strange cold pitch.
- Send a short DM: “Just endorsed you for Sales Leadership – your Q4 enablement rollout was amazing.”
- Space endorsements out. Don’t endorse 20 people in one afternoon.
- Don’t endorse people you barely know just to sell later.
- For senior leaders, endorse core strengths you’ve observed.
- Don’t argue publicly about someone’s skills list. Be careful and address it privately.
Art thou called to endorse everyone you’ve ever met? No. Art thou better off being selective? Yes.
Save short templates in FlyMSG Auto Text Expander by Vengreso as FlyCuts so outreach stays fast and honest.
Turning Endorsements into Real Conversations (Especially for Sellers)
Think of endorsements as pre-hello touchpoints. They warm up relationships before prospecting begins.
Try this:
- Comment thoughtfully on a prospect’s post using effective LinkedIn commenting strategies.
- Endorse a skill you’ve legitimately observed, like “SaaS Product Marketing.”
- A few days later, send a PVC message: Personalization, Value, Call to action.
Endorsing others on LinkedIn can enhance your professional relationships and increase visibility within your network. For knowledge workers, genuine endorsements keep your network alive across roles, companies, and time zones, especially when part of a broader LinkedIn marketing and networking strategy.
Track who endorsed you and whom you endorsed in a CRM note or spreadsheet. Follow up naturally to start turning LinkedIn connections into conversations. Create Momentum.
Using FlyMSG to Amplify Your LinkedIn Endorsement Strategy
FlyMSG is the all-in-one suite that helps you Type Less. Do More. on LinkedIn and pairs perfectly with LinkedIn training that explodes your brand and increases sales.
Use FlyMSG to (plans range from free to advanced AI writing and sales engagement tiers):
- Save endorsement thank-you replies as FlyCuts.
- Polish connection notes and optimize LinkedIn InMail outreach for higher engagement with FlyMSG AI Grammar Checker by Vengreso.
- Rewrite clumsy notes using FlyMSG Paragraph Rewrite by Vengreso.
- Configure your AI Persona by choosing industry, niche, and tone so messages fit your voice.
Install FlyMSG free on Chrome or Edge and start executing today.
LinkedIn Comment Generator: Engage Before and After You Endorse
Silent endorsements are fine. Visible engagement is better, especially when you master LinkedIn comments for better engagement.
FlyMSG LinkedIn Comment Generator by Vengreso helps you create thoughtful LinkedIn comments in one click. Configure your AI Persona once, pick your tone, then comment in a voice that sounds like you.
Mini-workflow (after you’ve sent a high-acceptance LinkedIn connection request):
- See a connection celebrating a 2026 promotion.
- Generate a specific comment.
- Endorse “Leadership” or another real skill.
- Send a quick FlyCut DM.
That combo feels supportive, not random. Modern buyers notice patterns.
LinkedIn Post Generator: Showcase the Skills You Want Endorsed
FlyMSG LinkedIn Post Generator by Vengreso helps you publish posts that showcase expertise, similar to other AI-powered LinkedIn post generators for visibility and engagement.
Turn a blog, YouTube video, or idea into a LinkedIn-ready post directly inside “Start a post.” Control tone, length, and language.
Post 2–3 times weekly about skills you want associated with your name: “Enterprise Discovery,” “Negotiation,” “Data Storytelling.” Follow guidance on creating impactful LinkedIn posts to explode visibility. Think like a marketer, act like a seller.
How to Manage, Reorder, and Ask for LinkedIn Endorsements
Endorsements only help if the right ones show.
To reorder skills (and support broader LinkedIn profile optimization to get found by buyers):
- Open your profile.
- Scroll to “Skills.”
- Click “Edit” or “Reorder.”
- Move current, strategic skills to the top.
Delete outdated skills from pre-2020 roles. If you seldom use a tool, remove it so your profile supports an effective LinkedIn profile for sales professionals.
To ask for endorsements, choose people who know your work. Reference a specific project, outcome, or measure. Keep the letter short, informal, and professional: “Would you be open to endorsing me for Account Management based on our renewal project?” You can pair this with additional LinkedIn tips and tricks to improve your overall presence.
FAQ
Do LinkedIn endorsements still matter in 2026, or should I focus only on recommendations?
Both matter. Endorsements provide quick pattern recognition; recommendations provide a deeper story. Use endorsements for visible validation and recommendations for detailed proof.
How many skills should I endorse for one person at a time?
Endorse 1–3 accurate skills. A focused cluster looks credible. A random figure across unrelated skills can feel funny, and not in a good way.
Is it okay to ask someone to endorse me for a specific skill?
Yes, if you are specific and respectful. Mention the project and the skill. Offer value back, such as an accurate endorsement, referral, or introduction.
Can I hide endorsements I don’t want seen?
You can edit your Skills section, remove individual skills, and manage visibility options. Review your profile at least twice a year.
How can FlyMSG save time while I manage endorsements?
FlyMSG stores reusable messages, improves grammar, rewrites awkward notes, and helps you create comments and posts faster. More visibility. Less typing. More momentum, especially when combined with FlyMSG Sales Pro Teams for advanced LinkedIn prospecting and training and other LinkedIn automation tools for lead generation.
