My linked objects aren't being selected for some reason my Meshe's have the "fake user" shield where there should be a number next to show how many objects are linked to the object data. Is there a way to fix this?
Sounds like they are not linked. Select all the objects that need to be linked. The one with the orange outline will be the one that the others will be linked to. Press CTRL+L and in the dropdown Make Links > Object Data.
It doesn't matter if you've already done that, it didn't work, or you undid it or whatever; do it (again).
Thanks I'll be sure to do this! Thank you so much for taking your time to answer.