Reply to comments in the Engage inbox

Comments are where LinkedIn posts turn into conversations, and replying quickly keeps your posts alive. The Engage inbox collects the comments on your recent posts, shows which ones still need an answer, and helps you write replies.

Open Engage in the sidebar, under Publishing. The Inbox tab opens first.

Turn on LinkedIn engagement (first time)

To read and answer comments, LinkedIn needs a few extra permissions. If you have not granted them, Postiv shows Turn on LinkedIn engagement.

1. Click Connect LinkedIn.
2. Approve the permissions on LinkedIn. It takes about 30 seconds, and none of your posts or settings change.
3. When you are back in Postiv, your comments start to load.

Click Maybe later if you want to do it another time. See Connect LinkedIn if you run into trouble.

Find the comments that need you

1. On the left, you see your recent posts, each with its comment count. Use All or Unanswered to filter, and Newest or Oldest to sort.
2. A post with comments waiting shows a count such as "3 unanswered". Click the count to open that post with only its unanswered comments.
3. On the right, read the comments. Filter them with All, Unanswered or Answered, each with a count.
4. Click Refresh comments to pull the latest from LinkedIn. Postiv also syncs on its own, and shows Syncing comments while it does.

When no post has unanswered comments left, the Unanswered filter shows All caught up.

Reply to a comment

1. Click Reply on the comment. A chip appears above the box: "Replying to" and the person's name.
2. Write your reply, or click Suggest to get a draft (see the next section).
3. If you have more than one profile or company page, choose which one replies in the menu after "as". Replies are posted as that profile.
4. Optional extras: Tag a person or company, Attach image, or GIF (search GIPHY).
5. Click Send. The comment is marked Replied.

Like when replying is switched on by default. It also likes the comment you answer. Untick it if you would rather not.

Comments that need no answer, such as a thank-you emoji, can be cleared with No reply needed. They drop out of your unanswered count and show a No reply needed tag.

You can also react to a comment. Use the reaction button on it to give a Like, Celebrate, Love, Insightful, Support or Funny.

Get a reply suggestion in your tone

1. Click Suggest. Postiv writes a reply to that comment. Edit it before you send.
2. To change how it sounds, click Reply style (it shows the current one) and pick a tone:
   • Professional: clear and considered. This is the default.
   • Friendly: warm and approachable.
   • Casual: relaxed and conversational.
   • Custom: your own instructions.
3. For Custom, describe the tone, length and phrases to avoid, up to 2,000 characters, and click Save instructions. For example: "Write in a warm, direct tone. Use 2 sentences."

Suggestions draw on the profile you are replying as, your Foundation, your Knowledge and your recent posts. Your tone choice is remembered in this browser for each profile. Custom instructions are saved to the profile and shared with everyone who replies as it.

Tips

• Answer within the first hours. Early replies keep the conversation going and help the post travel.
• Add a question to your reply. It invites a second comment.
• Use the suggestion as a first draft. A line of your own makes it sound like you.
• Tag the person when you reply to a group of comments so they see your answer.

Common questions

Why is my inbox empty?

Postiv shows your recent posts with their comment counts. If you have not posted lately or nobody has commented, there is nothing to answer. If you expected comments, click Refresh comments.

Why do I see "Comments are unavailable right now"?

LinkedIn did not return the comments. Click Refresh comments to retry, and check that your LinkedIn connection is healthy. See LinkedIn disconnected or expired.

Who sees my replies?

They are normal LinkedIn replies, posted as the profile you picked, so everyone who can see the post can see them.