Is it rude to not respond to LinkedIn messages?

Quick Answers

Not responding to LinkedIn messages can be seen as rude in some circumstances, but there are also valid reasons why someone may not respond. Some key factors to consider are:

• The relationship you have with the sender – Not responding to someone you know well or have an established business relationship with could be seen as more rude compared to not responding to a stranger.
• The type of message – A personalized message merits more of a response than a generic template message.
• Your available time – If you receive a high volume of messages, it may not be feasible to respond to all of them in a timely manner.
• Relevance – If the message isn’t relevant to you, it may not warrant a response.

The polite thing to do is send at least a brief response thanking the sender for the note, but it’s understandable that responding is not always possible. Having an auto-reply that lets senders know you may not respond can help manage expectations.

Why People Message on LinkedIn

There are a variety of reasons why people send messages on LinkedIn:

Networking

Many people use LinkedIn messaging for networking purposes. They may message someone they don’t know well to introduce themselves, ask for career advice, or try to build a new connection. Networking messages are often more casual and conversational.

Sales Prospecting

LinkedIn is commonly used for sales prospecting. Salespeople will message potential leads or customers to try and generate new business. These messages tend to be more promotional or transactional in nature.

Job Inquiries

With LinkedIn’s large professional membership, it’s no surprise that people message others about job opportunities. Both recruiters and job seekers use LinkedIn messaging to ask about open positions or gauge interest in new roles.

Following Up

After meeting someone at an event, receiving a referral, or connecting for another reason, people will often follow up via LinkedIn message. This allows them to continue the conversation or build on the existing relationship.

Advice and Information

LinkedIn members will message others to get advice or information, especially from subject matter experts and industry influencers. For example, someone may message a previous coworker to get their input on a project.

Why People Don’t Respond

There are many reasons why LinkedIn members do not respond to some messages they receive:

Too Many Messages

For people with large networks or a public profile, the volume of messages can simply be overwhelming. When someone receives more messages than they can reasonably respond to in a timely manner, messages inevitably go unanswered.

Irrelevant Messages

If a message isn’t relevant to the recipient’s interests or needs, they are less inclined to respond. For example, a sales message may be deleted if the offer does not align with their priorities.

Lack of Value

Similarly, members don’t want to waste time responding to messages that don’t offer value. Messages that are overly promotional, vaguely worded, or make requests without showing what’s in it for them often go unanswered.

Lack of Relationship

Most people prioritize responding to messages from people they already know and have an established relationship or rapport with. They are less likely to reply to strangers or very casual acquaintances.

Security Concerns

Suspicious or questionable messages may be ignored over concerns about scams, phishing attempts, or online harassment. When safety or privacy is a factor, non-response may be the safest option.

Don’t Want New Connections

Some members limit responses to their trusted network and avoid encouraging new relationship-building over LinkedIn messaging. They may feel their network is large enough or prefer real-life connections.

Too Busy

With hectic schedules, personal priorities, and limited time in the day, responding to messages may fall to the bottom of the to-do list. Even with good intentions, lack of time prevents some people from connecting further.

Is it Rude to Not Respond?

Whether it’s rude to ignore a LinkedIn message depends on several factors:

Existing Relationship

If you already have a relationship with the sender, failing to respond could damage that relationship by insinuating you do not value further communication with them. At minimum, a short response is considerate.

Type of Message

Personalized messages warrant a response much more than generic mass messages. If someone takes the time to write you a custom note, it shows disrespect not to reply. Form messages are easier to ignore.

Sender’s Intentions

Messages seeking advice, answers, referrals, or recommendations deserve a reply to either provide the requested input or politely decline. Disregarding these sincere requests could be perceived as thoughtless.

Your Circumstances

However, mitigating factors like an extremely high volume of messages or personal constraints on your time make occasional non-responses understandable and not necessarily rude. You can’t realistically reply to everyone.

Polite Decline

If you don’t want to engage with a message, it’s good etiquette to say so directly by replying that you apologize for being unable to respond further at the time. An explicit but polite pass is preferable to no reply.

Best Practices for Responding

To maintain good professional etiquette on LinkedIn, here are some best practices for responding:

Personalized Reply

Write a unique reply addressing the specific message rather than a generic response. Use their name and refer to the contents.

Timely Response

Try to reply reasonably soon after receiving the message, such as within a week, to show courtesy through promptness.

Acknowledge Referrals

If someone refers you to someone else, follow up with them after you connect to show you value their help.

Reply Even When Declining

If you can’t help someone or choose not to accept an offer, politely say so rather than ignoring the message.

Say Thanks

Express gratitude for all messages, even just a simple note of thanks for thinking of you. Being appreciative encourages further communication.

Alternatives to Responding

If you ultimately decide not to reply, here are some alternatives to completely ignoring messages:

Like or Comment

Liking the message or commenting with a thumbs up or other quick reaction lets the sender know you saw their note.

Auto-Reply

Set up an auto-reply message explaining that you don’t always respond to messages but appreciate contact.

Update Settings

Adjust your LinkedIn settings to limit who can message you or automatically archive messages for later follow up.

Politely Decline Further Messages

Reply once stating you are unable to continue corresponding and wish them well. This closes the loop.

Connect Them with Someone Else

Forward their inquiry or introduction request to someone else better suited to respond if appropriate.

Conclusion

In summary, while there is no obligation to respond to every LinkedIn message, replying demonstrates professional courtesy and strengthens your network. Prioritize personalized messages from those you know, as lack of response could harm relationships. But cut yourself some slack when message volume is high, and focus on value-added exchanges. With thoughtfulness and some effort, you can maintain good communication etiquette.