LinkedIn is a great platform for networking and making professional connections. However, over time you may wish to remove some connections for various reasons. Deleting connections on LinkedIn can be tricky, as you want to do it discretely without offending anyone.
Should you delete LinkedIn connections?
Here are some common reasons for deleting LinkedIn connections:
- The connection is no longer relevant to you professionally
- You do not interact with the person anymore
- You want to tidy up your network and make it more focused
- The person overshares too much personal information
- You had a falling out with the person
As you can see, there are valid reasons to remove a connection. LinkedIn is about building a professional network, so it makes sense to periodically prune connections that no longer serve that purpose.
How to delete LinkedIn connections discreetly
Here are some tips to delete LinkedIn connections without leaving a trail:
- Do it directly on LinkedIn – Don’t announce or explain that you are deleting the connection. Simply go to your connections page, select the person, and click “Remove Connection.” This will sever the link quietly.
- Don’t do it right after interacting – If you want to be subtle, don’t remove someone immediately after commenting on their post or endorsing their skills. Wait a few weeks before pruning the connection.
- Avoid public explanations – If asked about it, give a generic answer like needing to manage your network size. Don’t call out the specific person.
- Don’t do a mass deletion – Deleting many connections at once looks suspicious. Take your time and delete selectively over an extended period.
- Consider blocking instead – If you want to avoid future contact, blocking may be safer than deleting them as a connection. They won’t be notified and you can always unblock later.
Best practices for managing your network
Here are some general best practices around managing your LinkedIn connections:
- Review your connections periodically, such as every 6 months. Evaluate whether they still belong in your network.
- Aim for quality over quantity. There is no ideal number of connections. Focus on maintaining an engaged network aligned to your goals.
- Customize your settings. Adjust notifications and visibility settings to control how and when your connections interact with you.
- Use smart grouping. Organize key connections into Groups so you can share relevant posts and information with them.
- Leverage your Groups. Participate actively in a few key Groups related to your industry or interests.
How to respond if asked about removing a connection
If someone notices you deleted them as a LinkedIn connection and confronts you about it, here are some polite ways to respond:
- “I’m trying to keep my network focused on close professional contacts right now.”
- “I’m cutting back my network to people I’m engaging with regularly. I hope you understand.”
- “I’m reevaluating my LinkedIn contacts at the moment. It’s not personal, just an overall network refresh.”
- “I apologize, I should have let you know directly. I’m doing a cleanup of my social networks in general lately.”
- “I don’t mean to offend. I’m trying to streamline my LinkedIn network to be smaller and more targeted.”
The key is to keep it focused on your general networking approach rather than anything specific about the person. If needed, you can also re-connect with them later after things blow over.
When is it okay to transparently remove a connection?
In some cases, it may be acceptable to openly remove a LinkedIn connection, such as:
- The person behaved unprofessionally or inappropriately on the platform
- They circulated misleading information or false claims
- They no longer work for your company due to misconduct
- You had a significant personal or professional falling out that is fairly widely known
- You are removing former connections due to a job change or shift in career focus
Use good judgment based on the situation. Be discreet when possible, but also don’t worry about removing connections that are clearly no longer relevant or appropriate.
Pros of discreetly removing LinkedIn connections
Discreetly pruning your LinkedIn network offers these advantages:
- Avoids burning bridges unnecessarily
- Prevents embarrassing or awkward conversations
- Allows you to refine your network more freely
- Lets you focus on more active and relevant connections
- Gives you space from inactive connections graciously
Overall, a low-key approach prevents stirring up drama and lets you quietly move your network in the direction you want.
Cons of discreetly removing LinkedIn connections
Some potential drawbacks of stealthily deleting LinkedIn connections include:
- It can feel sneaky if taken too far
- You miss a chance for open communication
- The person may eventually find out anyway
- It may come across as hiding something
- You lose access to that person’s network
So use discretion – quiet removals work best for pruning dormant connections, not as a way to conceal falling-outs or unethical behavior.
Alternatives to removing connections
If you don’t want to delete someone entirely, here are a few other options:
- Mute their posts so you see less of their activity
- Unfollow them so you aren’t notified when they post
- Move them to an Acquaintance group with limited visibility
- Restrict them from seeing certain profile sections like your connections or work history
- Politely decline requests to connect on other social platforms
You can also let connections fade over time by gently responding less often or disengaging from their content.
Sample conversation if asked about a removed connection
Here is an example dialogue if someone asks you about removing them as a LinkedIn connection:
Alan: “Hey, I noticed you removed me as a connection on LinkedIn. Is everything okay?”
You: “Hi Alan. I apologize, I should have let you know directly. I’m doing an overhaul of my LinkedIn network and removing some outdated contacts. It’s not personal, I’m trying to streamline who I’m connected to on there.”
Alan: “I see. Well, please let me know if you want to connect again later once your cleanup is done.”
You: “Thanks for understanding, Alan. I’m trying to be more intentional about my professional network. I appreciate you reaching out, and I’ll be sure to keep you in mind for the future.”
Alan: “No problem! I understand wanting to manage your connections. Let’s stay in touch on other channels in the meantime.”
You: “That sounds good, thanks again for the understanding. I value our connection even if we aren’t directly linked on LinkedIn at the moment.”
The key is to emphasize that it’s a general network refresh rather than anything specific about the person. Frame it as an oversight or cleaning house rather than a deliberate slight. People are usually understanding if you approach it politely.
Conclusion
Discreetly removing LinkedIn connections can be appropriate when managing your professional network. Go about it tactfully, focus on quality over quantity, and don’t view connections as permanent forever. Periodic cleanups allow you to nurture your most relevant, active relationships on LinkedIn while gracefully pruning dormant ones. With care and some gentle communication, you can refine your network without burning bridges unnecessarily.