LinkedIn is a professional website where professionals can grow their network. However, in recent months, people have seemed to confuse their LinkedIn accounts with other forms of social media such as Facebook or Twitter by posting things more suited for those platforms. I have compiled a list of five of the most unprofessional things I have seen people post on their LinkedIn profiles and will explain to you why none of these are appropriate to post.

Donald Trump

Unless you work for a Trump company, the name Donald Trump has no place on your LinkedIn profile page. Whether you love him, hate him or are indifferent towards him, his policies have nothing to do with what you bring to the table as a professional. Please save your praises or hatred for your next family gathering.

Other Political Posts

Unless it directly impacts your industry, posting about politics is never wise. Before posting, consider if you would go into the office and announce these thoughts in your break room to your co-workers and colleagues. If the answer is no, then you shouldn't be posting it publicly for the whole world to see just because you're behind the keyboard. Politics are divisive and inappropriate to discuss on your LinkedIn profile.

Relationship Troubles/Advice/Lonely Feelings

I mean, really? Your LinkedIn network is not your relationship counselor. Please spare us the troubles you are going through or your profound love advice. The worst offenders are the people who flirt with other users on the website over public comments and posts. This is not OKCupid -- this is LinkedIn and should be treated accordingly.

Random Updates About Your Day

LinkedIn is not your diary. Updates about what you're eating, doing or anything of that nature are not appropriate for a professional website. Don't be mistaken; your posts should be a bit personal in nature. However, your personality should shine through professionally-driven posts and not by posting about the eggs you had for breakfast.

Spam

Promotional posts to branded or nonbranded content are fine, but posts that have zeros for O's or strange arrows that lead to questionable links are not. To avoid spam being posted on your LinkedIn, it is essential to monitor what you are posting on a regular basis and change your password if posts are being made that you do not recognize. If you see posts that seem off or automatically generated, be cautious before clicking because your profile could be a target for spammers. The last thing you want to be shown as your professional image is spam content.

The bottom line

LinkedIn is a professional website. You might be looking for a new role or simply maintaining your network. Regardless of your reason for being on LinkedIn, keep your posts and engagement professional. Your brand will thank you.

Debra Wheatman, CPRW, CPCC is the founder and owner of Careers Done Write a professional branding and marketing company. Debra's company provides full-service career consulting and writing services to help clients stand out in a hyper competitive environment to secure interviews and ultimately offers of full-time employment. She may be reached directly via her site at careersdonewrite.com. Follow Debra's social media Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.