Engagement pods are a scam. They are “like for like” groups whose members agree to post on a set schedule and to engage with each other like a bunch of bots.

Typically led by a self proclaimed guru, with no real expertise or experience in marketing. The main leader of these group is the sole beneficiary as they get access to the network of many self employed people, who had to work very hard in building trust and credibility in their markets.

They promise you a quick boost in likes and comments, but instead they destroy your credibility and make people unfollow you in mass numbers.

Nobody on earth wants to see a bunch of fake bot-like comments flooding their feed.

Here are 10 reasons why you need to avoid them like the plague (or scientology for that matter) :

1. The Illusion of Engagement

Engagement pods are like junk food: they fill you up with empty calories that do nothing for you. Sure, your posts might get more likes, but those likes are as meaningless as Monopoly money. You think you’re winning, but you’re actually starving your profile of real engagement. The numbers look pretty, but when it comes down to it, they’re about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

2. Losing Trust and Credibility

Trust is hard-earned and easily lost, and nothing destroys it faster than fake engagement. When people see you mindlessly liking and commenting on garbage posts because you’re in a pod, they see right through it. They know you’re not being authentic, and once that trust is gone, good luck getting it back. You’re basically telling your network that your words are for sale.

3. Violation of LinkedIn Policies

LinkedIn and other platforms aren’t stupid, they know when you’re trying to cheat the system, and they don’t take kindly to it. You could wake up one day to find your account suspended or even banned. Simply said it is against LinkedIn’s T&Cs and you can get reported by someone whose had enough of your spam. Imagine explaining that to a potential client. “Oh, sorry, I lost my LinkedIn account because I was desperate and joined a like for like group” – sounds great doesn’t it?

4. Confusing the Algorithm

Engagement pods mess with the algorithms that are supposed to help you. When your posts get random engagement from people who don’t give a damn about your content and are not your ICP, the algorithm thinks your content is worthless and starts showing it to the wrong people. You’re sabotaging your reach and ensuring that your real audience never sees your posts.

5. Fake Engagement, Real Damage

The engagement you get from these pods is as fake as a three-dollar bill. It doesn’t translate into real connections, real conversations, or real business. All it does is give you a bloated sense of importance that will come crashing down the second you stop playing the pod game. You’re trading real, meaningful growth for short-lived numbers that do nothing for you.

6. Time Wasted on Empty Interactions

Engagement pods are a colossal waste of time. The hours you spend liking and commenting on irrelevant posts could be spent on something that actually matters, like creating killer content or engaging with people who actually care about what you’re saying. Instead, you’re stuck in this endless cycle of empty interactions that drain your energy and piss off your network.

7. Algorithm Suppression

Think the algorithms won’t catch on? Think again. These platforms are getting smarter by the day, and they’re designed to punish inauthentic behavior. Your pod-driven content might get a boost today, but over time, it’ll be buried so deep in the feed that even you won’t be able to find it. The algorithms will see to that, and you’ll be left wondering where it all went wrong. Funnily enough your group will blame LinkedIn and Algo instead of looking in the mirror.

8. No quality control

When you’re in an engagement pod, you’re surrounded by yes-men. Every post is “amazing,” every comment is “insightful,” and no one dares to tell you that your content sucks. This bubble of false praise will suffocate your creativity and leave you churning out bland, uninspired content that no one outside the pod cares about. You lose your edge, and once that’s gone, good luck getting it back.

9. No Real Connection to Your Target Audience

The people in your pod aren’t your target audience. They’re not interested in your content; they’re interested in boosting their own engagement. This disconnect means you’re wasting your time and energy on people who will never convert into clients, customers, or even genuine followers. You’re filling your feed with noise, and in doing so, you’re alienating the people who actually matter.

10. You can’t skip the grind

Here’s the hard cold truth: there are no shortcuts to success. If you want to grow your online presence, you need to do it the right way, through hard work, authenticity, and genuine engagement. Create content that matters, connect with people who care, and watch your influence grow organically. Not getting engagement or views will teach you to be more creative and add more value. Something you don’t do or get from engagement pods.

Conclusion

Engagement pods are a trap, plain and simple. They lure you in with promises of easy engagement, but all they deliver is a wrecked reputation and a profile that’s about as valuable as a counterfeit coin. If you care about your credibility, your brand, and your future, steer clear of these toxic groups and focus on building something real.