The Connect button on LinkedIn allows you to send connection requests to other members. However, the Connect button does not appear for every LinkedIn member you view. Here are some tips on how to get the Connect button to appear so you can grow your network on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn’s Relationship Settings
The first factor that determines if you see the Connect button for another member is your relationship setting with that member. There are three possible relationship settings:
- You don’t know them
- You know them but are not connected
- You are connected to them
You will only see the Connect button for members that you don’t know or know but are not connected to. You won’t see the Connect button for connections because you are already connected!
LinkedIn’s Privacy Settings
The second factor that impacts Connect button visibility is the other member’s privacy settings. Some members adjust their privacy settings so that only certain people can send them connection requests or view their full profile.
For example, members can set their profile to only allow connection requests from people in their network or people they have imported contacts for. If you try to view the profile of someone who has restricted connection requests and you don’t meet the criteria, you won’t see the Connect button.
Common Privacy Settings that Remove the Connect Button
- “Only allow connection requests from people in my network”
- “Only allow connection requests from people I’ve imported my contacts for”
- “Don’t allow connection requests”
- “Only show my full profile to connections”
So if you are logged into your LinkedIn account and viewing another member’s profile but don’t see the Connect button, it is likely because that member has set their privacy settings to limit who can send them requests.
LinkedIn Premium Account Restrictions
The third factor that can impact your ability to see the Connect button on LinkedIn profiles is what type of account you have. Free LinkedIn accounts have limits on how many connection requests can be sent per week whereas premium accounts do not.
Here is a comparison of the messaging and connection limits for LinkedIn’s free and paid memberships:
| Account Type | Max Connections | Connection Requests / Week |
|---|---|---|
| Free Account | 500 | 30 |
| Premium Career Account | 15,000 | Unlimited |
| Premium Business Account | 25,000 | Unlimited |
| Sales Navigator Account | 25,000 | Unlimited |
As you can see, free members are limited to only 30 connection requests per week. So if you have sent out your maximum requests for the week, you may no longer see the Connect button when viewing other profiles.
Tips for Free Account Members
Here are some tips for free members who have hit their maximum number of connection requests:
- Wait until the next week when your connection limit resets
- Review your pending requests and delete any inactive ones
- Upgrade to a premium account for unlimited requests
Upgrading to a paid LinkedIn account is the best way to ensure you always see the Connect button when viewing member profiles.
LinkedIn Connection Limit
The fourth factor that affects the visibility of the Connect button is LinkedIn’s overall connection limit. Free accounts can only have up to 500 connections and paid accounts up to 30,000 connections.
Once you reach the maximum number of connections your account allows, you’ll stop seeing the Connect button because you cannot add any more connections.
If you have reached the connection limit but want to continue growing your network, you will need to manage your connections by pruning inactive connections or upgrading to a paid account that allows more.
Tips for Managing Max Connections
- Sort connections by recent activity and remove inactive ones
- Downgrade idle 2nd-degree connections to keep closer ones
- Upgrade to premium account to increase connection limit
LinkedIn Profile Completeness
The fifth element that can determine if the Connect button displays is your own LinkedIn profile completeness and activity. LinkedIn wants connection requests to come from credible, active members on the platform.
If your profile is sparse with few details filled out and you are not actively engaging on LinkedIn, the system may restrict your ability to connect with others. This helps prevent spammy connection requests on the network.
To ensure your profile appears credible and active so you can send more requests, follow these tips:
- Fill out your profile 100% including summary, experience, skills, etc.
- Engage with content by liking, commenting, posting, and sharing
- Join relevant LinkedIn groups and participate in discussions
The more complete your profile and the more active you are, the more likely LinkedIn will enable all profile connection features for your account.
LinkedIn Mutual Connections
The final element that can impact Connect button visibility is if you have any mutual connections with the other member. LinkedIn prioritizes showing the Connect button for profiles that you share connections with.
Having mutual connections indicates you likely have overlapping professional networks and are more relevant to connect with. Focus connection requests on members who share connections first.
You can filter searches by mutual connections. Members with several mutual connections are great candidates to connect with and will likely accept your request.
Tips for Connecting via Mutuals
- Sort your shared connections to identify who you know best
- Mention the mutual connection when sending a request
- Connect with those who share multiple connections first
Conclusion
The Connect button is your gateway to expanding your LinkedIn network and access. But whether the button shows depends on several factors including account settings, profile completeness, and mutual connections.
Here are some key takeaways on how to get the Connect button to appear:
- Adjust privacy settings to allow requests from a broader audience
- Make your profile 100% complete with engaging content
- Target members who share mutual connections first
- Upgrade to a premium account to remove limits
With the right strategy, you can optimize your LinkedIn profile and activity to unlock the Connect button and continue growing your professional network. The more quality connections you build, the more opportunities you will have access to through the power of LinkedIn.
