LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform with over 722 million users worldwide. Making connections is a key part of using LinkedIn effectively to build your professional network and advance your career. But not all LinkedIn connections are the same. There are three main types of connections on LinkedIn:
1. First-degree connections
First-degree connections are people you are directly connected to on LinkedIn. You can send connection requests to people you know and have worked with, such as colleagues, classmates, friends, etc. Once they accept your request, they become a first-degree connection. You can see their full profile, contact them through messages, and interact with their posts and activity on LinkedIn. First-degree connections are crucial for building your professional network on the platform.
How to get first-degree connections
- Send connection requests to people you know
- Import contacts from your email
- Accept incoming connection requests
- Connect with colleagues and classmates
- Reach out to people you meet at events and conferences
Benefits of first-degree connections
- See their full profile and activity
- Communicate with them directly
- Get introductions through them
- Interact with their posts and content
- Appear in their network when viewed by others
You want to build up first-degree connections on LinkedIn with professionals in your industry, alumni from your university, past colleagues and employers, and key figures in companies you want to work for. The more relevant first-degree connections you have, the more powerful your LinkedIn network will be.
2. Second-degree connections
Second-degree connections on LinkedIn are people who are connected to your first-degree connections. You can see limited profile information about your second-degree connections, such as their name, headline, location, company, school, and industry. You can also see any connections, groups, or interests you have in common with them. However, you cannot directly contact or interact with second-degree connections on LinkedIn.
How to get second-degree connections
- Your first-degree connections’ connections become your second-degree connections
- When people connect to someone in your network, they show up as a second-degree connection
Benefits of second-degree connections
- Discover new contacts through shared connections
- Identify opportunities to get introduced by a mutual connection
- Expand your reach to wider professional networks
- See connections at target companies and organizations
Second-degree connections allow you to discover professionals outside of your direct network. You can ask mutual connections for introductions to second-degree connections that you want to reach out to and potentially turn into first-degree connections.
3. Third-degree connections and beyond
Third-degree connections on LinkedIn are people connected to your second-degree connections. You can see very limited profile information about third-degree connections, primarily just their name and headline. For connections beyond third-degree, you cannot see any profile information – they appear as “Outside your network”. You cannot interact or contact third-degree or more distant connections unless they become a first or second-degree connection.
How to get third-degree connections and beyond
- Extends from second-degree connections’ networks
- Appear as network grows and people connect to each other
Benefits of third-degree connections and beyond
- Discover names of professionals at target companies/industries
- Identify potential contacts to build connections to
- See size and reach of your overall network
Third-degree connections and beyond show the reach and extent of your overall network on LinkedIn. You can browse these connections selectively to find professionals you want to try to build first-degree connections with through introductions.
Key Differences Between Connection Types
The main differences between first, second, and third-degree connections on LinkedIn are:
Connection Type | Profile Access | Communication | Endorsed Skills |
---|---|---|---|
First-Degree | Full access | Direct messaging | Can endorse |
Second-Degree | Limited details | No direct messaging | Cannot endorse |
Third-Degree | Very limited | No communication | Cannot endorse |
First-degree connections allow full profile access and direct communication. Second and third-degree connections offer limited to no profile access and no ability to message the user. You need to upgrade second and third-degree connections to first-degree to fully interact with them.
How to Grow Your LinkedIn Connections
Here are some tips to effectively grow your LinkedIn network:
- Personalize connection requests with a note
- Engage with content published by others
- Join LinkedIn groups in your industry
- Follow companies you are interested in
- Make connections at events, conferences, and trade shows
- Reconnect with past colleagues and classmates
- Leverage your common connections for introductions
- Consider a premium LinkedIn account for more outreach
Focus on quality over quantity when sending connection requests. Personalized requests are much more likely to be accepted. You want to build genuine connections, not just increase your number of connections. Provide value to your network through content, comments, and helping others.
LinkedIn Connection Request Etiquette
Here are some best practices for LinkedIn connection etiquette:
- Only connect with people you know or have met in person
- Personalize each request with a message
- Be selective – focus on high-value connections
- Follow up after connecting to start a dialogue
- Don’t take it personally if requests are ignored or declined
- Respect other’s preferences on frequency of invitations
- Provide recommendations and introductions to people in your network
Avoid sending spammy connection requests by personalizing each one. Always include a note explaining who you are and why you want to connect. Follow up after connecting with a message about shared interests or opportunities to support each other. Be gracious if a connection request is declined and don’t overdo it on sending requests.
Maximizing the Value of Your LinkedIn Connections
To get the most value out of your LinkedIn connections, keep the following in mind:
- Complete your profile to represent your professional brand
- Engage with connections by liking and commenting on their posts
- Provide recommendations and endorse skills for your connections
- Share valuable content with your network
- Congratulate connections on work anniversaries and promotions
- Participate in LinkedIn groups and discussions
- Offer to make introductions to help others in your network
- Stay up-to-date with new LinkedIn features and options
The more you engage with and add value to your connections, the more benefit you will get back. LinkedIn is built on reciprocity, so be an active participant in your network. Make sure your own profile is complete and optimized to represent your professional accomplishments, skills, and brand.
Conclusion
There are three primary types of LinkedIn connections – first, second, and third-degree connections. First-degree connections are directly connected to you and offer the most value through full profile access, direct messaging, and being part of your primary professional network. Second and third-degree connections have limited profiles and no ability to interact with you.
Focus on building quality first-degree connections by personalizing requests, engaging with your network, and providing value. Participate actively in your connections’ online professional community. Follow proper etiquette when sending connection invites. The more value you deliver to your connections, the more benefit you will gain in return through an expanded professional network.