LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with over 800 million members worldwide. One of the key features of LinkedIn is the ability to connect with other professionals in your industry or location. However, some LinkedIn users prefer to keep their connections private rather than display them publicly on their profile. There are pros and cons to both approaches, so it’s a good idea to carefully consider whether showing your LinkedIn connections publicly is the right choice for you.
Quick Answers
What are the benefits of showing your LinkedIn connections?
Some potential benefits of showing your LinkedIn connections publicly include:
– Demonstrating an extensive professional network
– Strengthening your credibility and reputation
– Allowing connections to discover mutual contacts
– Helping others determine if you’re worth connecting with
– Showcasing who you’re connected with can be impressive
What are the downsides of showing your LinkedIn connections?
Some potential downsides of showing your LinkedIn connections publicly include:
– Privacy and security concerns about displaying connections
– Spam connection requests from strangers trying to grow their networks
– Enabling competitors to see who you’re connected with in your industry
– Damaging relationships if connections don’t want to be publicly affiliated
– Perception of vanity or ego in showing off connections
Should you keep your LinkedIn connections private or public?
There’s no definitively right or wrong choice – it depends on your priorities and comfort level. Many professionals choose to show 1st-degree connections publicly but keep 2nd- and 3rd-degree connections private. Others show all connections publicly or keep all private. Consider your industry culture, career goals, growth objectives, and personal preferences.
The Pros of Showing LinkedIn Connections Publicly
Displaying your LinkedIn connections can offer several potential benefits:
Demonstrates an Extensive Professional Network
Showcasing that you have 500+ connections on your LinkedIn profile conveys that you have a wide-reaching professional network. This can positively influence how others perceive your industry connections, relationships, and overall reputation. Having lots of connections tends to command respect and indicates you’re well-connected.
Strengthens Your Credibility & Reputation
If viewers recognize names of industry leaders, influencers, and experts in your connections list, it can enhance your credibility. Showing strategic connections can demonstrate you’re respected by and well-connected with key figures in your field. This can strengthen your professional reputation.
Allows Connections to Discover Mutual Contacts
Displaying your connections enables your contacts to easily identify mutual connections they share with you. This can help them determine which introductory paths they may leverage to grow their own networks through your existing relationships.
Helps Others Assess If You’re Worth Connecting With
Prospective connections can review your connections list to evaluate if connecting with you would provide them value. If you have co-workers, leaders, influencers, or experts relevant to them in your network, they may find you worth connecting with too.
Showcases Impressive Connections
For some professionals like recruiters, salespeople, or consultants who depend on large networks, showing connections with prominent executives and thought leaders can be impressive. Displaying influential connections can convey strong relationship-building abilities.
| Pros of Showing LinkedIn Connections |
|---|
| Demonstrates an extensive professional network |
| Strengthens your credibility and reputation |
| Allows connections to discover mutual contacts |
| Helps others assess if you’re worth connecting with |
| Showcases impressive connections |
The Cons of Showing LinkedIn Connections Publicly
However, displaying your LinkedIn connections also has some potential drawbacks to consider:
Privacy and Security Concerns
Publicly showcasing your connections exposes those relationships to anyone – including strangers and search engines. Some connections may not want their affiliation with you searchable or viewable by all. There are privacy concerns to weigh.
Spam Connection Requests from Strangers
Random LinkedIn members may send you connection requests simply because they want to grow their own networks. This can become annoying and lead to unwanted spam. Keeping your connections list private prevents strangers from targeting you.
Enables Competitors to See Key Contacts
If you display connections publicly, competitors can potentially identify and target influential contacts relevant to your industry. This could undermine your competitive advantage from key relationships.
Damages Relationships If Connections Don’t Want Affiliation
Some connections may not want to be publicly associated or aligned with you. Broadcasting those relationships without permission could strain certain connections.
Perception of Vanity or Ego in Showing Off
There’s sometimes a fine line between demonstrating strong networks and perceived bragging. Flaunting connections can risk coming across as egotistical or self-important rather than prestigious.
| Cons of Showing LinkedIn Connections |
|---|
| Privacy and security concerns |
| Spam connection requests from strangers |
| Enables competitors to see key contacts |
| Damages relationships if connections don’t want affiliation |
| Perception of vanity or ego in showing off |
Key Considerations for LinkedIn Connection Settings
When evaluating whether to show your LinkedIn connections, here are some key considerations:
Your Industry Culture and Standards
What’s customary in your field? Some sectors emphasize public networks while others value privacy. Evaluate norms and expectations.
Your Career Goals and Growth Objectives
If showcasing connections helps achieve your goals, it may be worth it. But if growth or privacy are priorities, keep them private.
Volume and Quality of Your Connections
The size and level of influence of your network matters. Displaying 500+ connections with recognizable names is different than 50 random connections.
Your Personal Comfort Level on Privacy
Assess your comfort with the public visibility of your connections. Don’t publicly display anything that makes you uneasy.
Why You’re on LinkedIn
Consider whether you use LinkedIn mainly for networking, job seeking, client outreach, or other aims. Your reasons can shape the best settings.
Best Practices for LinkedIn Connection Settings
Based on the pros, cons and key considerations, here are some best practices many professionals follow:
Show 1st-Degree Connections, Hide 2nd- and 3rd-Degree
Displaying 1st-degree connections (your direct contacts) demonstrates strong relationships. But hiding extended connections protects privacy.
Be Selective and Strategic With Recommendations
Ask for recommendations only from prestigious connections willing to endorse you publicly to enhance your reputation.
Customize Settings for Different Audiences
Use options to showcase connections, skills, and groups differently to recruiters than your wider network. Customize based on audience.
Ask Permission Before Showcasing Key Connections
If you want to publicly display influential or sensitive connections, get their consent first to avoid problems. Don’t take them by surprise.
| Best Practices for LinkedIn Connection Settings |
|---|
| Show 1st-degree connections, hide 2nd- and 3rd-degree |
| Be selective and strategic with recommendations |
| Customize settings for different audiences |
| Ask permission before showcasing key connections |
Conclusion
Deciding whether to show your LinkedIn connections isn’t always a clear or easy choice. It requires balancing personal branding, privacy, relationship, and career objectives. For many professionals, the best approach is being selective – displaying your 1st-degree connections to convey an influential network, but keeping 2nd- and 3rd-degree connections private. Seek recommendations from key connections sparingly and strategically. Customize your profile visibility for different audiences. Ask permission before showcasing sensitive connections publicly. Evaluate your specific circumstances, goals and priorities to determine the ideal LinkedIn connection settings for you.
