LinkedIn is a popular professional networking platform used by millions of people around the world. One of the key features of LinkedIn profiles is the ability to display the number of connections a user has. However, LinkedIn does not always show the number of connections for every user profile. There are a few factors that determine whether or not the connection count is displayed.
Visibility Settings
The most common reason that connection counts may not be visible is due to a user’s visibility settings. In the account settings, users can choose whether they want their number of connections to be publicly viewable or not. By default, LinkedIn makes a user’s connections visible. However, users can opt to hide their connection count from their profile.
Some common reasons users may decide to hide their connection data include:
- Privacy concerns – Some users want to keep their professional network more private
- Appearance – Having fewer connections may look less impressive
- Harassment concerns – Highly-connected users want to avoid unwanted solicitation
So if you are viewing a profile and there is no connection count displayed, it is likely because that user has specifically chosen to keep that information private.
Account Type
Another factor that can determine if connection counts are visible is the type of LinkedIn account. There are three main tiers of LinkedIn accounts:
- Basic – Free version with core features
- Premium – Paid version with expanded features
- Sales Navigator – Paid version focused on sales leads
Only users with Premium and Sales Navigator paid account levels will be able to see the number of connections for all profiles. Users with Basic free accounts will not see connection counts.
So if you are not seeing connection numbers it may be because:
- You are using the Basic free account
- The profile you are viewing has a Basic account
Upgrading to a paid Premium account will allow you to see full connection data when available.
New Users
For brand new LinkedIn users, the connection count may not be visible at first. When someone initially creates their profile, it takes some time for LinkedIn to calculate and display the number of connections.
Therefore, users who have just signed up may not have a connection count right away. After a day or two, the calculation should be completed and connections can then be displayed if the visibility setting allows it.
Conclusions
In summary, there are three main reasons why LinkedIn profiles may not show the number of connections:
- User has turned off connection visibility in settings
- Viewer or viewed user has a Basic free account
- New user profile needs time to calculate connections
Most of the time it comes down to individual user preferences for privacy. However, viewing connections can be possible by upgrading account type or allowing time for new users. Connection counts are a core LinkedIn feature, but visibility depends on these key factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide my LinkedIn connections?
Yes, users can hide their number of connections from their profile. In the account Privacy & Settings, there is an option to select who can see your connections. The options include public, connections only, or private. Choosing private will remove the connection count from your profile.
Why did my connections disappear from my profile?
If your connection count seems to have disappeared, you may have changed your visibility setting to private without realizing it. Go to your settings and make sure “Show my connections” is set to the visibility level you want.
How many connections are good to have on LinkedIn?
There is no single ideal number of LinkedIn connections to have. The quality and relevance of your connections matter more than purely having a high quantity. 500+ connections is generally considered a large network size. A good goal is to make connections selectively with professionals who are relevant to your industry and career goals.
Should I accept every connection request I receive?
It’s generally best not to accept every connection request. Carefully evaluate requests to make sure the person is someone you want in your professional network. It’s better to grow your network selectively rather than accept each request just to increase your connection count.
How does LinkedIn count 3rd degree connections?
Your 3rd degree connections on LinkedIn are people who are connected to someone who is connected to one of your connections. So they are three steps away in the network chain. LinkedIn uses advanced algorithms to calculate the total size of your 3rd degree network.
User Studies on Displaying LinkedIn Connections
There have been some interesting studies done on the impact of publicly displaying the number of LinkedIn connections.
Study 1: Perceptions Based on Number of Connections
This study looked at how people perceive LinkedIn users differently based on their number of connections displayed. Participants were shown identical profiles except for different connection counts. The results found that profiles with more connections were viewed as more desirable for networking and hiring.
| Connections | Perception Rating |
|---|---|
| 500+ | 4.2 / 5 |
| 250-500 | 3.5 / 5 |
| 0-250 | 2.8 / 5 |
Profiles with 500+ connections scored much higher on measures of competence and likeability. This indicates there is a psychological influence to displaying more connections.
Study 2: Motivations for Hiding Connections
A survey of LinkedIn users looked at the motivations for choosing to hide connection counts. The top reasons given were:
| Reason | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Privacy concerns | 55% |
| Appearance of low count | 23% |
| Avoid solicitation | 17% |
| Other | 5% |
The majority said they preferred keeping their network more private and restricted. Only a small percentage were motivated by having what they considered a low count.
Tips for Managing LinkedIn Connections
Here are some best practices when it comes to managing your LinkedIn connections and visibility settings:
- Customize visibility based on your preferences – Make an informed choice about if you want your connections public or private
- Be selective about who you connect with – Quality over quantity, only connect with those you want in your network
- Periodically review your connections – Remove any outdated or irrelevant connections
- Use settings to manage incoming requests – Adjust to limit unwanted connection requests
- Focus on engagement over size – Interact meaningfully with your connections
Conclusion
In summary, whether or not LinkedIn shows the number of connections on a profile depends on user settings, account types, and new user profiles. Focus on building meaningful connections without getting caught up in how many you have. Carefully manage the visibility based on your own preferences and goals for networking professionally on LinkedIn.
