LinkedIn has become one of the most popular professional networking platforms, with over 800 million users worldwide. While most people use LinkedIn to build their professional brand and make connections, sometimes circumstances arise where deleting a LinkedIn account altogether is the best option.
You may want to delete your own LinkedIn account or help someone else delete theirs. Some common reasons for deleting a LinkedIn account include leaving the workforce, changing careers, privacy concerns, or simply wanting to take a break from social media.
Whatever the reason, deleting a LinkedIn account can be done fairly easily if you follow the proper steps. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to delete a LinkedIn account either for yourself or someone else.
Can You Delete Someone Else’s LinkedIn Account?
Before going through the deletion process, it’s important to note that you cannot directly delete someone else’s LinkedIn account. Only account holders have the ability to delete their own LinkedIn profiles.
However, you can guide someone through the account deletion process by providing instructions and support. Or if the account holder is unable to access their account for some reason, you can submit a request to LinkedIn to delete the account on their behalf.
When helping someone else delete their LinkedIn, make sure you have their consent first. Deleting an account can only be done by the account holder or an authorized representative.
How to Delete Your Own LinkedIn Account
If you want to delete your own LinkedIn account, the process is straightforward. Here are the steps to permanently delete your LinkedIn account:
- Log into your LinkedIn account on the website (you cannot delete an account via the mobile app)
- In the top right corner, click on the Me icon (your profile picture)
- From the dropdown menu, select Settings & Privacy
- On the Account preferences page under Account management, click Close your account
- On the Close Account page, select Continue to close account
- Select your reason for leaving LinkedIn from the dropdown menu
- Re-enter your account password to confirm your identity
- Finally, click the Close Account button
Once you complete these steps, your LinkedIn account will be scheduled for permanent deletion. LinkedIn states it may take up to 24 hours for an account to be deleted. You can always log back in during this grace period to cancel the deletion request.
How to Delete Someone Else’s LinkedIn Account
If you need to delete someone else’s LinkedIn account, follow these steps:
- Have the account holder log into their LinkedIn account
- Walk them through the deletion steps above
- Provide any assistance or support they need in understanding the deletion process
- If they cannot access their account, submit a delete request to LinkedIn on their behalf (details below)
The key is having the account holder initiate the deletion themselves after signing into their account. This verifies they consent to deleting their account.
Delete Request for Inaccessible Accounts
If the LinkedIn account holder cannot access their account to delete it directly, you can submit a request to LinkedIn to delete the account on their behalf:
- Go to LinkedIn’s account deletion form.
- Enter the URL of the LinkedIn account you want deleted.
- Explain why the account needs to be deleted in the “Additional details” box.
- Provide proof that you are authorized to make the request on the account holder’s behalf.
- Select the confirmation checkbox and click “Submit.”
LinkedIn will review the request and may reach out for additional verification before deleting the account. This process can take up to 30 days for a response from LinkedIn.
What Happens When You Delete a LinkedIn Account?
When you permanently delete a LinkedIn account, either your own or someone else’s, here is what happens:
- Your profile, connections, messages, and all other account data is removed from LinkedIn’s servers.
- Your profile and network activity no longer appear in search results or feeds.
- You lose access to LinkedIn Premium features (if subscribed).
- Other users can no longer see your profile or connect with you.
- Your LinkedIn URL redirects to a generic page.
However, LinkedIn states some data may persist in backups or aggregated statistics after account deletion. And others may still have copies of your information like messages or connections lists.
Important Notes on LinkedIn Account Deletion
- Deletion is permanent. There is no way to restore or reactivate a deleted account.
- Anyone you are connected with will no longer see your profile in their connections list.
- Your network will not be notified when you delete your account.
- You can sign up for a new LinkedIn account at any time using the same (or new) email address.
Reasons to Delete Your LinkedIn Account
Why would someone want to delete their LinkedIn account altogether? Here are some of the most common reasons:
- Job change – Leaving the workforce or switching careers where LinkedIn is no longer useful.
- Privacy concerns – Worries about data privacy or no longer wanting an online presence.
- Temporary break – Taking a break from social media or professional networking.
- Upsetting experience – Cyberbullying, harassment, or other issues that cause the need to delete.
- Duplicates – Merging multiple LinkedIn accounts into one main profile.
- Retirement – Retiring fully from professional life and networking.
Having an outdated or no longer used LinkedIn account floating around can undermine your professional brand or open you up to security risks. That is why proactively deleting your account can be beneficial in many situations.
Best Practices When Deleting LinkedIn
Follow these best practices when deleting a LinkedIn account for the best results:
- Back up connections – Export your 1st-degree connections list before deleting your account.
- Save photos & files – Download or save any photos, articles, or files you want to keep.
- Unlink social media – Unlink any Twitter, Facebook, or other social media connected to your LinkedIn.
- Cancel Premium – Cancel any paid LinkedIn Premium subscription through account settings.
- Use desktop site – Initiate deletion via LinkedIn’s desktop site, not the mobile app.
Taking these steps allows you to save anything important before the account is permanently deleted by LinkedIn.
Alternatives to Deleting LinkedIn
Permanently deleting your LinkedIn account is a big decision. Before doing so, consider these alternative options that allow you to step away without losing your profile:
- Deactivate account – You can temporarily deactivate your account while keeping your profile and connections.
- Revamp profile – Update your profile to reflect your new career focus or priorities.
- Increase privacy – Adjust profile visibility and account settings for more privacy.
- Unlink social media – Disconnect any Twitter, Facebook, or other linked accounts.
- Remove connections – Keep your profile but remove some or all connections.
Using one or more of these options may provide the distance or separation you need without permanently deleting your entire LinkedIn presence.
Conclusion
Deleting your LinkedIn account is generally straightforward and permanent. You can remove your own account through LinkedIn’s settings, or submit a request to delete someone else’s inactive profile.
The main steps involve logging into the LinkedIn website, accessing account settings, selecting the option to permanently close the account, and then confirming your password. It may take up to 24 hours for deletion to fully process.
Common reasons for deleting your LinkedIn include major job changes, privacy concerns, wanting a temporary break from networking, or removing duplicate profiles. Consider alternatives like deactivating your account or tightening privacy settings if you want more distance without fully deleting.
With the right approach, deleting a LinkedIn account can help improve your online presence and privacy. Just be sure you back up or save anything important before the account is removed for good.
Reason | Details |
---|---|
Job change | Leaving the workforce or switching careers where LinkedIn is no longer useful |
Privacy concerns | Worries about data privacy or no longer wanting an online presence |
Temporary break | Taking a break from social media or professional networking |
Upsetting experience | Cyberbullying, harassment, or other issues causing the need to delete |
Duplicates | Merging multiple LinkedIn accounts into one main profile |
Retirement | Retiring fully from professional life and networking |
Having an outdated or no longer used LinkedIn account floating around can undermine your professional brand or open you up to security risks. That is why proactively deleting your account can be beneficial in many situations.
Best Practices When Deleting LinkedIn
- Back up connections – Export your 1st-degree connections list before deleting your account.
- Save photos & files – Download or save any photos, articles, or files you want to keep.
- Unlink social media – Unlink any Twitter, Facebook, or other social media connected to your LinkedIn.
- Cancel Premium – Cancel any paid LinkedIn Premium subscription through account settings.
- Use desktop site – Initiate deletion via LinkedIn’s desktop site, not the mobile app.
Taking these steps allows you to save anything important before the account is permanently deleted by LinkedIn.
Alternatives to Deleting LinkedIn
- Deactivate account – You can temporarily deactivate your account while keeping your profile and connections.
- Revamp profile – Update your profile to reflect your new career focus or priorities.
- Increase privacy – Adjust profile visibility and account settings for more privacy.
- Unlink social media – Disconnect any Twitter, Facebook, or other linked accounts.
- Remove connections – Keep your profile but remove some or all connections.
Using one or more of these options may provide the distance or separation you need without permanently deleting your entire LinkedIn presence.