Introduction
Have you ever been scrolling through LinkedIn and happened to see one ad that is definitely at the top of your feed and looking pretty sure of itself?
That top spot was only for a few big players and not for the poor rest. Recently, LinkedIn made an announcement that it has changed the rules of the game.
LinkedIn has opened up reserved ads at the top of the feed to all managed advertisers, and this is a move that could possibly be a game changer for B2B companies in the areas of visibility, engagement, and ad strategy for the year 2025. If you are already running ads on LinkedIn or are planning to do so, then this update is a must-read for you.
What are LinkedIn Top-of-Feed Reserved Ads, and why have they suddenly become available for more advertisers?
Top-of-feed Reserved Ads are very expensive ad spots that get the first view in a user’s LinkedIn feed when they log in. Just think of it as a digital front-row seat.
Earlier, this spot was only for a very limited number of elite enterprise advertisers. But now LinkedIn is opening the door to all managed advertisers, which means that high-impact visibility is now accessible for the up-and-coming B2B brands.
This is in line with LinkedIn’s more significant strategy of making the LinkedIn platform more of a place for B2B advertising and also as the attention competition among advertisers is getting tougher and tougher.
How does this LinkedIn ads update change visibility and performance?
On LinkedIn, visibility is everything. If your ad is at the top of the feed, then:
• It is viewed before the organic posts.
• It attracts attention before distraction comes in.
• It results in a larger brand recall.
The early performance statistics of similar premium placements show a much more robust performance of LinkedIn ads, especially awareness, and demand-gen campaigns.
One imaginary paid media strategist puts it this way:
“If attention is currency, then top-of-feed ads are prime real estate.”
This new ad also goes hand in hand with the company’s move towards offering predictable outcomes with LinkedIn reserved ad placements, thus helping advertisers plan their campaigns with certainty.
Who qualifies as a managed advertiser on LinkedIn?
A managed advertiser is a person who usually deals directly with the LinkedIn account management team rather than running campaigns in a completely self-service manner.
This category includes:
• Medium-sized to enterprise B2B companies
• Brands which have a steady ad spend
• Advertisers who are concentrating on strategic, long-term campaigns
With this new access, more brands will be able to take advantage of LinkedIn advertising for those businesses that want premium exposure but are not huge corporations.
If you are already investing in LinkedIn ads, this might be the right time for you to get a better placement without changing your existing strategy.
How do top-of-feed ads fit into a smart B2B marketing strategy?
When utilized correctly, top-of-feed ads should not be a substitute for everything else. They will be more effective when combined with:
• Retargeting campaigns
• Thought leadership content
• Lead-gen forms
To illustrate, one can present their company using a top-of-feed ad and then gradually convert users by means of standard feed ads and messaging ads. This multi-layered method fortifies the brands selling techniques through LinkedIn and at the same time, improves the quality of conversion.
The same can also be done with aligning the ads and the content strategies that we have mentioned in our internal guide on AI-driven digital marketing strategies and our breakdown of performance marketing fundamentals.
Is this worth the cost for smaller B2B advertisers?
Let us speak frankly – reserved placements are not going to be cheap. But the mere cost should not be the only factor to determine their value.
Top-of-feed Reserved Ads are worth it if:
• Building brand recognition is a top-priority
• A major marketing campaign is being launched
• There is a need for a guaranteed, high-quality reach
For that of SaaS, consulting, education, and high-ticket B2B services, the ROI potential is strong, particularly in comparison with the standard placements that are already crowded.
As a LinkedIn campaign consultant advises:
“You need not have these ads run forever. You just need them when visibility is crucial.”
In addition to that, for deeper platform insights, you can also check the LinkedIn Ads official overview.
FAQs
Are top-of-feed Reserved Ads available for self-serve advertisers?
No, they’re currently limited to managed advertisers working with LinkedIn account teams.
Do top-of-feed ads guarantee better conversions?
They guarantee visibility, not conversions. Creative and targeting still matter.
Which campaign goals work best with these ads?
Brand awareness, product launches, and high-impact announcements perform best.
Can small B2B brands benefit from this placement?
Yes, especially if the audience is niche and deal values are high.
Is this a permanent LinkedIn ads feature?
It appears to be an ongoing expansion, not a limited-time test.
Conclusion
LinkedIn’s decision to open up top-of-feed Reserved Ads to all managed advertisers goes beyond merely being a feature update; it is, in fact, a signal. A signal that premium visibility is to become an integral part of modern B2B advertising.
If you have been searching for a quiet way to be noticed on LinkedIn.