Quick Answer
It is possible to recover a deleted LinkedIn account within 30 days after deletion. LinkedIn keeps deleted accounts active for 30 days before permanently deleting them. To recover your account within 30 days:
- Go to LinkedIn.com and click “Join now”
- Enter your email address previously associated with your deleted account
- Click on “Recover account” on the next page
- Follow the instructions to verify your identity and reset your password
If it has been over 30 days since you deleted your account, unfortunately it is no longer possible to recover or reinstate the account. You will have to create a brand new account and start over.
Recovering a Recently Deleted LinkedIn Account
LinkedIn’s account deletion policy provides a 30 day window where deleted accounts can be recovered before they are permanently removed from LinkedIn’s system. This gives users a chance to reverse their decision if they change their mind or deleted their account accidentally.
Here are the steps to recover your LinkedIn account within 30 days of deletion:
- Go to LinkedIn.com and click on “Join now” to start the sign up process for a new account.
- When prompted to enter your email address, provide the email that was associated with the LinkedIn account you want to recover.
- On the next page, LinkedIn will recognize that an account with this email was recently deleted. You will see a message saying “It looks like you have an account to recover”
- Click on “Recover account” and continue through the prompts to verify your identity.
- LinkedIn will ask you to confirm some basic information to prove you are the account owner. This may include verifying phone numbers, addresses, current positions, etc.
- Once your identity is confirmed, you will be able to reset your password and recover access to your previously deleted account.
The key things to keep in mind when recovering a deleted LinkedIn account are:
- Act within 30 days of deletion. After 30 days the account is gone forever.
- Use the original email address associated with the deleted account.
- Verify your identity fully when prompted.
- Reset your password to regain access.
As long as you go through this recovery process within 30 days and confirm your identity correctly, you should be able to fully reinstate your deleted LinkedIn account.
What to Do if It’s Been Over 30 Days
If it has been more than 30 days since you deleted your LinkedIn account, unfortunately the window for recovery has closed. LinkedIn automatically and permanently deletes all closed accounts after 30 days. This is to protect users’ privacy when they indicate they no longer want their account.
Some things to keep in mind if you find yourself in this situation:
- You will have to start a brand new LinkedIn account from scratch using a new email address.
- Your previous connections are gone. You will have to search for and add them again.
- Your old profile, connections, messages, posts, etc. are all deleted and cannot be retrieved.
- You cannot reinstate your old customized URL or username.
While this can be frustrating and inconvenient, the 30 day deletion policy is industry standard and designed to protect users once they choose to close an account.
If you want immediate and permanent deletion without a recovery window, you can request account erasure through LinkedIn’s privacy form. But keep in mind account erasure is irreversible.
Best Practices for Account Recovery
To make sure you can recover your account if needed, follow these best practices:
- Only delete your account if absolutely necessary. Deactivating is reversible.
- Note the exact deletion date so you know your 30 day window.
- Have proof of identity ready in case it is needed to verify.
- Use a recoverable email address that you will still have access to.
- Know key account details like associated phone numbers.
- Request an account download so you have data if the account cannot be recovered.
Following these tips will maximize your ability to reinstate your account if you change your mind after deleting.
What Happens When You Delete a LinkedIn Account
When you delete your LinkedIn account, here is what happens behind the scenes:
- Your profile is immediately removed from search results and becomes inaccessible to other users.
- You are logged out of LinkedIn across all devices.
- Your connections, data, messages, etc. are marked for deletion but still recoverable for 30 days.
- After 30 days, your data and account are permanently purged from LinkedIn’s servers.
- Your old username and custom URL are released and made available to other members.
- Third-party apps connected through LinkedIn’s API lose access to your account data.
So for 30 days, it’s almost like your account is deactivated – data is preserved but inaccessible. After 30 days though, permanent deletion kicks in.
Keep this behind-the-scenes process in mind as you decide whether to delete your account. And act quickly if you change your mind so you can recover the account before 30 days is up!
Reasons You May Want to Delete Your LinkedIn Account
There are a few common reasons people choose to delete their LinkedIn account, including:
- Job searching on LinkedIn but not getting results
- Feeling overwhelmed by notifications and emails from LinkedIn
- Wanting to take a break from social media and professional networking
- Concerns over privacy settings and how data is used
- Having multiple outdated LinkedIn profiles you no longer need
- Changing careers and wanting a fresh start
- Preparing for a career change or return to school
Any major career transition can prompt people to delete their LinkedIn account with the intention of building a new profile.
Others simply feel overwhelmed by the messaging and information overload that can come with LinkedIn’s notifications. Taking a break can feel like the right move.
And some users worry about how LinkedIn uses their data, so they preemptively delete their accounts.
LinkedIn Account Deletion Considerations
However, there are some downsides to be aware of before deleting your LinkedIn account:
| Downside | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Lose connections | Your network of professional contacts will be erased unless you reconnect with each one individually. |
| Disappear from search | Deleting the account removes your name and profile from LinkedIn search results. |
| Experience gap | An employment gap can form on paper since you no longer have a public professional profile. |
| Lost content | Posts, updates, articles, and media you published on LinkedIn will be deleted. |
| New account | You’ll have to build your profile and connections from scratch if you return to LinkedIn. |
These potential consequences are worth factoring into your decision to delete your account. Having a plan to mitigate them can help.
Alternatives to Closing Your LinkedIn Account
Because re-establishing a LinkedIn presence from scratch can be tedious, first consider these alternatives before fully deleting your account:
Deactivate Account Temporarily
Instead of permanently deleting your account, you can temporarily deactivate it. This removes your profile from view but preserves all data. Reactivation is quick and your profile will be unchanged. This makes it easy to take a break from LinkedIn without losing connections or content.
Revamp Profile for Career Change
If you are changing careers or industries, you may be tempted to delete your current profile. Instead, modify it to align with your new professional goals. You can keep your connections intact while presenting your new brand.
Adjust Notifications
To manage the emails and notifications from LinkedIn, visit account settings and turn off or limit non-essential alerts. This reduces the feeling of information overload.
Strengthen Privacy Settings
Limit public visibility into your profile and activity. Use privacy settings to control what’s viewable by the wider LinkedIn community vs just your direct connections.
Remove Old Profiles
If you have multiple outdated profiles from previous stages of your career, you can request LinkedIn remove those without deleting your current account. Contact customer service for help merging and removing any unneeded profiles.
How to Permanently Delete Your LinkedIn Account
If you are set on removing your LinkedIn presence entirely, use these steps to permanently delete your account:
- Log into your LinkedIn account on desktop.
- In the top right Profile icon, go to Settings & Privacy.
- Select the Account preferences tab.
- Click on “Close your account” at the bottom of the page.
- Select “Continue” to start the account closure process.
- Choose a reason for leaving from the dropdown menu.
- Enter your account password to confirm your identity.
- Select “Close Account.”
Once you complete these steps, your account will be deactivated for 30 days then deleted. Reach out to customer support right away if you change your mind!
Conclusion
While permanently deleting your LinkedIn account is an option, it’s best to be cautious before taking that drastic step. LinkedIn can be valuable for professional networking and career development for many people.
If you need a break from the platform, a temporary deactivation is reversible. And if you change careers, you can reshape your existing profile rather than starting totally over.
But if you do decide to close your account, be sure to do it within 30 days of deletion if you want to recover it. Beyond that window, account recovery is unfortunately not possible. By understanding LinkedIn’s account deletion policies, you can make the most informed choice based on your situation.
