Women Are Changing Their Gender to “Male” on LinkedIn — And the Algorithm Is Exposing Its Bias in Real Time

LinkedIn likes to position itself as the world’s “professional meritocracy.”
But this week, women across the platform proved something alarming: merit alone does not guarantee visibility, masculinity does.

In a bold social experiment, women professionals changed their gender to “male” on LinkedIn. What happened next was not a coincidence. It was evidence.

Engagement skyrocketed.
Comments multiplied.
Reach exploded overnight.

If anyone ever doubted gender bias on LinkedIn or the existence of algorithmic discrimination, this experiment has turned suspicion into measurable proof. The platform’s algorithm appears far more eager to amplify male-coded profiles than female ones.

But while the evidence is powerful, the method raises serious concerns.

Are Women Proving Bias—or Training the Algorithm to Ignore Them?

Let’s be honest: this trend is painful. Women already battle systemic barriers in workplaces, leadership roles, and online spaces. Now, even digital platforms—supposedly neutral—seem to reward women only when they pretend not to be women.

And here’s the chilling part:
If women keep adopting masculine markers for visibility, they may be reinforcing the very algorithmic bias they’re trying to expose.

By presenting themselves as “male,” women risk:

signalling that feminine communication lacks value
diluting the diversity LinkedIn should amplify
normalising the idea that women must adapt to digital inequality
losing the authentic tone, empathy, and nuance that define their voice

This is not a harmless experiment. It’s a wake-up call.

Women Respond: “I’m Not Changing My Gender to Please an Algorithm.”

Journalist Shamita Iyer asks the most critical question:
“What is the aim? To force LinkedIn to change—or to spark a viral trend women feel pressured to join?”
She refuses to edit her identity for reach:
“I’m keeping my voice, tone, and gender. I like them,whether the algorithm does or not.”

Dr. Prachi Thakur echoes the sentiment:
“I will not change my gender whatsoever. That would mean reinforcing the algorithm.”

Their stance reflects what many women professionals feel: visibility shouldn’t require self-erasure.

There Is a Better Strategy: Women Amplifying Women

Rachael, whose post triggered this debate, offers a solution rooted in solidarity rather than distortion:
“Find ten women’s posts every day, follow, engage, amplify.”

This is not gaming the system.
This is reshaping it.

Imagine thousands boosting women’s voices daily. LinkedIn’s algorithm will have no choice but to evolve.

LinkedIn Must Answer for This

The burden cannot fall entirely on women.
It is time for LinkedIn to confront this gendered visibility gap and address its algorithmic bias against women.

Because women should not have to become men to be heard.

The future of digital equality depends on platforms that recognise authentic voices, not masculine defaults.