LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with over 722 million users worldwide. It allows professionals to connect with each other, find jobs, follow companies, and build their professional brand. While LinkedIn can be hugely beneficial for making connections and advancing your career, you may find yourself blocked by another user at some point. Getting blocked prevents you from viewing someone’s profile or contacting them on LinkedIn. So how do you know if someone has blocked you on LinkedIn? Here are some signs:
You can’t view their profile
The most obvious sign is if you try to visit someone’s LinkedIn profile directly and you see an error message saying “Unable to view profile” or “You don’t have permission.” This likely means you’ve been blocked and can no longer view that person’s profile. You won’t be able to see any of their information, recent activity, connections, or anything else on their profile page.
Your messages and connection requests are rejected
If your messages and connection invites to a specific LinkedIn member are constantly rejected or ignored, there’s a good chance you’re blocked. LinkedIn won’t directly tell you that you’re blocked, but repeated failed attempts to contact someone is a strong indicator.
You disappear from their network
If you and the person previously had a LinkedIn connection, but you suddenly disappear from their connections list, they may have blocked you. You can check this by logging out of your account and viewing their list of connections – if you’re not there, it’s likely you’ve been blocked.
You can’t comment on their posts
When you are blocked by someone, you will also be unable to comment on any content they share via posts. Your comments will be invisible to them. So if you notice your comments on someone’s posts are never replied to, it may be because you have been blocked.
Their profile image disappears
In some cases, when you are blocked by someone, their profile photo may disappear from your point of view. So if you notice a blank or generic silhouette icon instead of someone’s photo, that can be an indication you have been blocked.
Tips for avoiding being blocked on LinkedIn
To avoid getting blocked by other members, keep these tips in mind:
- Avoid spamming connection requests – only connect with people you know or have interacted with.
- Don’t bombard people with generic messages. Personalize any outreach.
- Be respectful and professional in all communication.
- Don’t overshare or post inappropriate content.
- Follow LinkedIn’s terms of service and user guidelines.
Following LinkedIn etiquette for making connections and communicating will help avoid irritating other members and getting blocked.
Why You May Be Blocked on LinkedIn
There are a few common reasons why someone might block you on LinkedIn:
You’re spamming them
If you have sent someone multiple connection requests or repeated generic messages despite getting no response, you may get blocked for spam-like behavior. Mass messaging people you don’t know well comes across as desperate and irritating. Make sure your outreach is thoughtful and not excessive.
Your behavior is inappropriate
Things like using aggressive language, making unwanted romantic advances, or sending offensive content can quickly get you blocked. Always be professional in your LinkedIn interactions.
You have had real-life conflicts
LinkedIn blocking can sometimes spill over from real-life conflicts. People from your past like ex-classmates, former colleagues, etc may block you over personal disagreements.
You’re abusing LinkedIn features
Violating LinkedIn’s policies around scraping, automated bots, false accounts, etc can also result in blocks. Play by the rules.
You’re connected to someone they dislike
In some cases, you may be blocked or restricted by association. For example, if you are connected to someone on LinkedIn that the person dislikes, they may preemptively block you.
They find your frequent posts annoying
If you overshare or post too frequently, especially irrelevant or promotional content, connections may find you annoying and block you. Avoid spammy behavior.
They want to limit professional competition
In some industries, blocking competitors on LinkedIn is seen as a strategic move. People may want to limit your visibility into their professional network and activity.
They find you creepy
Looking at someone’s LinkedIn profile excessively when they don’t know you very well can come across as “creepy” and make them uncomfortable. This could prompt a block, so use good judgment.
What Happens When You’re Blocked on LinkedIn?
Here is what happens when another user blocks you on LinkedIn:
You can’t view their profile or activity
When blocked, you are restricted from viewing that person’s profile, posts, connections, media, insights, etc. All visibility into their LinkedIn presence is cut off.
You are removed as a connection
If you were previously connected on LinkedIn, getting blocked removes the connection. You no longer appear in each other’s network.
You can’t message or contact them
Blocks prevent you from directly messaging, commenting, reacting, or otherwise interacting with the person’s profile. Your messages will not be seen by a blocked account.
You’re invisible to them
When you are blocked, your profile and activity is also hidden from their point of view. You disappear from their network and notifications.
Search obscures blocked accounts
Blocked accounts typically won’t show up in search results. LinkedIn’s algorithm hides blocked members from the blocker’s searches.
Groups activity may be limited
In shared LinkedIn Groups, your participation may be restricted with a block. Admins can limit blocked members.
You can no longer share connections
Once blocked, you lose the ability to leverage shared 1st-degree connections for introductions. Blocks remove this networking advantage.
How to Tell Who Blocked You on LinkedIn
Since LinkedIn doesn’t directly notify you of blocks, how can you figure out who blocked you? Here are some tips:
Try viewing their profile while logged out
One of the simplest ways is to log completely out of your LinkedIn account and then try to view the profile of the suspected blocker. If you can now see their profile normally, it’s likely they blocked you specifically.
Check your previous messages and activity
Look back through your interactions with the person. If you notice them consistently ignoring messages or replies from you but responding to others normally, that’s a sign.
Look for removal from their connections
See if you disappeared from their connections list when previously linked. Ask someone mutual if you still appear connected to the suspected blocker.
Make a secondary “fake” account
Creating a secondary dummy account on LinkedIn can help identity blocks since you’ll view profiles as an outsider. But this tactic is discouraged by LinkedIn.
Use LinkedIn tracking tools
There are some third-party browser extensions and tools designed specially to detect LinkedIn blocks and restrictions. But many violate LinkedIn’s terms of service.
Pay attention to small profile/activity changes
If a profile photo disappears or you can’t comment where previously allowed, these inconsistencies may indicate a block.
Consider why you’d be blocked
Reflect on past problematic communication or harassment that could justify a block. If you have any hunches, those may be telling.
What to Do If You’re Blocked on LinkedIn
If you determine you have been blocked on LinkedIn by someone, here are some things you can do:
Respect the block
Honor the block and move on. Do not try to circumvent it or contact the person from a different account. Persistent contact after being blocked can be harassment.
Reflect on why it happened
Think about what in your past communication may have prompted the block. Learn from it so you can improve future interactions.
Remove them as a connection
It’s reasonable to reciprocate the block by removing them from your connections. This limits their access to your profile and activity as well.
Focus your energy elsewhere
Rather than dwelling on the block, shift your time and effort to more positive relationships and networking opportunities within your LinkedIn community.
Ask politely for removal
If you believe the block was a misunderstanding or mistake, you can politely ask others in your shared network to request the block be removed. But respect any decision.
Make your profile less blockable
Consider tweaking your LinkedIn presence to be more professional. Remove anything that might attract blocks, like inappropriate content, spammy behavior etc.
How to Unblock Someone on LinkedIn
If you change your mind after blocking a LinkedIn connection, you can revoke the block to unrestrict their access. Here’s how:
Go to your profile settings
On LinkedIn click on “Me” > “Settings & Privacy”. Scroll down and click “Blocking”.
Select “Unblock”
This page will show any LinkedIn members you have blocked. Find the person you want to unblock and click “Unblock”.
Confirm the unblock
LinkedIn will ask you to confirm removing the block. Click “Unblock” again to finalize unrestricting the member’s access.
Notify them (optional)
Optionally, you can message the person to let them know you have unblocked them and reverted their access. But this step is not required.
Reconnect (optional)
If you want to restore a previous LinkedIn connection broken by the block, you’ll need to resend a connection invitation after unblocking.
Unblocking restores the member’s ability to view your profile and resets any restrictions placed on your mutual access. They will be visible and able to interact with your activity on LinkedIn again.
Mistakes to Avoid When Blocking LinkedIn Connections
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when deciding to block someone on LinkedIn:
Blocking without a valid reason
Don’t block connections arbitrarily or impulsively. Make sure you have a legitimate reason related to privacy, toxicity, harassment, etc.
Cutting off beneficial connections
Avoid blocking mentors, close colleagues, or other beneficial relationships just over minor issues or misunderstandings.
Assuming a block ends conflicts
Blocks don’t resolve underlying conflicts. The other person may escalate issues across other channels once blocked.
Not customizing visibility enough
Instead of an outright block, you may be better customizing visibility settings for certain connections.
Forgetting to unblock when resolved
Neglecting to revoke a block after conflicts are resolved can hurt your reputation or limit career opportunities.
Disconnecting shared contacts
Without thinking it through, a block can needlessly disconnect you from key shared 1st-degree contacts.
Overall, avoid hasty blocking decisions that haven’t been thought through. Handle conflicts constructively and reserve blocks for severe cases.
Protecting Your LinkedIn if You Think You’re Blocked
If you believe someone has blocked you on LinkedIn, here are some tips to protect your own presence and activity:
Beef up your security settings
Restrict non-connections from seeing your contacts, activity, interests, etc. Leverage your visibility settings.
Limit interactions with shared contacts
Temporarily stop engaging as much with contacts shared with the suspected blocker to avoid indirect conflicts.
Remove any recommended connections
Prune any contacts recommended via the blocked account to avoid awkwardness.
Avoid exchanges in common LinkedIn groups
Steer clear of group discussions and posts also involving the blocker.
Change your profile thumbnail image
If they’ve blocked you, setting a new thumbnail profile photo can help avoid being recognizable.
Adjust notifications settings
Tweak email and web notifications related to profile views, post engagement, messages etc. from non-connections.
Log activity inconsistencies
Note any suspicious changes in profile visibility or commenting ability in case you need evidence.
Proactively protecting your LinkedIn presence can prevent indirect problems if you suspect a block. Handle the situation calmly and maturely.
Conclusion
Being blocked on LinkedIn can be disappointing or confusing, but isn’t necessarily permanent. Focus on improving any behaviors that may have prompted the block, so you can avoid repeats in the future. Honor the blocker’s wishes during the restriction, but know that with constructive communication, reconciliation may eventually be possible.
