Connecting with people on LinkedIn can be tricky when their profile only shows the “Follow” button rather than the “Connect” button. There are a few reasons this can happen and some workarounds to still be able to connect with these profiles.
First, let’s look at why you may only see the “Follow” button on some LinkedIn profiles:
They have limited their connections
Some LinkedIn users choose to limit how many connections they accept. LinkedIn allows you to set your connection preferences so you can control the rate at which you accumulate connections. If someone has reached the connection limit they set, the “Connect” button will be replaced by “Follow.”
They’re not open to connecting with you
LinkedIn’s algorithms decide which profiles should display “Connect” vs “Follow” buttons on a personalized basis. If someone is not interested in connecting with you specifically, LinkedIn may show the “Follow” button instead of “Connect.”
They have security concerns
Some users are cautious about connecting with people they don’t know well. To avoid getting connection requests from strangers, they may configure their settings to only show a “Follow” button.
They want to limit unsolicited outreach
Switching to “Follow” instead of “Connect” can stem the flow of incoming sales pitches and recruitment offers. Following allows seeing someone’s updates without fully connecting.
They don’t check LinkedIn very often
If someone doesn’t log into LinkedIn frequently, they may change their settings to “Follow” to avoid getting a buildup of connection requests they won’t regularly check.
Workarounds for When You Only See “Follow”
If you come across a LinkedIn profile where connecting could be beneficial but only a “Follow” button is available, there are some workarounds to try:
Send an InMail message
Even without connecting, you can send a personalized InMail message to open communication. Note that InMail requires a premium LinkedIn account to use. Free members will need to look into other options.
Comment on their posts and articles
Proactively engaging with someone’s content is a good way to get yourself on their radar. Commenting thoughtfully can lay the foundation for a future connection.
Like and share their posts
A simple Like or share of someone’s post shows you’re paying attention and interested in what they have to say. Doing this regularly can increase their familiarity with you.
Join common groups
If you’re both members of the same LinkedIn groups, participating actively in group discussions can allow organic interaction that may lead to connecting.
Follow their company
If you and the profile you want to connect with work at the same organization, following the company page can enable productive communication.
Connect with colleagues
Sometimes connecting with colleagues of the person you want to reach can create new opportunities for introduction.
Leverage 2nd-degree connections
See if you share any 2nd-degree connections with the profile and ask your mutual connections for an introduction.
Best Practices for Attempting to Connect
When employing workarounds to connect with someone who only displays a “Follow” button, keep these best practices in mind:
Personalize your approach
Generic outreach is easy to ignore. Crafting unique messages and comments tailored to their content shows you put time into engaging.
Add value
Look for ways to contribute value – share resources, make insightful comments, offer useful advice, etc. Avoid asking for something without first giving something.
Be patient
Don’t expect an instant response. Give them time to notice and respond to your efforts to get their attention.
Avoid coming across as pushy
No one likes feeling pressured. Keep your outreach friendly and low key. If they don’t respond after a few attempts, move on.
Consider why you want to connect
Reflect on your motivations and goals. If they’re not the right fit to connect with, don’t be afraid to disengage and refocus your efforts elsewhere.
When You Should Refrain from Connecting
While the workarounds listed can be effective, there are also times when you may want to refrain from trying to connect with someone who only displays a “Follow” button:
You have no common interests or connections
Without shared connections, groups, content or colleagues, you have no context for engaging organically. Forcing a connection in this case will likely come across as inauthentic.
Their profile is very private or restricted
If someone has their profile locked down with minimal info and activity, they likely wish to remain private. Respect their privacy preferences.
When you don’t have a specific purpose
Take a step back to think through why you want to connect. If there’s no clear objective, it may not be worth the effort.
You’re looking to make a sales pitch
Trying to connect just to pitch your business or products tends to backfire. Lead with value rather than sales.
When you haven’t interacted organically first
Initiating a connection without any prior engagement or context will probably feel intrusive rather than welcome.
Alternative Ways to Follow Without Connecting
If you decide connecting directly isn’t suitable, you can still follow someone to stay updated on their activity by:
Following their company page
Get updates on their company’s news, job posts, and culture by following their organization.
Following as an anonymous profile
You can create a separate private profile to follow influencers without cluttering your main feed.
Using LinkedIn’s “Follow” feature
The LinkedIn “Follow” function allows you to follow an individual without connecting directly.
Using LinkedIn’s “Save” feature
The “Save” option lets you bookmark profiles and content to revisit later at your convenience.
Turning on notifications
Opt to receive notifications when someone posts content, gets mentioned in articles, etc.
Following their educational institution
College alumni often continue interacting with their alma mater. Follow their school for potential connections.
When to Request to Connect Again
If someone was initially not open to connecting, when is it appropriate to request again? Consider asking once more if:
You both change companies
Starting a new job provides a natural context for re-engaging.
You’re now connected to mutual connections
Shared connections can increase comfort with connecting directly.
They engage more actively on LinkedIn
Increased activity levels signal they may reconsider connecting.
They mention challenges you can help with
Offering relevant advice or resources can demonstrate your value.
Significant time has passed
Months or years between requests prevents pestering them.
You meet offline at an event
In-person meetings justify sending a new connect invitation.
Conclusion
Displaying a “Follow” button only on LinkedIn profiles can be frustrating when you’re eager to connect. But various workarounds exist to engage organically first before attempting to connect. Keep adding value, nurturing relationships in groups and through content, and finding common connections. With the right strategy tailored to each situation, many “Follow only” profiles eventually become open to accepting connection requests.
