Does deactivating LinkedIn page delete it?

LinkedIn has become an essential platform for professionals to build their network and showcase their skills and experience. With over 800 million users, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network. As such, having a strong LinkedIn presence can be invaluable in advancing one’s career. However, there may come a time when someone wishes to take a break from LinkedIn or delete their account altogether. A common question that arises is: does deactivating your LinkedIn page delete it?

What happens when you deactivate your LinkedIn account?

Deactivating your LinkedIn account is different from permanently deleting it. When you deactivate your account, your profile, connections, and content you’ve posted will be hidden but not deleted. Essentially, your account will be placed in a dormant state but can be reactivated at any time by logging back in.

Here’s what happens when you deactivate your LinkedIn account:

• Your profile will not be visible to other members.
• You will not show up in search results on LinkedIn.
• You will stop receiving notifications and emails from LinkedIn.
• You will no longer be suggested to others as a potential connection.
• You will not be able to interact with other members by liking/commenting on posts or messaging connections.

However, all your connections, content, and account details remain intact in LinkedIn’s system. You can reactivate your account by simply logging back in using your username and password. Your profile and network will be restored as it was before deactivation.

Benefits of deactivating your LinkedIn account

Here are some benefits of deactivating instead of permanently deleting your LinkedIn account:

• Your profile and connections are preserved if you want to reactivate your account later.
• Deactivation is reversible, giving you the flexibility to take a break from LinkedIn while keeping open the option to come back.
• You can avoid being contacted for career opportunities during your break from LinkedIn.
• It allows you to temporarily pause your LinkedIn activity during major life events, such as maternity leave or a career break.
• You can take a mental break from job searching and networking on the platform.

In summary, deactivating gives you more control and flexibility than permanently deleting your account. It enables you to step away from LinkedIn temporarily while maintaining your network and presence for your eventual return.

How to deactivate your LinkedIn account

Deactivating your LinkedIn account is simple and straightforward. Here are the steps:

1. Log into your LinkedIn account and go to your profile page.
2. Click on the “More” dropdown menu at the top and select “Settings & Privacy”.
3. Under the “Account preferences” section, click on “Closing your LinkedIn account”.
4. On the “Close your account” page, click the button to “Deactivate” your account.
5. Enter your account password when prompted to confirm your identity.
6. Click the “Deactivate” button to confirm deactivation. Your account will now be deactivated.

Once you complete these steps, your profile and content will no longer be visible on LinkedIn. To reactivate your account, simply log back in with your username and password. The deactivation process is designed to be simple for members to control their LinkedIn presence.

How long does account deactivation last on LinkedIn?

When you deactivate your LinkedIn account, it can remain dormant for up to 12 months before being permanently deleted. Here are some key points on how long account deactivation lasts:

• LinkedIn keeps deactivated accounts for a maximum of 12 months.
• If you do not reactivate your account within 12 months, LinkedIn will automatically delete the account permanently.
• You can reactive your account at any point by logging back in within the 12-month deactivation period.
• Once the 12-month period expires, your account cannot be recovered or restored.
• You will receive reminder emails from LinkedIn as the 12-month expiration approaches.

In effect, deactivating your account buys you a one-year inactive period before permanent removal. If you change your mind, you have 12 months to reverse the deactivation. But after one year of no activity, LinkedIn will delete the account entirely.

What happens when LinkedIn permanently deletes an account?

After 12 months of deactivation, LinkedIn will proceed to fully delete accounts marked for closure. Here is what happens when your account is permanently deleted:

• Your profile, including your name, photo, summary, experience, and other details, is erased.
• All connections you had are immediately removed.
• Any groups you belong to are disassociated from your account.
• Content you posted, such as articles, comments, endorsements, etc. is removed.
• Your inbox messages and notifications are deleted.
• Your account username and password are eliminated, so you cannot log back in.

In effect, permanent deletion erases your presence on LinkedIn. There is no way to retrieve the account or any data associated with it once fully deleted. Deleted accounts are removed from LinkedIn’s systems and database.

Reasons to permanently delete your LinkedIn account

There are several reasons you may want to permanently delete your LinkedIn account instead of temporarily deactivating it. Some common ones include:

• You are leaving the professional world entirely, for instance retiring, and have no further need for LinkedIn.
• You want a fresh start on LinkedIn without any past history or connections.
• You no longer wish to have any online professional presence or portfolio.
• You have become a freelancer or consultant under your own name and brand.
• You have serious concerns about privacy and want no professional online presence.
• You had a negative experience and wish to disassociate from LinkedIn entirely.

Permanent deletion may be the right choice if your circumstances or priorities have changed substantially since first creating your account.

How to permanently delete your LinkedIn account

To permanently delete your LinkedIn account, follow these steps:

1. Log into your LinkedIn account and go to your profile page.
2. Click on the “More” dropdown menu and select “Settings & Privacy”.
3. Under “Account preferences”, click “Closing your LinkedIn account”.
4. On the “Close your account” page, click the button to “Permanently delete my account”.
5. Select your reason for permanently deleting your account.
6. Re-enter your account password when prompted.
7. Click “Permanently delete my account”.

Once these steps are completed, your account will be scheduled for permanent deletion. LinkedIn notes it can take up to 24 hours for the actual deletion to be finalized across its systems and backups. But once done, the deletion cannot be reversed or the account restored in any way.

Conclusion

Deactivating your LinkedIn account does not delete it right away. It simply hides your profile and content temporarily. Permanent deletion only occurs if the deactivated account remains inactive for 12 consecutive months. Deactivating gives you the flexibility to take a break from LinkedIn while retaining the option to reactivate your account within a year. Permanent deletion closes your account entirely and removes your presence, which is irreversible. While deactivation may be the best approach for many, those wanting a clean break may prefer permanent deletion instead.