How to Delete a Connection on LinkedIn: A Definitive Guide

Deleting a connection on LinkedIn is a straightforward process. Simply navigate to the profile of the person you wish to remove, click the “More” button, and then select “Remove connection” from the dropdown menu.

Mastering Your LinkedIn Network: The Art of Connection Management

LinkedIn, the world’s premier professional networking platform, thrives on connections. But let’s face it, sometimes you need to prune your digital garden. Maybe a colleague switched industries, a contact became a spammer, or perhaps you simply want to refine your network. Knowing how to delete a connection is crucial for maintaining a relevant and valuable LinkedIn presence. This article provides a detailed, step-by-step guide, along with frequently asked questions, to help you effectively manage your LinkedIn connections.

The Direct Approach: Removing a Connection Step-by-Step

Here’s the no-nonsense guide to severing a LinkedIn connection:

1. Locate the Profile: Use the search bar at the top of the screen to find the profile of the person you wish to disconnect from. Alternatively, navigate to the “My Network” section to browse your existing connections.

2. Access the “More” Options: Once you’re on the individual’s profile, look for the “More” button. It’s usually represented by three dots. Click on this button to reveal a dropdown menu.

3. Choose “Remove connection”: From the dropdown menu, select “Remove connection“.

4. Confirm Your Decision: LinkedIn will display a confirmation message asking if you’re sure you want to remove the connection. Click “Remove” to finalize the process.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully removed a connection from your LinkedIn network. The person will no longer be a direct connection, and you will no longer see their updates in your feed unless you are following them. They will also not be notified that you have removed them.

Advanced Techniques for Connection Management

Beyond the basic method, there are a few nuances to consider when managing your LinkedIn connections.

Unfollowing a Connection vs. Removing a Connection

It’s essential to understand the difference between unfollowing and removing a connection. Unfollowing someone simply hides their updates from your feed. You remain connected, but their activity won’t clutter your timeline. To unfollow someone, locate the “Unfollow” option within their profile, usually accessible via the same “More” button. Removing a connection, on the other hand, completely severs the link between you.

Blocking a User

If you’re dealing with unwanted contact, spam, or harassment, blocking a user is the most effective course of action. Blocking prevents the person from viewing your profile, sending you messages, or seeing your content. To block someone, navigate to their profile, click the “More” button, and select “Report/Block“. Follow the prompts to complete the blocking process.

Removing Multiple Connections

While LinkedIn doesn’t offer a bulk delete feature directly, you can streamline the process by accessing your connections list and removing individuals one after the other. Regularly reviewing your network and removing irrelevant connections can significantly improve the quality of your LinkedIn experience.

Why Remove a Connection? Valid Reasons to Prune Your Network

There are many perfectly legitimate reasons to remove a connection on LinkedIn. Here are a few common scenarios:

• Irrelevant Content: If a connection consistently posts content that is unrelated to your industry or interests, it might be time to remove them.
• Spam or Inappropriate Behavior: Any connection engaging in spamming, harassment, or other inappropriate behavior should be removed immediately.
• Career Change: If a colleague switches to a completely different field and your connection is no longer mutually beneficial, removing them is a valid option.
• Decluttering: Sometimes, simply decluttering your network to focus on more relevant connections is a wise decision.
• Privacy Concerns: You might choose to remove connections to limit your profile visibility to a more targeted audience.

LinkedIn Etiquette: Should You Inform Someone Before Removing Them?

Generally, it’s not necessary to inform someone before removing them on LinkedIn. LinkedIn doesn’t notify the other person when they are removed from your network. However, if you have a close professional relationship with the individual, you might consider sending a brief message explaining your decision, especially if you plan to reconnect later under different circumstances. In most cases, though, a silent removal is perfectly acceptable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Deleting LinkedIn Connections

Here are 12 frequently asked questions about deleting connections on LinkedIn, providing further clarity on the process and its implications:

1. Does LinkedIn notify someone when I remove them as a connection?

No. LinkedIn does not notify users when they are removed from someone’s network. The removal is silent.

2. Can someone see if I’ve viewed their profile after I’ve removed them as a connection?

Potentially. If your profile visibility setting is set to show your name and headline, the person will still see that you viewed their profile, even after you’ve disconnected. If you are using private mode then your view will be anonymous.

3. What happens to endorsements and recommendations when I remove a connection?

Endorsements remain intact. Recommendations generally stay as well, but they may be hidden depending on the reviewer’s settings and LinkedIn’s algorithms.

4. If I remove a connection, can they still message me?

No. Once you remove a connection, they cannot directly message you unless you are both members of the same LinkedIn Group or if they have LinkedIn Recruiter.

5. Can I reconnect with someone after removing them?

Yes. You can send a new connection request to someone you’ve previously removed from your network. However, keep in mind they may not accept your request.

6. Is there a limit to how many connections I can remove per day?

LinkedIn doesn’t publicly state a specific limit, but excessively removing connections in a short period may trigger a warning or temporary account restriction. It’s best to remove connections gradually.

7. Can I remove a connection from the LinkedIn mobile app?

Yes. The process for removing a connection on the LinkedIn mobile app is similar to the desktop version. Navigate to the profile, tap the “More” icon, and select “Remove connection“.

8. If I block someone, does it automatically remove them as a connection?

Yes. Blocking someone automatically removes them as a connection. Furthermore, it prevents them from contacting you or viewing your profile (depending on their privacy settings).

9. Can I see a list of people who have removed me as a connection?

No. LinkedIn doesn’t provide a feature to see who has removed you from their network.

10. What’s the difference between “following” and being a “connection”?

A connection signifies a two-way relationship where both individuals are connected in each other’s network. Following someone means you see their updates in your feed, but they may not necessarily be a connection.

11. Should I remove connections who haven’t been active on LinkedIn in a long time?

It’s a matter of personal preference. Inactive profiles contribute very little to your network’s value. Removing them can improve the relevance of your feed and search results, but some prefer to leave them.

12. What happens to shared connections if I remove someone?

Removing a connection doesn’t affect your mutual connections. They will still be connected to both you and the person you removed. Only the direct connection between you and the removed individual is severed.