LinkedIn is a popular social media platform used primarily for professional networking and career development. Many companies and organizations maintain Company Pages on LinkedIn to share content, connect with professionals in their industry, and attract potential customers or employees.
While individual users have the ability to block other members on LinkedIn, there has been some debate around whether Company Pages can also block users from viewing their content or interacting with their page. In this article, we’ll explore whether or not blocking is possible for Company Pages on LinkedIn and look at some of the considerations around managing interactions on these pages.
Can Company Pages Technically Block Users?
The short answer is yes, Company Pages on LinkedIn have the ability to block individual users. While this capability is not promoted or made obvious within the interface, there is a process that allows page admins to prevent specific LinkedIn members from being able to view, comment on, or interact with their Company Page.
Here’s an overview of how blocking works for Company Pages on LinkedIn:
Accessing Blocking Capabilities
To access the blocking capabilities, a Company Page admin must:
- Go to the Company Page configuration under “Admin Tools”
- Select “Preferences”
- Choose “Restricted Viewers” to reveal the blocking settings
From here, the admin can enter the profile URL or name of any LinkedIn member they wish to block. Once added to the restricted viewers list, that member will no longer be able to view posts, comments, or any other activity from that Company Page.
Effects of Blocking
When an individual is blocked from a Company Page on LinkedIn, it prevents them from:
- Viewing any posts made by that page
- Commenting on or reacting to page posts
- Messaging the page privately
- Following or interacting with the page in any way
Essentially, it removes their access and hides the page content from their view. The blocking is invisible to the blocked user – they are simply unable to view or find the Company Page anymore.
Considerations and Limitations
While technically possible, there are some limitations and downsides for Company Pages utilizing LinkedIn’s blocking capabilities:
- Blocking is “all or nothing” – admins cannot selectively limit interactions
- There is no notification to the blocked user
- Scaling to mass blocking would be difficult
- Blocking could be perceived as limiting transparency
- Comments/posts made prior to blocking are still visible
- The blocked user could still interact anonymously
As a result, blocking tends to be used sparingly in most cases. But the capability exists for Company Pages that want to restrict specific individuals.
Why Would a Company Page Block Someone?
There are a few scenarios where a Company Page admin on LinkedIn may want to block a particular user from viewing and interacting with their page:
1. Removing Harassing or Abusive Users
One of the more common reasons to block someone would be if they are repeatedly harassing your Company Page or posting abusive comments. Blocking them is quicker and easier than constantly deleting and reporting their inappropriate content.
2. Anonymous “Troll” Accounts
Similarly, blocking may be used if someone is anonymously trolling your Company Page using a fake account set up just to post inflammatory remarks. This can help reduce unwanted negativity from unknown sources.
3. Former Disgruntled Employees
In some cases, former employees who had a negative experience may frequently post criticism or try to undermine the Company Page. Blocking their personal account could prevent this targeted negativity.
4. Hiding Company Page from Spam
Some companies want to limit access to their Company Page only to their target audience or existing customers. Blocking spam accounts or unknown members could help reduce unwanted traffic.
5. Competitive Intelligence
In rare cases, a company may wish to block a competitor’s account from viewing strategic content they post on their Company Page.
However, there are often better approaches than outright blocking for dealing with many of these situations.
Better Approaches Than Blocking on LinkedIn
For Company Pages looking to manage interactions or limit unwanted activity, there are typically better approaches than completely blocking users:
Moderate Comments
Moderating comments allows administrators to review and selectively remove inappropriate or irrelevant remarks while still allowing that user to participate constructively.
Filter Language
LinkedIn’s auto-moderation capabilities can automatically flag and filter out comments with offensive language, no blocking required.
Respond Politely
Addressing critical comments professionally can build goodwill and reduce future negativity.
Alter Page Visibility
Making your Company Page private so only approved followers can view content avoids blocking anyone.
Remove Tagging Ability
If a former employee is disgruntled, removing the ability for them to tag your Company Page on posts can prevent unwanted mentions.
The key is addressing the underlying issues constructively rather than just blocking the symptom. While still possible, outright blocking of LinkedIn members should be a rare last resort for Company Pages.
Conclusion
In summary, Company Pages on LinkedIn do have the technical capability to block individual users from viewing or interacting with their page. However, it is not promoted or commonly used in most cases. Blocking can appear passive aggressive compared to constructive engagement.
Company Pages would be wise to explore alternative methods like moderation, filtering, and professional interaction before considering outright blocking members that cause issues. But for severe cases like harassment or fake accounts, blocking remains an option to restrict unwanted activity.
Though not ideal, blocking users is sometimes necessary. But proceeding thoughtfully and addressing root causes will lead to better long-term results for Company Pages looking to manage their LinkedIn interactions.