In response to an article I read lauding LinkedIn’s Like feature, I felt it my duty to re-post this article I wrote in April decrying this very feature. I’ve added a fourth reason why Liking an article is meaningless.

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One day I shared an article on LinkedIn. No sooner had I done this, I received a Like from one of my connections. Now this person must be the fastest reader on earth, or she simply saw my name and hit the Like link.

Don’t get me wrong; I appreciate my articles being Liked. But I would rather receive a comment with or without a Like. Yes, even if the reader thinks it’s total bunk. Here are three reasons why only clicking Like is a waste of time.

1. It’s too easy. Clicking Like takes approximately two seconds, whereas writing a comment involves thought and effort. When I enjoy a great article, I am happy to praise it. But to simply Like it makes me feel lazy.

On the other hand, if the article starts off with a bang and ends dismally, I won’t comment or Like it. Chalk it up as a waste of time, as they say. If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything is what some of us were told by our parents. I follow this advice.

2. It doesn’t promote real interaction. The recipient of a Like has no real recourse, not like he would if a person were to write a glowing statement about the article he shared or comment he contributed. With endorsements, LinkedIn made a statement about its members being more engaging and interacting with each other. At least endorsements provide us with the option of returning the favor.

When I saw the Like that day, I didn’t feel inclined to write a note to my connection, “Thank you for liking my post…uh….” You see what I mean? On the other hand, if said person wrote a comment praising or criticizing it, I would gladly write, “I see your point about brainstorming being appreciated by intuitive types, but for me it’s a drain and often uneventful.”

3. It clutters people’s homepage. Alex Likes a group discussion. Katie Likes this [photo]. When I’m trying to read through the updates that stream on my homepage, I don’t need Likes cluttering it.

One of my connections Liked a large photo that had an inspirational quote on it. I’m a huge fan of Morgan Freeman, but I don’t appreciate an image that covers half my screen, as well as an inspirational quote that…didn’t inspire me.

One of my valued connections, Trenton Wilson, wrote a great post that says it best, Don’t be a Homepage Hijacker!

4. It stinks of Facebook. As LinkedIn members, we’re always trying to separate ourselves from Facebook. Whereas LinkedIn is a professional networking site, Facebook is a social gathering. Yet over the years, LinkedIn is emulating Facebook, much like Ford compares itself to Toyota.

What this tells me about LinkedIn is that it wants to be more like Facebook, just as Ford wants to be more like Toyota. Let’s pray this doesn’t happen, for LinkedIn that is.

Do the right thing; comment on someone’s update. Whether it’s an article a person shares, a few words of sage advice, a work anniversary announcement, or even a photo with an inspirational quote; don’t merely Like it. Write a comment, instead; or Like it and also write a comment. Comments are so much more meaningful.

If you liked this post, or even if you didn’t; write a comment and Like it.