If you’re a serious film fan, chances are you use Letterboxd, and maybe you even own a blog as well writing about the films you watch.
And if you have a film blog, Letterboxd is free distribution most bloggers completely waste.
You should treat it like a search platform with built-in film audiences.
And yes – you can get reviews ranking and pulling people into your ecosystem.
The Mindset Shift
Letterboxd rewards:
- early reviews
- useful reviews
- reviews people engage with
Not just “funny one-liners.”
If your goal is traffic:
Make someone think
Make someone agree or argue
Make someone want more of your writing
That’s it.
Review Films Early
Timing matters.
Try and focus on:
- opening week releases
- festival buzz films
- streaming releases day 1
Because then you’re with fewer high-effort reviews.
If you wait 3 months, you’re buried under thousands of reviews.
You don’t need to be first, but you need to be early enough to get visibility while engagement is hot.
Write Reviews That Are Actually Useful (Not Just Reactions)
Most reviews on Letterboxd fall into:
- jokes
- memes
- 2-sentence reactions
Try this instead:
Hook (1–2 lines)
Clear opinion fast.
Core Takeaway
What worked / what didn’t / who it’s for.
Specific Observations
Scenes, tone, pacing, acting, themes.
Closing Thought
Who should watch this and why.
Make it valuable.
Use Keywords Without Making It Obvious
Letterboxd still has discoverability mechanics, so naturally include:
- genre terms
- comparison films
- director style references
- audience type
Example:
Not:
“This was cool.”
More like:
“If you like slow-burn psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators…”
Because then, you’re helping:
- readers
- internal search
- Google sometimes (indirectly)
Optimize the First 3 Lines Like Crazy
Because that’s what people see first.
If the opening is weak:
No likes.
No comments.
No profile clicks.
Focus on:
- strong opinion
- clear stance
- curiosity
Build a Recognizable Voice (This Matters More Than SEO)
Letterboxd is personality-driven.
If people recognize your tone:
They follow.
They like.
They engage.
And engagement pushes reviews higher in visibility.
Cross-Bridge to Your Blog (Without Spamming Links)
This is where most people mess up.
If you drop raw links everywhere, you look like a marketer, not a film fan.
Instead:
- expand ideas fully on my blog
- reference deeper analysis in my bio
- build curiosity instead of forcing clicks
If your Letterboxd review feels complete, people trust you.
Then they will explore.
Engage Fast After Posting
The first few hours matter, so if someone comments, make sure you reply.
If someone likes, check their profile.
Early engagement helps visibility loops.
Letterboxd is still a social platform under the hood.
Pick Strategic Films (Not Just Personal Favorites)
Mix it up:
- new releases
- cult classics
- currently trending streaming titles
- films getting social buzz
You don’t need to chase trends, but ignoring them kills growth.
Stay Consistent (Even When Reviews Flop)
Some reviews get traction, while some won’t.
That’s normal.
Momentum on Letterboxd is cumulative.
You’re building:
- profile authority
- follower familiarity
- engagement history
Treat Letterboxd as Top-of-Funnel – Not the Final Destination
Your goal should not be: “Get 500 likes.”
Your goal should be:
> Become recognizable
> Become trusted
> Become searchable as a reviewer
Traffic follows authority, because you actually don’t need:
- huge followers
- viral reviews
- influencer status
You need:
- early positioning
- useful writing
- consistent presence
That’s it.
