LinkedIn Text Formatting: Bold, Italic, Strikethrough & Special Characters

You've seen those LinkedIn posts with 𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗱 and 𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘤 text and wondered how they did it. LinkedIn doesn't have a formatting toolbar like Word or Google Docs, but there's a workaround.

The Unicode Trick

LinkedIn doesn't support markdown (no bold or italic syntax). Instead, creators use special Unicode characters that look like formatted text.

These aren't actually "bold" or "italic"-they're completely different characters from the Unicode symbol library that happen to look like styled versions of letters.

Text Styles You Can Use:

How to Format Your Text:

Option 1: Use a Text Formatter Tool

The easiest method:

1. Go to a LinkedIn text formatter (like HookTide's text formatter tool)
2. Type your text
3. Click the style you want (bold, italic, etc.)
4. Copy the formatted text
5. Paste into LinkedIn

Option 2: Unicode Character Websites

Sites like YayText or LingoJam offer similar functionality:

1. Enter your text
2. See multiple style options
3. Copy the one you want
4. Paste into LinkedIn

Option 3: Copy-Paste Character Sets

For occasional use, you can find and copy individual Unicode characters:

• Bold: 𝗔𝗕𝗖𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗚𝗛𝗜𝗝𝗞𝗟𝗠𝗡𝗢𝗣𝗤𝗥𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗩𝗪𝗫𝗬𝗭
• Italic: 𝘈𝘉𝘊𝘋𝘌𝘍𝘎𝘏𝘐𝘑𝘒𝘓𝘔𝘕𝘖𝘗𝘘𝘙𝘚𝘛𝘜𝘝𝘞𝘟𝘠𝘡

Best Practices for Formatting:

Do:

• Use bold for key points and takeaways
• Use italic for emphasis or quotes
• Use formatting sparingly (1-3 instances per post)
• Test how it looks on mobile before posting

Don't:

• Format entire paragraphs (hard to read)
• Mix too many styles in one post
• Use it in every post (loses impact)
• Rely on it for headlines (your hook should work without formatting)

Emoji Usage on LinkedIn:

Emojis work natively on LinkedIn-no special tools needed.

Effective emoji use:

• ✅ Bullet point alternatives
• 🎯 Drawing attention to key points
• 📌 Marking important information
• ➡️ Creating visual flow
• 🔥 Adding energy (sparingly)

Emoji mistakes:

• Using 5+ emojis per post (looks unprofessional)
• Starting every line with an emoji (distracting)
• Using emojis that don't match your brand voice
• Replacing words with emojis (confusing)

Line Breaks and Spacing:

For better readability:

• One thought per line
• Blank line between paragraphs
• Short paragraphs (2-3 lines max)

To force a line break in LinkedIn:

• Simply press Enter/Return twice for a paragraph break
• Use a period on a blank line if LinkedIn removes your spacing

Special Characters for Structure:

Beyond formatting, these characters help structure posts:

Accessibility Note:

Screen readers may struggle with Unicode formatted text. The characters are read differently than regular letters. If accessibility is important for your audience, use formatting very sparingly or stick to emojis and standard text (Edelman Trust Barometer, 2025).

Format your text instantly

Use our free LinkedIn Text Formatter to add bold, italic, and special characters to your posts with one click-no copying from external sites needed.

"The LinkedIn algorithm rewards conversation, not broadcasting. The more genuine replies your post generates, the wider it travels." - Richard van der Blom, LinkedIn Algorithm Researcher, Author of the annual LinkedIn Algorithm Report

Related resources:

• Try it live: LinkedIn Text Formatter
• Post formatting tips: LinkedIn Post Formatting Tips
• Character limits: LinkedIn Character Limits Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't LinkedIn support regular bold/italic formatting?

LinkedIn intentionally keeps the posting interface simple. Unlike rich text editors, LinkedIn's composer is plain text only. This keeps posts looking consistent across the platform and reduces complexity. The Unicode workaround is a user-discovered hack, not an official feature.

Do formatted posts get less reach in the algorithm?

There's no evidence that Unicode formatting affects algorithmic reach. However, overusing formatting can make posts harder to read, which reduces engagement-and engagement directly influences reach (Richard van der Blom, 2025).

Will Unicode text work in LinkedIn messages and comments?

Yes. The same Unicode characters work in LinkedIn posts, comments, messages, and even your profile headline or About section. They're just text characters that display everywhere (LinkedIn Help Center, 2025).