Quick Answers
Whether it’s better to block or remove someone on LinkedIn depends on the situation. Here are some quick answers:
- If you want to prevent someone from viewing your profile or contacting you, blocking is better.
- If you want to permanently sever the connection, removing is better.
- Blocking hides you from someone but keeps the connection. Removing severs the connection completely.
- Blocking is reversible but removing is permanent.
- Blocking keeps your shared connections and network intact. Removing reduces your connections.
- If the person is harassing you or making you uncomfortable, removing may be the safest option.
In summary, blocking is preferable if you want to temporarily hide from someone. Removing is better for permanently disconnecting from someone. The choice depends on your specific circumstances.
When to Block Someone
Here are some common situations when you may want to block someone on LinkedIn rather than remove them:
You Want to Hide Your Profile and Activity
Blocking someone prevents them from viewing your LinkedIn profile or any of your activity updates. Your profile will not show up in their search results.
This is useful if you want to avoid someone but don’t necessarily want to remove them as a connection. For example, you may want to block a coworker who you don’t get along with after changing jobs. Or you may want to block a recruiter that contacts you too frequently.
Blocking allows you to hide without severing the relationship completely.
You Want to Avoid Contact
Blocking stops someone from interacting with you on LinkedIn. They will be unable to:
- View your profile
- Send you connection requests
- Send you messages
- Invite you to events or groups
- Tag you in posts, comments or photos
This is useful if someone is constantly messaging you or repeatedly sending unwanted invites or tags. Blocking lets you avoid annoying or harassing contact.
It’s a Temporary Issue
Blocking is reversible – you can always unblock someone later. This makes it preferable if you just want to avoid someone temporarily.
For instance, you may want to block an ex-colleague during a messy departure from your company. Or you may block someone who is posting many irrelevant updates that clutter your feed. The block can be removed in the future if needed.
You Don’t Want to Lose Shared Connections
Removing someone as a connection will also reduce your shared connections with that person. Blocking preserves these connections.
So if you want to maintain access to the contacts, groups and networks you have in common, blocking is better than removing.
When to Remove Someone
Here are some situations where removing a connection on LinkedIn is better than blocking:
You Want a Permanent Disconnection
Removing someone severs the connection completely. Your profiles will no longer show up on each other’s list of connections.
This is better if you want a permanent end to the relationship, such as an ex-partner, former friend or coworker you never want to interact with again. Removing is a way to fully disconnect.
They are Spamming or Harassing You
If someone is repeatedly spamming you with messages or emails, or harassing you with inappropriate contact, removing them is the safest option.
Blocking still allows them to see your name and limited profile information. Removing disconnects you entirely and can offer more protection.
The Person is Compromising Your Reputation
Having a connection to someone controversial or unprofessional could be detrimental to your own reputation by association.
For instance, if a connection has made inappropriate comments or shared questionable content publicly, removing the connection prevents your profile from being linked to them.
The Connection is Inflated or Inactive
If you have a lot of connections you barely interact with, removing some can increase the value of your remaining network. Removed connections linked to spam or fake profiles also helps keep your network authentic.
Focusing on truly active, reciprocal relationships provides more value than bloated numbers of connections.
You Rarely Interact with Them
It’s perfectly fine to remove connections you no longer collaborate or network with. There is no need to stay connected for the sake of it, especially if they are filling your feed with irrelevant updates.
Be strategic and keep your network full of meaningful, active connections by pruning inactive ones.
How Blocking Works on LinkedIn
Here are some key things to know about how blocking functions on LinkedIn:
Blocking Hides You From Someone
When you block someone, you will disappear from their search results and feeds. They will no longer be able to access your profile or see any of your activity.
Your Shared Connections Remain Intact
Blocking does not affect the connections, groups or networks you have in common. You both retain access to these.
However, removing someone severs all shared connections and groups.
You Can Reverse a Block
Unlike removing, blocking is reversible. You can unblock someone to restore interactions. Blocks can be removed at any time.
This makes it preferable for temporary issues or avoiding contact for a period of time. The door remains open to reconnect.
Partial Profile Information Remains Visible
When someone is blocked, their name and limited profile details can still be seen in search results and mutual connections lists. But full access to their profile is blocked.
Removing fully eliminates all presence of their profile from your account. No information remains visible.
You Can Pre-Emptively Block Someone
On LinkedIn you can block other members even if they have not interacted with you previously. This allows you to proactively hide yourself from someone.
You don’t need to wait for unwanted contact to occur. Pre-emptive blocking gives you control over who can access you.
Some Interactions May Still be Visible
While blocking prevents direct interactions, some third-party traces may remain visible. For example:
- Comments on mutual connections’ posts
- Being co-members of the same groups
- Being tagged together in photos or posts
Full removal is the only way to erase someone’s presence entirely. Blocking only limits direct interactions.
How Removing Works on LinkedIn
Here are key things to understand about removing connections on LinkedIn:
Removing Severs the Connection
When you remove someone (or they remove you) the connection is permanently deleted. Your profiles are no longer linked in any way.
It Erases Shared Connections
In addition to severing the direct connection, removing someone also reduces the number of 2nd and 3rd degree connections you share through them.
This shrinks your total network size and reach. Blocking maintains shared connections.
Removing is Permanent
There is no way to undo removing a connection. If you remove someone, reconnecting requires sending a new connection invitation which they must accept.
So only remove people if you are certain the relationship is finished. Blocking is better for temporary issues.
All Traces are Erased
Once removed, the person disappears entirely from your network and interactions. No profile information or past activity remains visible.
Blocking still leaves some basic profile information and limited interaction history.
You Can be Re-Added
If someone removes you as a connection, they can send you a new invitation to connect again in the future if they choose.
But you will not be notified if you are removed. You will simply disappear from their network.
Should You Notify People You Block or Remove Them?
Many people wonder if they should inform someone when they plan to block or remove them on LinkedIn. There are pros and cons to notifying them:
Pros of Notifying
- It provides closure if it’s the end of a relationship
- It’s more transparent and honest
- It gives them a chance to respond or fix any issues
- It reduces the surprise if they later notice you gone
Some view it as proper etiquette to notify major connections, especially if mutually beneficial relationships are being severed.
Cons of Notifying
- It prompts them to react, which could make the situation worse
- You may get spammed with messages or connection requests
- They may try to publicly call you out
- It’s unnecessary for strangers, casual contacts or inactive connections
With close contacts that could retaliate, avoiding notification may prevent backlash. You can always explain later if needed.
When to Notify
Consider notifying connections if they are:
- Close friends or family members
- Significant mutually beneficial business contacts
- People you interact with regularly
Avoid notifying if they are:
- Harassers, bullies or malicious contacts
- Inactive connections you rarely interact with
- Spam accounts or bots
- Strangers who randomly add you
Use your judgement based on the specific relationship and risks of backlash. If in doubt, discreetly disconnect without notification.
What Happens When You Block Someone?
Here’s a summary of what happens when you block another member on LinkedIn:
You Disappear from Their View
When blocked, you become completely invisible to the other person. They will not be able to view your profile, activity or notifications.
Search and Feed Results are Hidden
You will no longer show up if they search for your name or company. Your activity will also be removed from their feed.
Messaging and Notifications Stop
The block prevents any messages, connection invitations, event invites or tags from the other person. Notifications about their activity will also stop.
Shared Connections are Maintained
Blocking has no effect on the connections, groups and networks you share in common. These remain intact for both parties.
Limited Profile Details Stay Visible
While full access to your profile is blocked, some basic information like your name and headline may still be visible to them in search results.
Pre-Block Activity Remains
Past comments, posts and messages exchanged before the block will stay visible. But all new interactions are prevented.
You Can Unblock at Any Time
Blocking is reversible. You can choose to unblock someone later to restore communication and profile visibility if you wish.
What Happens When You Remove Someone?
Here’s what happens when you remove a LinkedIn connection:
The Connection is Permanently Deleted
Removing severs the connection entirely. Your profiles will no longer be linked or associated with each other in any way.
All Traces are Erased
Unlike blocking, removing someone erases all signs of their existence from your account. Their name and profile vanish completely.
Shared Connections are Lost
Removing the connection also reduces the number of 2nd and 3rd degree connections you share through them. Your total network size shrinks.
Communication Channels Close
Removing severs all methods of communication. You can no longer message or interact with that person at all on LinkedIn.
Past Interactions Remain Visible
While future interactions are impossible, any previous messages, posts or comments exchanged will still be visible unless manually deleted.
Reconnecting Requires Mutual Consent
Since removal is permanent, the only way to reconnect is if the other person sends you a new connection invitation that you accept. Mutual consent is required.
No Notification if You’re Removed
You are not notified if someone removes you as a connection. The relationship simply disappears from your side as well.
Should You Block or Remove?
So when deciding between blocking or removing a LinkedIn connection, here are some key questions to consider:
Is this a temporary or permanent disconnection?
If you may want to restore the relationship later, block instead of remove. Blocking is reversible.
How close is the relationship?
The closer the tie, the more courtesy notification and removal is warranted over blocking. Explain the reasons.
Could the person retaliate if notified?
If the connection may harass you or react badly, discreetly block or remove without notification.
Do you want to maintain shared connections?
Blocking preserves your existing network overlap. Removing severs all shared ties.
Does their presence negatively impact your brand?
If the person could damage your reputation, removing them fully is safer than just blocking.
How severe are their negative actions?
Blocking may suffice for minor issues. But harassment or abuse may warrant full removal for your wellbeing.
Consider these factors when deciding the best approach to distance yourself on LinkedIn.
Best Practices for Blocking and Removing
Here are some best practices as you manage your LinkedIn connections:
- Check your settings often and customize who can contact you.
- Cancel connection requests from people you don’t know before accepting.
- Block strangers who send unwanted invites or messages.
- Be prudent about notifications if removing volatile contacts.
- Explain your reasons if removing major connections.
- Don’t feel obligated to stay connected with inactive contacts.
- Block first if unsure, you can always remove later if needed.
- Report abusive contacts to LinkedIn if they harass you.
- Focus your network on mutually beneficial, active relationships.
Carefully managing your connections promotes a healthier, more productive network and protects your brand.
Pros and Cons of Blocking
Pros
- Lets you avoid someone without severing the connection
- Prevents unwanted messages and notifications
- Hides your profile and activity from them
- Maintains your shared connections and network
- Is reversible if you change your mind
Cons
- Doesn’t fully disconnect like removing does
- Leaves some profile information visible
- Past interactions remain visible
- Possible retaliation if they notice
- Loose connections stay in your network
Pros and Cons of Removing
Pros
- Severs the connection permanently
- Erases their profile and presence totally
- Prevents any future interaction
- Reduces inflated or inactive connections
- Can boost your reputation if they are controversial
Cons
- Eliminates beneficial shared connections
- Cannot be undone or restored
- May require reconnecting in the future
- Can provoke retaliation if noticed
- Seen as more extreme than blocking
Conclusion
In summary, blocking is preferable if you want to temporarily avoid and hide from someone without fully disconnecting. It maintains your existing network.
But removing is better if you want to permanently sever contact and association. It provides a clean break.
Situational factors like the closeness of the relationship and potential for backlash should guide your decision between blocking or removing.
With strategic connection management, you can cultivate the most beneficial network for your personal brand and goals on LinkedIn. Just be prudent in handling volatile connections.
