How do I fix permanently restricted on LinkedIn?

Having a LinkedIn account become permanently restricted can be extremely frustrating. LinkedIn is an important platform for establishing professional connections and finding job opportunities. If your account has been permanently limited, it likely means you violated LinkedIn’s User Agreement policies in some way. While it can be challenging to get a restricted account reinstated, there are some steps you can take to appeal the restriction and hopefully regain access to your account.

Why LinkedIn Permanently Restricts Accounts

LinkedIn states that they will permanently restrict accounts that repeatedly violate their User Agreement or Community Guidelines. Some of the main reasons accounts get permanently restricted include:

• Spamming or aggressively promoting products and services
• Scraping data or profiles from LinkedIn
• Creating fake profiles or impersonating other users
• Harassing other members through unwanted messages or posts
• Violating LinkedIn’s guidelines around intellectual property, data privacy, or acceptable use

Essentially, if you engage in any behavior that compromises the integrity of the LinkedIn community, they can impose permanent restrictions as a consequence. The goal is to maintain a professional platform that connects authentic individuals.

Appealing a Permanent Restriction on LinkedIn

If your account has been permanently restricted, you will see a notice explaining the reason when you try to log in. You will not be able to access your profile or any of its content.

The first step is to submit an appeal to LinkedIn. To do this:

1. Go to the LinkedIn Help Center page on restricted accounts.
2. Click “appeal this decision” on the right side of the page.
3. Fill out the online appeal form detailing why you believe your account was restricted in error.
4. Click submit and wait for a response from LinkedIn (can take up to 2 weeks).

In your appeal, be honest about why you may have violated LinkedIn’s policies, express remorse, and emphasize that you want the opportunity to use LinkedIn professionally going forward. Providing as much context and details as possible can help demonstrate that your account should be reinstated.

Steps to Take While Waiting for a Response on Your Appeal

Here are some productive steps you can take while waiting to hear back on your account appeal:

• Review LinkedIn’s User Agreement and Community Guidelines again so you understand what types of behaviors led to the restriction.
• Consider creating a new LinkedIn account and build your professional connections again while following all policies.
• If your appeal is denied, request feedback on why and determine if you can take corrective actions.
• Focus on other professional networking platforms and job search sites during this time.
• If you need access to your LinkedIn data, request an archive of your account through their Data Export process.

The waiting period can be frustrating, but take time to reflect on how you can positively engage with LinkedIn if your account is reinstated. Think about how to prevent the same violation from happening again.

What to Do If Your LinkedIn Appeal is Denied

If LinkedIn denies your appeal, all hope is not lost. Here are some additional steps to try:

1. Request clarification from LinkedIn on exactly why the appeal was denied and ask if there are any other actions you can take.
2. Double check that you have tried appealing through all available forms on LinkedIn. Sometimes trying a different appeals process yields different results.
3. Submit a new appeal form emphasizing that you have learned from your mistakes, reviewed the policies, and will comply going forward.
4. Communicate with LinkedIn through other channels like their social media accounts or customer service contacts, explaining that your account restriction severely impacts your career.

While repeated appeals and contacts may seem excessive, if your account is vital to your professional networking it is worth pursuing all options. Be polite and reasonable in your communications with LinkedIn representatives.

Can I Create a New LinkedIn Account After Being Permanently Restricted?

LinkedIn’s policy states that if your account has been permanently restricted, you cannot simply create a new account. They will likely identify your new account based on data and connections associated with your old profile and quickly restrict the new account as well.

Some users report success with creating a new account by:

• Using a completely different email and phone number not associated with your old account
• Avoiding re-adding connections from your previous profile
• Lying low and not aggressively adding connections or posting content at first
• Using a different photo, job history, and profile details

However, there is a risk your new account may still get flagged and banned by LinkedIn quickly. Tread carefully if trying this method and make an effort to follow all policies.

Other Ways to Use LinkedIn With a Restricted Account

If you have exhausted your options for appealing the restriction or creating a new account, there may still be ways to utilize LinkedIn:

• View profiles and job postings while logged out – You can still access much of LinkedIn’s content without an account.
• Use an alternate LinkedIn account – If you have another existing account, use that to connect with your professional network.
• Connect on other social platforms – Engage with connections through Twitter, Facebook Groups, Slack channels, etc.
• Focus your networking locally – Attend in-person career fairs, conferences, association events, etc. in your industry.
• Leverage your personal brand and connections – Get references and referrals through colleagues who are on LinkedIn.

While having a restricted LinkedIn account is a setback, it does not have to be the end of your professional networking. Get creative in finding alternative methods to achieve similar benefits.

Reconsidering Your Use of LinkedIn if Reinstated

If you are fortunate enough to have your LinkedIn account restriction overturned, take the opportunity to reinvent how you engage on the platform. Here are some ways to have success on LinkedIn while avoiding future issues:

• Keep posts relevant and professional – Do not use LinkedIn like a social media site for random thoughts. Keep conversations focused on career-oriented topics.
• Engage meaningfully with your network – Avoid spamming connection requests or generic messages. Nurture two-way relationships.
• Showcase achievements appropriately – Be proud of displaying certifications, awards, volunteer work, etc. But do so in a polished, non-boastful manner.
• Post and share content strategically – Actively participate in discussions where you can provide valuable perspective to others.
• Follow company pages relevant to your field – This helps keep you abreast of industry developments, career opportunities, and events.

The key is finding a balance between actively engaging on LinkedIn and thoughtfully curating the content you post and promote. Don’t take the privilege of access for granted after an account restriction.

Conclusion

Having your LinkedIn account permanently restricted can derail professional networking and career advancement. But by thoughtfully appealing the decision and emphasizing your desire to follow LinkedIn’s policies, many find their accounts eventually reinstated. Be patient and persistent while exploring alternate networking methods in the meantime. If you regain access, approach LinkedIn with a renewed sense of purpose and consideration.