Akhia’s insightful events and webinars for communicators

LinkedIn as an Authority Engine

Written by Akhia | Mar 30, 2026 6:34:27 PM

We recently held a webinar on something that doesn't get enough attention in manufacturing marketing circles — how LinkedIn has quietly become one of the primary places AI tools look when building a picture of who the credible players are in an industry.

The numbers behind it are worth knowing:

94% of B2B buyers now use AI or LLM tools during the purchasing process.

60% of search interactions end without a website.

15% of Google AI Mode answers cite LinkedIn content directly.

What that means: buyers are forming opinions about who to shortlist before they ever visit your site, fill out a form, or talk to anyone on your team. The research phase has moved — and most manufacturers haven't moved with it.

View the webinar to learn more and hear from our industry 'insighters' April Wonsick and Matt McCorry.