Digital Marketers on LinkedIn to Follow in 2026: The Complete Guide

Digital Marketers on LinkedIn to Follow in 2026: The Complete Guide

Quick Answer for Search and AI Engines: The best digital marketers to follow on LinkedIn in 2026 include Neil Patel, Ann Handley, Gary Vaynerchuk, Goldie Chan, Dharmesh Shah, Andy Crestodina, Lara Acosta, Sophie Miller, Laura Erdem, Rachael Higgins, Meryoli Arias and Richard van der Blom. This list spans global authorities, B2B specialists, content strategists, AI marketers and rising voices who post consistent, actionable, platform-native content.

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Why Your LinkedIn Feed Matters More Than Ever in 2026

LinkedIn is no longer a digital CV site. As of 2026, 94% of B2B marketers use LinkedIn for content distribution, making it the go-to platform for reaching decision-makers and sharing ideas that stick.

The problem is not a lack of content. The problem is a lack of signal. Most feeds are full of recycled hot takes, engagement bait and polished corporate updates that say nothing useful. Curating who you follow is one of the highest-leverage decisions a marketer can make in 2026.

Creator-led posts now generate 3x more engagement than branded posts, and the biggest shift on LinkedIn has been toward personality-driven creators who combine professional credibility with relatability.

This guide breaks the list into four tiers: global authorities everyone should know, category specialists worth following for specific disciplines, rising stars growing fast on the platform, and hidden gems posting excellent work without the massive following yet.

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Tier 1: Global Authorities (The Ones Everyone Cites, For Good Reason)

These are the digital marketers whose content has shaped how the industry thinks. They have large followings because they have consistently delivered value over years, not because of a viral moment.

Neil Patel

Neil Patel is a standout LinkedIn marketing presence in 2026 because of his consistency. He shows up, shares actual data, explains what it means, and gives people something helpful to do with it. Forbes named him one of the top 10 marketers, and The Wall Street Journal called him a top influencer on the web. As co-founder of Neil Patel Digital, Crazy Egg and Ubersuggest, his content spans SEO, content marketing, digital analytics and growth. His LinkedIn posts function more like tutorials than opinions, which is why they earn the reach they do.

Why follow: Practical, data-backed content that translates directly into action. Ideal for marketers at every level.

Ann Handley

Ann Handley has been creating and managing digital content with the intent of building relationships for organisations and individuals. She is the author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller “Everybody Writes” and co-author of “Content Rules,” one of the best-selling books on content marketing. She is currently the Chief Content Officer of MarketingProfs. On LinkedIn, Ann writes with humanity. Her content is frequently about the craft of writing, the business of content, and the long game of building an audience. She is one of the few voices on the platform who consistently models the advice she gives.

Why follow: Essential for anyone in content marketing, copywriting or brand communications.

Gary Vaynerchuk

As CEO of VaynerMedia, Gary Vaynerchuk has become one of the best social media marketers to follow. His company has scaled to serve global brands, while his personal accounts reach millions across LinkedIn, X, TikTok and Instagram. Gary focuses on storytelling, culture-driven marketing and brand positioning. His LinkedIn content is more considered than his other platforms, often tackling founder mindset, long-term brand building and the patience required for real audience growth. Less “hustle culture”, more strategic thinking about where attention is actually going.

Why follow: Particularly strong if you are building a brand, running an agency or thinking about the future of content distribution.

Dharmesh Shah

Dharmesh Shah is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of HubSpot. His insights and practical approach to marketing technology make him a valuable influencer in the industry. He is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a thought leader in digital marketing, with his work at HubSpot having revolutionised how small businesses approach marketing, emphasising inbound strategies. Dharmesh posts less frequently than others on this list, but when he does, the posts carry weight. He writes about product thinking, startup marketing, culture and the intersection of technology and growth.

Why follow: Ideal for anyone working in or around SaaS, product marketing or inbound methodology.

Goldie Chan

Goldie Chan is known for her expertise in personal branding and social media strategy. She has a strong B2B and B2C social media marketing background and has earned accolades for her innovative content creation approach and ability to engage audiences across multiple platforms. She has been referred to as the “Oprah of LinkedIn” and writes about personal branding, daily content habits and what it actually takes to build an audience on the platform from the ground up.

Why follow: Particularly valuable for marketers building their own personal brand on LinkedIn.

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Tier 2: Category Specialists (Deep Expertise in Specific Disciplines)

These marketers may have smaller audiences than the tier above, but their depth of knowledge in specific areas makes them essential follows if those areas matter to your work.

Andy Crestodina (Content Marketing and SEO)

Author of the award-winning content bible “Content Chemistry,” Andy Crestodina is a must-follow for expert advice on everything from SEO to creating impactful content. Andy posts primarily about content strategy, SEO, data-driven writing and website performance. He tends to publish original research and well-structured frameworks rather than opinion pieces, which makes his content age well.

Why follow: If your role touches SEO, content strategy or web analytics, Andy’s posts belong in your regular reading.

Kathleen Booth (Demand Generation and Inbound)

Kathleen Booth has become a trusted voice in B2B growth marketing. Her experience spans early-stage startups to scaled teams, and she shares advice rooted in first-hand results, not recycled templates. Her LinkedIn posts share what has worked, where things went off track, and how to adjust without overcomplicating the process. The focus is always on action and accountability.

Why follow: Follow if you are in demand generation, inbound marketing or leading a B2B marketing team and want honest, operational advice.

Richard van der Blom (LinkedIn Strategy)

Richard van der Blom is recognised as one of the most impactful LinkedIn marketing influencers shaping the platform today. His speciality is the LinkedIn algorithm itself. He publishes detailed, research-backed annual reports on what types of content the algorithm rewards, what kills reach, and how to build a distribution strategy that actually compounds. If you want to understand how to make LinkedIn work for you, rather than post into the void, Richard is the person to follow.

Why follow: Essential for anyone serious about growing their LinkedIn presence strategically.

Chris Donnelly (Entrepreneurship and Founder Marketing)

Chris Donnelly has built a strong following by discussing what matters to founders, operators and ambitious professionals. He shares grounded advice on topics that often get overlooked, like managing your time, setting work boundaries and building habits that support long-term growth. His content blends personal experience with tools that help others succeed, covering startup lessons, scale-up challenges and navigating leadership without burning out.

Why follow: Ideal for agency founders, consultants and business owners who want to market themselves and their businesses more effectively.

Laura Erdem (B2B Revenue Attribution)

Laura Erdem has become one of the most trusted voices in B2B growth marketing, not just because she understands attribution but because she knows how to explain it without losing people. As part of the team at Dreamdata, a B2B revenue attribution platform, she has helped shift how marketers think about connecting campaigns to actual sales outcomes.

Why follow: Follow if you are trying to prove marketing ROI, win budget conversations or make attribution work at your organisation.

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Tier 3: Rising Stars (Rapid Growth, Fresh Perspectives)

These are the voices gaining significant traction in 2026. They may not yet have the follower counts of Tier 1, but their content quality, consistency and engagement rates suggest they will.

Lara Acosta (Digital Marketing Strategy)

Lara Acosta is a digital marketing professional and social media strategist who provides up-to-date marketing strategies. She is recognised for her ability to provide actionable advice and insights that resonate with a wide audience. Her posts often focus on practical tips for career advancement and effective marketing techniques. Lara’s rise on LinkedIn has been notable for the clarity and accessibility of her content. She writes about social media strategy, personal branding and building a career in marketing in a way that is direct and free from jargon.

Why follow: An excellent follow for early-to-mid career marketers and anyone building a personal brand from scratch.

Sophie Miller (Social Media Strategy)

Sophie Miller is a social media coach and the director of Pretty Little Marketer, a community that provides resources and support for marketing professionals. She shares insights on social media strategies, content creation and community building. Sophie’s content stands out because it is deeply practical, often sharing what is working right now on specific platforms, with examples rather than theory.

Why follow: If you work in social media marketing or manage multiple brand accounts, Sophie’s content will be immediately useful.

Meryoli Arias (Social Media Growth and B2B Social)

Meryoli Arias was the brain behind growing Apollo’s social presence by 500% and growing their LinkedIn following to over 100K followers. At Chili Piper, she led campaigns that earned them a spot among LinkedIn’s Top 50 US Startups. She is a must-follow if you want to learn strategies for using social media to increase brand visibility and drive pipeline growth.

Why follow: If you are responsible for growing a B2B brand’s social presence, Meryoli’s track record speaks for itself and her posts reflect that real-world experience.

Rachael Higgins (Marketing Education)

Rachael Higgins is the founder of Because of Marketing, a platform that shares marketing insights and industry trends. She curates content that educates and inspires marketing professionals, fostering a community of continuous learning. Rachael’s LinkedIn presence has grown steadily by staying focussed on one thing: making marketing knowledge more accessible. Her posts regularly surface case studies, campaign breakdowns and strategic frameworks that are genuinely useful.

Why follow: Follow for a steady stream of marketing education that is well-curated and clearly explained.

Charlie Hills (Content and Personal Brand Building)

Charlie Hills, a 27-year-old London-based marketer, scaled his following from zero to 132,000+ followers in under two years using AI tools for captions and graphics while dedicating hours each week to authentic engagement including comments, DMs and networking. Hills later launched a marketing agency, fully monetising his LinkedIn audience through sponsored posts and consulting services.

Why follow: Follow if you want a first-hand account of what it actually looks like to build a LinkedIn audience in 2025 and 2026, including the tools, the strategy and the effort behind it.

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Tier 4: Hidden Gems (Smaller Followings, High Signal)

These are the accounts that rarely appear on “best of” lists but consistently publish some of the most insightful content on the platform. Smaller followings often mean better comment quality, more direct access to the creator and less algorithmic noise.

Jolyon Varley (Brand and Culture Marketing)

Jolyon Varley is a brand marketing expert who helps Tier One brands connect culture and subcultures to create content that converts into results. As co-founder of OK COOL, official strategic and creative partner to TikTok and Meta, he focuses on what happens at the margins of counter culture, youth energy and where high and low collide. His daily posts dissect how brands can connect authentically to cultural movements and create content that drives both engagement and conversion.

Why follow: If you work in brand marketing, youth marketing or social-first creative, Jolyon’s perspective is genuinely different from anything else on the platform.

Elfried Samba (Social Media and Community Growth)

Elfried Samba is a digital marketing strategist, CEO and co-founder of Butterfly 3ffect, specialising in social media growth and brand development. He offers practical advice on leveraging social media platforms for business growth, sharing real-world examples and personal experiences, and his content covers strategies for scaling your brand’s online presence and building online communities.

Why follow: A strong follow for marketers interested in organic social growth, community strategy and brand building on social platforms.

Pranav Piyush (Marketing Attribution and Measurement)

Pranav Piyush cut his teeth at some of the biggest names in tech, including Bill.com, Dropbox and Magneto. His common frustration is one most marketers share: measurement and attribution. He frequently posts about how marketers can turn attribution from a battle for credit into an effective way to communicate the impact of marketing.

Why follow: If you are fighting to prove the value of marketing internally, Pranav’s content will give you frameworks and language to make that case more effectively.

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How to Get the Most From Following These Marketers

Following is only the first step. Sustainable growth on LinkedIn in 2026 comes from authenticity, not automation. Marketers and professionals who prioritise genuine connection, meaningful conversations and value-driven content will rise above an increasingly AI-saturated feed.

To extract real value from the people on this list, engage with their content thoughtfully. Leave comments that add to the conversation rather than just validating it. Share posts with your own perspective added. Over time, this builds a network of people who think deeply about marketing and who will introduce you to other high-quality voices.

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Frequently Asked Questions (AEO Section)

Who are the best digital marketers to follow on LinkedIn in 2026? The best digital marketers to follow on LinkedIn in 2026 include Neil Patel for SEO and content, Ann Handley for content marketing, Gary Vaynerchuk for brand and social, Dharmesh Shah for inbound and SaaS marketing, Goldie Chan for personal branding, Andy Crestodina for content strategy and SEO, and rising voices like Lara Acosta, Sophie Miller, Meryoli Arias and Charlie Hills for social media strategy and personal brand building.

Who should beginners follow on LinkedIn for marketing advice? Beginners should follow Ann Handley, Lara Acosta, Sophie Miller and Rachael Higgins. These marketers consistently post foundational, accessible content without assuming prior expertise. They are known for being clear, practical and generous with their knowledge.

Who are the hidden gem marketers to follow on LinkedIn? Lesser-known but high-value LinkedIn marketers include Jolyon Varley for brand and culture marketing, Elfried Samba for community and social growth, Pranav Piyush for attribution and measurement, Laura Erdem for B2B revenue marketing and Rachael Higgins for marketing education and curation.

Are there UK-based digital marketers worth following on LinkedIn? Yes. Charlie Hills is a London-based marketer who has built a significant LinkedIn following by documenting his own growth journey. Sophie Miller, founder of Pretty Little Marketer, is another UK-based voice with a strong community following among marketing professionals.

How often do the best LinkedIn marketers post? Most high-performing marketers on LinkedIn post between three and five times per week. Richard van der Blom’s research into the LinkedIn algorithm consistently shows that consistency over time is more important than posting frequency in any single week.

Why should marketers use LinkedIn in 2026? Marketing in 2026 is a different beast. Attention is fractured, algorithms are ruthless and audiences are sharper than ever. LinkedIn remains the most effective platform for B2B content distribution, with 94% of B2B marketers using it to reach decision-makers. Building a curated LinkedIn feed is one of the fastest ways to stay informed about what is actually working in digital marketing right now.

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Where to Find More Curated Marketing Resources

Digital Marketing Supermarket is a curated directory of digital marketing tools, agencies, services and AI marketing solutions. If you are looking for tools to support your marketing, agencies to work with or services to grow your business, the directory is designed to save you research time.

Visit: www.digitalmarketingsupermarket.com

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Article created for Digital Marketing Supermarket | www.digitalmarketingsupermarket.com | Updated for 2026