Is it Better to Block or Remove Someone on LinkedIn?
If you're reading this, you've likely invested a lot of time and effort into building relationships on LinkedIn. But what happens when those connections no longer serve you? Maybe you've grown apart from someone, or perhaps you're dealing with a competitor who's getting a little too aggressive. Whatever the reason, understanding how to manage your connections on LinkedIn is crucial.
Understanding the importance of managing unwanted connections
When it comes to dealing with unwanted connections, you've got two options: removing them or blocking them. But do you know the difference between these two features? And more importantly, do you know when to use each? Managing unwanted connections is vital to maintaining a healthy and productive online presence so it's important to understand both.
Managing unwanted connections on LinkedIn
When it comes to managing unwanted connections on LinkedIn, you have two options: removing a connection or blocking someone. Both have their implications and potential consequences, so it's essential to understand the processes and outcomes before taking action.
Removing a connection
Removing a connection is a relatively straightforward process. You can do it without even visiting their profile. The good news is that LinkedIn won't notify the person when you remove them as a connection. However, be aware that they may still show up in your "More Suggestions for You" section in My Network. If you've removed someone and they send you an invite again, you can simply ignore it.
You might want to remove a connection because they aren't adding anything to your network, or because they just don't fit within your target audience anymore. When you put up a LinkedIn post, the algorithm shows it to a percentage of your audience. If they engage, it shows it to the next segment, until it runs out of engagement. So having relevant people in your network is vital. (And having The Lime One can help).
Blocking someone
Blocking someone on LinkedIn is a more drastic measure. When you block someone, neither of you will have access to each other's profiles, messaging, or shared content. Again, LinkedIn won't notify the person when you block them. But, if you want to take a step back without fully blocking someone, you can choose to "hide" by going into your privacy settings and becoming an "Anonymous LinkedIn Member".
Key takeaways
- Removing a connection doesn't mean they'll disappear from your network entirely – they might still show up in suggestions.
- Blocking someone means cutting off all ties, so use this option wisely.
Conclusion
Managing unwanted connections on LinkedIn is a crucial aspect of maintaining a healthy and productive online presence. By understanding the differences between removing and blocking, you can make informed decisions about how to handle unwanted connections. Remember to reflect on your own experiences and consider the implications of each option before taking action. With this knowledge, you can protect your online presence and reputation, and continue to build strong relationships on LinkedIn.
About the Author
Charli is a co-founder and marketing director of thelime.one and a regular contributor to LinkedIn.
The author worked with AI assistance on this article. (We're a startup and we need to get our stuff out there!) We're working our way through the most popular pieces and rewriting fully with our human team.