What It Means for Collaborative Articles & Thought Leadership

While the gold badge may be gone, LinkedIn still retains its blue Top Voice Badge. This badge is awarded by invitation only to senior-level experts, leaders, and those who consistently contribute high-quality content on the platform.

For many, earning a blue Top Voice Badge is a more prestigious achievement than the gold badge ever was. While it’s more difficult to obtain, the blue badge serves as a symbol of genuine authority and industry expertise. This badge is not tied to collaborative articles, but rather to overall content contributions that demonstrate leadership and influence.

The removal of the gold badge might actually make the blue badge even more valuable. With fewer opportunities for mass recognition, more contributors will focus on high-quality content and building genuine influencewhich could increase the level of engagement and the credibility of content shared on LinkedIn.