LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with over 850 million members worldwide. Making connections is a key part of using LinkedIn, as it allows you to grow your professional network and keep in touch with colleagues, clients, and potential business partners. However, you may wish to remove a connection at times, which raises the question – can someone see if you remove them as a connection on LinkedIn?
In short, yes they can. When you remove a connection on LinkedIn, your former connection will be notified of this through an automated message from LinkedIn. They will receive an email or notification saying “[Your name] is no longer connected to you on LinkedIn.”
There is no way to secretly remove a connection without them being notified. LinkedIn automatically generates this message to alert people when their network changes. However, while they are notified of the removal, they will not be told why you disconnected. The message does not include an explanation for the removal.
In this article, we’ll provide a detailed overview explaining:
What Happens When You Remove a LinkedIn Connection
When you decide to remove someone from your LinkedIn network and click the “Remove Connection” button on their profile, here is a step-by-step look at what happens:
1. You Receive a Confirmation Prompt
First, LinkedIn will prompt you to confirm that you do want to remove the connection. This is to prevent people removing connections accidentally. You’ll need to click “Yes” to verify you intend to proceed with disconnecting.
2. The Connection Receives a Notification
As soon as you confirm the removal, your former connection will be sent an automated message by LinkedIn informing them of the change. As mentioned, this message will simply say “[Your name] is no longer connected to you on LinkedIn.”
3. Your Profiles are No Longer Visible to Each Other
Once removed, you and your former connection will no longer be able to view each other’s full profiles. Your profiles will be entirely inaccessible to one another. The only information visible will be bare basics like name, photo, current position, and industry.
4. You Disappear From Each Other’s Connections List
Upon removing the connection, you will both also disappear from each other’s “My Connections” list. This reinforces that you are no longer linked professionally on LinkedIn.
5. You Can No Longer Message or Contact Each Other
Without a connection, you will not be able to directly message or contact one another on LinkedIn. The “Send Message” link will disappear from the former connection’s profile. Communicating and sharing information via LinkedIn will no longer be possible.
6. Any Shared Groups or Content Become Inaccessible
In most cases, when a connection is removed on LinkedIn, you will also immediately leave any shared LinkedIn Groups where you were both members. Additionally, any content you shared with that specific connection will no longer be visible to them.
So in summary, removing a LinkedIn connection severs the professional relationship entirely on the platform. All aspects of the connection will be removed, and your profiles will become hidden. This helps prevent awkward continued interactions after disconnecting.
Why You Might Want to Remove a LinkedIn Connection
There are a variety of reasons why you may wish to remove a connection from your LinkedIn network, such as:
- The person has left the company where you used to work together
- You no longer work in the same industry or role that connected you
- The connection was made for a specific short-term project that has ended
- You do not know the person well enough to continue endorsing their skills
- The person has changed jobs or roles and you no longer share professional interests
- You want to keep your professional and personal lives more separate
- The connection has become inactive on LinkedIn long-term
- The person has moved to a different city or country with no relevance to your network
- You are reconsidering your number of connections and want to tighten your network
- The person has exhibited unprofessional or inappropriate conduct
Essentially, it boils down to no longer sharing a relevant professional connection. When this happens, it can be prudent to remove the LinkedIn connection to focus on more meaningful relationships.
How to Politely Remove a LinkedIn Connection
While removing connections is a normal maintenance task on LinkedIn, we still recommend doing so tactfully. Here are some tips for politely removing a LinkedIn connection:
Do it Privately
As mentioned, they will be automatically notified when you remove them. But there is no need to make a public announcement about it or remove them in front of others. Take the action discreetly in private.
Don’t Make it Personal
If they ask you about it later, explain the removal was a professional decision – not based on personal feelings or an interpersonal issue. Keep it focused on your career network goals.
Remove Them Cleanly
Do not begin ignoring their messages or delay removing them for weeks. Once you decide to disconnect, do it promptly and clearly. Leave no ambiguity about severing the professional ties.
Consider Providing Context
You are not obligated to explain the removal, but a brief context can be considerate if you have a respectful relationship. For example, noting you are focusing your network more narrowly as your role has changed.
Customize the Default Message (Optional)
When removing connections in bulk, LinkedIn allows you to customize the default automated notification message. You can briefly explain the reason for removal, such as your network priorities shifting.
In summary, be direct but thoughtful when removing LinkedIn connections. Handle it professionally just as you would an in-person relationship change. This preserves your reputation and avoids burning bridges unnecessarily.
How Former Connections May React
Generally, having a connection removed does not provoke an extreme reaction from most professionals on LinkedIn. But some people may respond in a variety of ways, such as:
- With understanding if the removal makes logical sense
- By simply accepting it and moving on with no response
- By sending you a message asking politely why you removed them
- With confusion if they do not know why the change happened
- By feeling slightly insulted at the abrupt disconnection
- With indifference and removing you as a connection also
As with any relationship change, emotions and reactions can vary. But in most cases, the other person is unlikely to retaliate or react with anger, especially if you disconnect professionally and maturely. If they ask about it, treat it as an opportunity for open communication, not confrontation.
Maintaining a Tidy LinkedIn Network
Part of effectively managing your presence on LinkedIn involves periodically reviewing your connections and removing contacts that no longer make sense. Here are some best practices for maintaining a tidy, relevant network:
- Set calendar reminders to evaluate your connections twice per year
- Note connections who you haven’t interacted with in over a year
- Consider removing connections from past jobs who you are unlikely to work with again
- Evaluate whether you can still provide value to each other professionally
- Remove contacts who are no longer active on LinkedIn
- Disconnect when major career or industry changes happen on either side
The goal is not to remove connections arbitrarily or often. But periodically pruning ineffective connections helps keep your LinkedIn network focused. A smaller, targeted network is also easier to maintain and engage with meaningfully.
Conclusion
In summary, when removing a LinkedIn connection, the other user is automatically notified of the change. They will receive a message saying you disconnected. While this may feel awkward, it is proper professional etiquette to inform others when severing a business relationship. With care and maturity, removing connections does not have to be overly confrontational. It can actually strengthen your ability to build relationships aligned to your current career path. Maintaining a purposeful and up-to-date network leads to more productive connections and better positions you for career success.
