Quick Answer
No, a person cannot tell if you block them on LinkedIn. When you block someone on LinkedIn, that person can still view your profile and see your activity updates, but they will not be notified of your updates and will be unable to directly contact you or view your connections list. LinkedIn does not notify users when they have been blocked.
Does LinkedIn notify someone if you block them?
No, LinkedIn does not send any kind of notification to a user if they have been blocked by another user. This allows the blocker to avoid any confrontational interactions with the blocked user.
If User A blocks User B on LinkedIn, User B will have no indication that they have been blocked. They will still be able to view User A’s public profile and posts, but certain interactions will be restricted without notification.
What exactly happens when you block someone on LinkedIn?
Here is an overview of what happens when you block another user on LinkedIn:
– The blocked user can still view your public profile and posts, but they will no longer receive notifications when you post updates, comment on discussions, etc.
– The blocked user will not be able to see your list of connections.
– You will no longer receive notifications about the blocked user’s activity.
– The blocked user will be unable to send you messages or connect with you. Any pending connection requests from them will be cancelled.
– The blocked user will not show up in your search results. You will not see their profile or content in feeds.
– If you are connected with the blocked user, they will no longer be visible as a connection in your network.
So in summary, blocking discreetly cuts off certain direct interactions and removes visibility of the blocked user’s activity without any notification to them.
How can you tell if someone has blocked you on LinkedIn?
While LinkedIn does not directly notify you if someone blocks you, there are some signs that may indicate you have been blocked:
Your connection request is rejected or removed
If you send a connection request to someone who has blocked you, your request will either be rejected immediately or removed from their pending requests queue without them taking action on it.
Your messages to them go unanswered
If you frequently message someone on LinkedIn but suddenly find your messages going unanswered, it may be because they have blocked you.
You can no longer see their connections or full profile
When you are blocked by someone, you will no longer be able to see their full connections list or view certain profile sections only visible to connections, like contact info.
Your comments on their posts are hidden
When you are blocked by someone, comments you make on their posts will only be visible to you and hidden from the post author.
You can no longer interact with their posts
You may notice you can no longer like, react, or comment on a certain person’s posts, which could indicate you have been blocked.
You don’t see their activity updates in your feed
If posts, comments, and other activity from someone who was frequent in your feed suddenly disappear, they may have blocked you.
So while it takes some monitoring to pick up on, there are signs you can look for to determine if someone has potentially blocked you on LinkedIn without your knowledge.
Why you should not confront someone if you think they blocked you
If you suspect someone has blocked you on LinkedIn, it’s best not to confront them about it or make direct accusations. Here are some reasons why:
- You can’t be 100% sure – There is a chance your suspicion could be incorrect.
- It can be embarrassing – Confronting someone can put you both in an uncomfortable position.
- It’s their right – LinkedIn gives users the ability to block for a reason.
- It could backfire – The blocked person may retaliate or escalate the situation.
- It’s not professional – Publicly calling out the blocking can make you look bad.
- It accomplishes nothing – The person is unlikely to unblock you if confronted.
The most diplomatic approach is to simply accept that the other person may wish to disengage from the relationship or limit contact for their own reasons. Harassing them about a potential block could make tensions worse.
How to politely ask someone if they have blocked you
If you feel it’s necessary to inquire about a possible block, keep these tips in mind to ask in a professional, tactful way:
- Ask privately – Use a private message rather than publicly calling them out.
- Be polite – A constructive tone is more likely to get a response.
- Don’t demand – Say you are “wondering” vs accusing them of blocking you.
- Explain impact – Politely detail how the lack of contact has impacted you.
- Accept if ignored – They may choose not to respond, don’t retaliate.
Here is an example message:
Hi [name], I wanted to send a quick private note because I’ve noticed we haven’t been interacting on LinkedIn lately and I’m wondering if I have possibly been blocked? If so, I would appreciate understanding why so that I can improve my conduct going forward. Either way, please let me know if there is any way I can address the situation. Thank you.
This non-confrontational approach gives the person an opportunity to respond constructively if they desire.
What to do if you think someone has blocked you unfairly
If you have politely inquired about being blocked and feel it was unfair, here are some recommended steps:
- Reflect on your past interactions – Is there anything you said or did that could have offended them?
- Ask a mutual connection to mediate – They may be able to broach the subject tactfully.
- Request feedback – If you receive feedback, listen carefully and learn from it.
- Move on professionally – Dwelling on the situation won’t change it; shift your focus.
- Adjust your approach going forward – Use the experience to improve how you interact with others.
While an unjustified block can be frustrating and hurtful, strive to handle the high road professionally for your own reputation and growth. Do not let it become a personal vendetta or grudge.
Steps to unblock someone on LinkedIn
If you choose to unblock another user on LinkedIn, it’s a simple process:
- Go to your LinkedIn Settings.
- Select the “Blocking” tab.
- Locate the user you want to unblock in your list of blocked members.
- Click the “Unblock” button next to their name.
Once unblocked, the user will regain access to view your full profile, connect with you, and interact with your posts and activity.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn does not notify users if they have been blocked, but there are signs that can indicate a block may have occurred. Confronting suspected blockers directly is not recommended, but a polite private inquiry may yield helpful feedback. If you feel blocked unfairly, handle it professionally and focus on self-improvement. Unblocking is straightforward if you change your mind later. With the right approach, blocking does not have to cause major friction and can ultimately improve your connections and network.
