How to find and navigate LinkedIn Groups: a beginner's guide

What are LinkedIn Groups and why should you care?

If you're a small business owner juggling multiple marketing tasks with limited time and budget, LinkedIn Groups might be the networking goldmine you've been overlooking. Think of them as online communities where professionals with common goals gather to share insights, ask questions, and build meaningful business relationships.

Unlike the main LinkedIn feed where your content might get lost amongst millions of posts, groups offer a focused environment where your voice can be heard by exactly the right people. For small businesses, this means direct access to potential customers, partners, and industry experts without the need to connect or advertise to them.

Where to find the Groups section on LinkedIn

The first step to unlocking LinkedIn groups is knowing where to find them. LinkedIn has made this straightforward, but the location might not be immediately obvious if you're new to the platform.

On your LinkedIn homepage, look at the left-hand sidebar. You'll find "Groups" listed below your profile information and above the "Events" and "Hashtags" sections. If you're a member of several groups already, you might see "Show more" option to expand the full list.

For quick access in future, bookmark this direct link: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/. This takes you straight to your Groups homepage, saving you the navigation steps each time you want to check your group activities.

How to access LinkedIn Groups on desktop

Once you've located the Groups section, accessing your groups is simple. Here's the step-by-step process:

Method 1: From your homepage

1. Log into your LinkedIn account and go to your homepage
2. Look at the left pane of your screen
3. Click on "Groups" in the sidebar
4. If you're a member of many groups, click "Show more" to see the complete list
5. Select the group you'd like to access by clicking the group name

Method 2: Direct navigation

1. Navigate directly to linkedin.com/groups/
2. This takes you to your Groups homepage
3. View all your groups in one place
4. Access group management tools if you're an admin

The Groups homepage shows you all your joined groups, pending requests, and gives you options to discover new groups or create your own.

How to access LinkedIn Groups on mobile

Mobile access to LinkedIn Groups is equally straightforward, though the interface differs slightly from desktop. Here's how to navigate groups on your mobile device:

1. Open the LinkedIn mobile app
2. Tap your profile picture in the top-left corner
3. Scroll down and tap "Groups" in the left pane
4. Select the group you want to access by tapping the group's name

The mobile interface is optimised for quick interactions, making it easy to check group discussions, respond to posts, and engage with your community whilst on the go. This is particularly valuable for busy small business owners who need to stay connected between meetings or during travel.

How to search for and join relevant groups

Finding the right groups for your business is crucial for maximising your networking efforts. LinkedIn's search functionality makes this process straightforward, even for beginners.

Using LinkedIn's search bar

1. Go to LinkedIn's main search bar at the top of any page
2. Type keywords related to your industry or interests
3. Click on the "Groups" filter to narrow results to groups only
4. Browse through the results to find relevant groups
5. Click "Request to join" on groups that align with your business goals

Advanced search techniques

LinkedIn has enhanced its search capabilities in 2025. You can now use Boolean search operators to find more specific groups:

• Use quotation marks for exact phrases: "Digital Marketing"
• Use AND to combine keywords: Marketing AND "Small Business"
• Use OR for alternative terms: Entrepreneur OR "Business Owner"

For example, if you run a small accounting firm, search for "Accounting AND SME" or "Bookkeeping OR Finance" to find groups with your target audience.

Understanding different types of LinkedIn Groups in 2025

LinkedIn offers several types of groups, each serving different purposes. Understanding these differences helps you choose the most appropriate groups for your business needs.

Public groups

• Appear in LinkedIn search results
• Visible on your profile under "Interests"
• Anyone can view posts, even non-LinkedIn users
• Best for: Building public thought leadership and visibility

Private groups

• Require approval to join
• Only members can see group discussions
• More exclusive networking opportunities
• Best for: In-depth industry discussions and closer networking

Private unlisted groups

• Don't appear in search results for non-members
• Not visible on your LinkedIn profile
• Access only through direct invitation or link
• Best for: Confidential industry discussions or company-specific groups

Best practices for small business owners

Successfully using LinkedIn Groups requires more than just joining and hoping for the best. Here are proven strategies tailored for small business owners with limited time and resources.

Choose quality over quantity

Rather than joining dozens of groups, focus on 5-10 highly relevant, active groups where your ideal customers and partners spend time. Quality engagement in fewer groups yields better results than sporadic participation in many.

Follow the 80/20 rule

Spend 80% of your time providing value (answering questions, sharing insights, offering help) and only 20% promoting your business. This builds trust and credibility before you make any sales pitches.

Warm up your presence

When joining a new group, spend your first month observing and contributing without asking for anything. Like and comment on existing posts, share relevant insights, and establish yourself as a helpful community member before promoting your services.

Respect group rules and etiquette

Each group has specific rules set by administrators. Read these carefully and follow them strictly. Common rules include:

• No direct sales pitches in posts
• Share original content only
• Keep discussions professional and on-topic
• Use proper grammar and formatting

New LinkedIn Groups features in 2025

LinkedIn has introduced several enhancements to Groups functionality in 2025, making them more valuable for business networking and lead generation.

Enhanced group analytics

Group administrators now have access to detailed analytics showing member engagement, post performance, and growth trends. This helps business owners running their own groups understand what content resonates with their community.

Improved mobile experience

The mobile Groups interface has been streamlined for better usability, with features like voice messages (up to one minute long) now available for group communications. This makes it easier to engage with your network whilst managing other business responsibilities.

Group leaderboards and gamification

LinkedIn has introduced leaderboard features for some groups, encouraging more active participation through friendly competition. This can help increase your visibility within your target communities.

Enhanced search and filtering

Finding relevant groups has become easier with improved search filters and AI-powered recommendations based on your profile, connections, and interests.

Common mistakes to avoid

Learning from others' mistakes saves time and prevents damage to your professional reputation. Here are the most common pitfalls small business owners encounter with LinkedIn Groups.

Joining inactive groups

Before requesting to join a group, check the recent activity. If the most recent posts are weeks or months old, or if posts receive no engagement, it's likely a dead group. Focus your energy on active communities instead.

Immediate self-promotion

Nothing marks you as a spammer faster than joining a group and immediately posting about your services. Build relationships first, provide value consistently, and let people discover your expertise naturally.

Ignoring mobile optimisation

Many group members access LinkedIn primarily through mobile devices. Ensure your posts and comments are easily readable on smaller screens with proper formatting and concise language.

Neglecting to engage with others' content

Groups are communities, not broadcasting platforms. Regularly engage with other members' posts through thoughtful comments and genuine interactions. This reciprocity builds stronger professional relationships.

Your next steps

Now that you understand how to navigate LinkedIn Groups, it's time to put this knowledge into practice. Here's your action plan for the next 30 days:

Week 1: Research and join

1. Identify 3-5 keywords relevant to your business and target audience
2. Search for groups using these keywords
3. Evaluate group activity levels and member quality
4. Request to join 5-7 highly relevant, active groups

Week 2: Observe and learn

1. Read group rules and guidelines for each joined group
2. Observe posting patterns and successful content types
3. Note key contributors and thought leaders
4. Begin liking and sharing valuable posts

Week 3: Start engaging

1. Leave thoughtful comments on relevant posts
2. Ask genuine questions about industry challenges
3. Share helpful resources (not your own content initially)
4. Connect with interesting group members

Week 4: Contribute value

1. Create your first group post offering help or insights
2. Respond promptly to comments on your posts
3. Continue engaging with others' content regularly
4. Evaluate which groups provide the best networking opportunities