If you are serious about your build personal brand or establishing thought leadership in LinkedInYour LinkedIn SSI (Social Selling Index) score should be on your radar. This often-overlooked metric is more than a number—it's a strategic tool that helps measure the effectiveness of your content and activity on your professional branding and networking goals.

With LinkedIn as the leading platform for professional connections, understanding and leveraging your SSI score provides a competitive advantage. Here's what you need to know, how to find your score and, most importantly, how to use it to your advantage.

Related: How to optimize your LinkedIn profile in 6 easy steps

What is LinkedIn's SSI Score?

LinkedIn's SSI score is essentially a performance measure of how well you're using the platform to create an influential presence. The score is calculated based on four main areas:

1. Create your professional brand
   This measures how well you showcase your expertise by creating meaningful and engaging content. LinkedIn wants to see if you're making an effort to post thoughtful updates, share industry news, and contribute to trending conversations.

2. Find the right people
   It's not just about the number of links you have – it's about the quality. LinkedIn evaluates how effectively you connect with relevant professionals, whether they are potential clients, colleagues or industry leaders.

3. Engage with knowledge
   Networking also means interacting with what others share. This component tracks how often you like, comment and engage with other users' posts. Being an active participant increases your credibility and visibility.

4. Build relationships
   Beyond connectivity, LinkedIn evaluates how well you nurture relationships. Whether through comments or direct messages, meaningful conversations strengthen your network and reflect positively on your bottom line.

How to find your SSI result

Finding your SSI result is quick and easy. Here's how:

1. Google “LinkedIn SSI Score.”
2. Click on the first result that appears.
3. Select “Get Your Result” from the top banner.

You will receive a score between 0 and 100, with each of the four components contributing to your overall score.

Related: 4 tips and tricks to up your LinkedIn game

What is a good SSI score?

Here's a quick guide to figuring out your score:

• 70 or above: Congratulations — you're a LinkedIn Pro. You've mastered the art of social selling and are effectively using the platform for your brand.
• 60 to 69: You are in a solid position, but there is still room for improvement. Focus on engaging with more content and nurturing your relationships.
• 50 to 59: You're progressing, but it's time to level up. A score in this range suggests that as you use LinkedIn, you can do more to maximize its potential.
• Under 50: It's time to review your strategy. If your score is below 50, you are missing out on key opportunities to build your personal brand and expand your network.

How to improve your SSI score

Looking to boost your score? Try these three daily habits:

1. Send 10-15 targeted link requests every day. The more important connections you make, the more value you add to your network.
2. Make at least five meaningful comments on others' posts. Thoughtful engagement with content shows LinkedIn that you are an active participant in your network.
3. Like 10-20 posts on your home feed. This increases your visibility and strengthens your relationships with those in your network.

Why your SSI score matters

So why should you care about your SSI score?

A high score increases your visibility. LinkedIn rewards active users promoting their content to more people, increasing your reach and influence. Additionally, a higher score unlocks the ability to send more connection requests, allowing you to grow your network faster.

LinkedIn tracks every interaction – from a like to a direct message – and uses this data to gauge your level of engagement. The more active and strategic you are, the more LinkedIn helps you increase your professional influence.

Your LinkedIn SSI score is more than just a vanity metric – it's a tool that provides insight into how well you're leveraging the platform for personal branding and networking. By improving each of the four components, you will increase your score and build a stronger and more engaged professional network.

Remember, LinkedIn looks at every post, like, comment, and connection request you make. So before you create your next post, check your SSI score, implement these strategies, and start making every interaction count.