This tutorial will discuss WHY and HOW to remove a connection on LinkedIn.
Note that there are a number of other options to curate your LinkedIn community, including Unfollowing, Muting, Reporting and Blocking people which I will cover in other posts.
Why to remove a connection on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a powerful tool, able to help you establish your expertise, stay on your client’s radar, identify new clients and keep an eye on your competition. It allows you to network anytime, from any location and, it can be an invaluable way for potential clients to find you. All for free!
But some professionals don’t enjoy visiting LinkedIn.
When I ask them why, the number one reason I hear is that they dread going into their LinkedIn account because it is full of spammy, hyperbolic or salesy posts. If this is the case, you need to take some responsibility and whip that community into shape.
Your LinkedIn community is your own to assemble and curate. It is like a party where YOU get to invite the guests. Yes, people may try to crash your party and a few may have gotten past the door before you realized their true intentions but you have control over who gets to stay.
If your community has devolved into a party you do NOT want to attend, you should definitely consider removing some connections!
How to remove a connection on LinkedIn
Log into your account and go to the person’s profile.
Type the person’s name into the search bar, at the top of your page (in both desktop and mobile modes).
Or, if you see them in your news stream and realize you no longer want to be connected, click on their name, it will take you to their profile.
Under their name, there will be a button that says ‘MORE’ – click on that and you will see a drop down menu.
(See the image at the top of this post).
Choose ‘REMOVE CONNECTION’
What happens when you remove a connection on LinkedIn
Now, that person is no longer in your network.
They CAN still see your public posts and your profile (unless your privacy settings are tightened).
People are NOT notified when you remove the connection but if they check your profile, they WILL be able to see that they are no longer a 1st degree connection.
They MAY still be able to FOLLOW you, depending on your profile settings.
Removing a connection is best for:
- Getting rid of spammy or salesy connections who you no longer wish to engage with.
- Disconnecting without actually blocking them.
- People you don’t know well or no longer want professional ties with.
How is this different from blocking a connection on LinkedIn?
Blocking someone on LinkedIn provides an additional level of protection and allows you to prevent someone from seeing your content. Here are some reasons you may choose to block someone:
Protecting Privacy and Security
• Blocking prevents the blocked individual from viewing your profile, posts, articles, and activity.
• It stops them from being able to message you directly.
• Removes them from your connections and prevents re-connection unless you unblock them.
Avoiding Unwanted Interactions
• If someone is harassing, spamming, or contacting you in an unprofessional way, blocking cuts off communication.
• Useful for handling inappropriate comments or persistent unwanted networking requests.
Helps Manage Professional Boundaries
• You may not want certain people (competitors, former employers, etc.) to monitor your updates, network, or business activities.
• It allows you to control who has visibility into your career changes, job searches, or client announcements.
Removing Negative Influence
• If a user’s posts, tone, or engagement style are disruptive or harmful, blocking ensures they no longer appear in your feed.
• Helps maintain a healthier, more productive LinkedIn environment.
Peace of Mind
• Blocking can be a proactive way to reduce stress or discomfort online.
• For many professionals, simply knowing that someone no longer has access to their profile is reassuring.
Please click here to see my tutorial on Why and How to REPORT and BLOCK someone on LinkedIn.
NOTE: LinkedIn does not notify the person that they’ve been blocked. However, they may realize it if they search for your profile and can no longer access it.
In future posts I will cover:
Why and How to REPORT and BLOCK someone on LinkedIn
Why and How to UNFOLLOW someone on LinkedIn
Why and How to restrict your profile visibility on LinkedIn
How to MUTE conversations on LinkedIn
How to REPORT ABUSE and SPAM on LinkedIn
Do you feel like you are wasting your time on LinkedIn? Do you dread and avoid wading through your LinkedIn news stream? Give me a call to learn more about how to make the most of YOUR time on LinkedIn!
