Blocking someone on LinkedIn prevents them from viewing your profile or sending you messages. However, it does not delete existing messages they have sent you. Those messages will still be visible in your inbox unless you manually delete them.
When you block someone on LinkedIn, here is what happens to any messages they have previously sent you:
Existing messages remain visible
Any messages, connection requests, or invitations sent to you by the blocked member will still be visible in your inbox or notifications. Blocking prevents new messages but does not remove old ones. So if they had messaged you in the past, you will still see those conversations.
You can manually delete messages
If you want to remove past conversations or connection requests from a blocked member, you will need to manually delete them. Go to your inbox and notifications and remove any messages or requests you no longer wish to see.
The sender is unaware you blocked them
When you block someone on LinkedIn, they are not notified. So if you block someone who previously messaged you, they will be unaware that you can no longer see new messages from them. Existing messages will still show as ‘sent’ on their end.
You can unblock at any time
Blocking someone on LinkedIn is not permanent. You can go to your settings and unblock them at any time. Unblocking will allow them to message you again and see your profile. Any existing messages will become visible again.
What happens to connection requests?
Blocking also impacts connection requests:
Pending requests remain unless acted upon
If someone has sent you a connection request that is still pending when you block them, that request will remain pending unless you accept or ignore it. Blocking alone does not remove pending requests.
Accepted requests result in removal
If you had previously accepted a connection request from someone and then block them, they will be removed from your connections. Blocking severs existing connections.
They can send new requests if unblocked
Like with messaging, blocking prevents new connection requests but does not prohibit them if the block is removed. If you unblock someone who had previously sent you a request, they could send you a new one.
Impact on invitations and notifications
In addition to messages and requests, blocking stops invitations and notifications:
No new invites or notifications
Once blocked, that member will not be able to send you any new invites or notifications. This includes things like event invitations, group invites, and work notifications.
Existing notifications remain visible
However, any notifications or invites previously sent to you will still be visible unless manually deleted. Blocking simply limits new ones from being received.
Invites/notifications may be impacted if sender is blocked
If you block someone who had invited you to an event or group, it may impact your ability to view or engage with that content going forward. Existing invites would remain visible unless deleted.
Visibility of your profile and activity
Blocking someone on LinkedIn also limits their ability to view your profile and activity:
They cannot view your full profile
When blocked, that member will be unable to view your full profile. They will only see your name, headline, and current company. Your photo, experience, education, etc. will be hidden.
They see limited views of activity
Posts and activity will also have limited visibility. Your comments on public posts may still show up, but the blocked person would see minimal information.
Search engine visibility remains
However, anything visible to search engines remains public. So content on your profile could still come up in Google searches even if someone is blocked from LinkedIn.
Impact on groups
If you and the blocked member are both part of the same LinkedIn groups, blocking can impact the group experience:
Both remain members of shared groups
Blocking someone does not remove either of you from any shared groups you are both members of. You will both remain members.
Limited ability to interact in groups
However, it will limit your ability to interact in group posts and discussions. You would not see each other’s posts or comments. Mention notifications would also be blocked.
Admins can remove blocking member
A group admin would have the ability to remove a blocked member from the group altogether. But regular members cannot directly remove each other via a block.
Selective blocking of specific members
Keep in mind you have the option to selectively block specific members as needed:
You can block individuals without removing connections
Blocking someone does not require you to remove them as a connection first. You can block individual members while leaving other connections intact.
Settings allow you to undo blocking
Similarly, you can change settings at any time to unblock someone previously blocked. You can be selective in who you block and when.
Admins may need to block many members
Group admins in particular may need to block multiple members causing issues. Selective blocking allows them to moderate without removing all members.
Limits of blocking on LinkedIn
While blocking prevents unwanted messages and invitations, there are some limits:
Cannot block anonymous viewers
You cannot block anonymous visitors who simply view your profile. LinkedIn only allows blocking named members from specific interactions.
Limited visibility remains in some areas
As mentioned, some visibility remains in public posts, search engines, and groups. Complete separation from a member is not guaranteed with blocking alone.
The member can sign up again with a new account
Finally, there is nothing preventing a blocked member from signing up for a new LinkedIn account. Blocking provides separation on the current platform but cannot prevent someone from creating a new account.
Conclusion
In summary, blocking a LinkedIn member prevents them from messaging you further or sending additional invites and notifications. However, it does not remove existing conversations or visibility in all areas. Blocking provides separation on that account but not a complete solution in every scenario. Use the blocking feature selectively when needed to manage your feed and connections.
| Blocking Action | Impact on Past Interactions | Impact on Future Interactions |
|---|---|---|
| Block member from messaging | Existing messages remain visible | New messages are blocked |
| Block connection requests | Past requests remain pending | New requests blocked |
| Block invites and notifications | Previous invites remain visible | New invites/notifications blocked |
Key Takeaways
- Blocking prevents new messages, requests, and invitations
- Past interactions remain visible unless manually deleted
- Shared connections and some visibility remains
- Blocking is selective and can be undone
- Does not remove either person from shared groups
Frequently Asked Questions
Does blocking remove existing messages?
No, blocking does not automatically delete or remove previous conversations. Any messages sent before blocking will still be visible.
Can a blocked member see my profile?
A blocked member has limited visibility of your profile. They can only see your name, headline, and current company.
What if I change my mind and unblock someone?
You can go into Settings at any time and remove the block. This allows them to message you again and view your full profile.
Does blocking remove someone as a connection?
Typically no, but if you block someone you had previously accepted a connection request from, it will remove them as a connection.
Can I prevent someone from viewing my public posts and activity?
Not fully. Blocking limits visibility but public posts may still show up, especially to search engines. Complete separation is not guaranteed.
The Impact of Blocking on LinkedIn Visibility
Blocking on LinkedIn aims to limit unwanted communication and visibility. Here is a summary of the impact on visibility:
| Area | Visibility Impact |
|---|---|
| Full Profile | Hidden from blocked member |
| Public Activity | Limited visibility remains |
| Search Engines | Content still may appear |
| Shared Groups | Both remain members, limited interactions |
| Past Messages | Remain visible unless deleted |
As you can see, blocking does not guarantee complete separation but limits unwanted communication and visibility wherever possible on the platform.
Using Blocking Appropriately
Blocking can be a useful tool on LinkedIn when used appropriately. Here are some best practices:
Don’t block connections casually
Avoid blocking existing connections unless they are harassing you or spamming. Blocking should not be used casually.
Inform someone first if possible
Consider informing someone that you plan to block them and why. This avoids surprises and gives them a chance to address issues.
Use blocking for individual members
Block members individually as needed rather than large groups. Blocking is meant for specific one-off situations.
Remember it can be undone
Blocking is reversible. You can change settings and unblock someone later on if desired. Avoid hasty permanent decisions.
Examples of Appropriate Blocking Situations
Here are some examples where blocking may be appropriate:
– A member is harassing you with unwanted messages
– Someone is spamming you with irrelevant invites and promos
– An ex-partner is contacting you inappropriately post-breakup
– A previous coworker is viewing your profile in a way that makes you uncomfortable
– A salesperson is aggressively pitching you after requests to stop
– Recruiters are relentlessly headhunting you when you’re not interested
– A member is spreading false information about you in groups
– Someone is impersonating you and contacting your connections
Summary
Blocking should be reserved for situations causing you distress or harm. It provides separation from abusive, dangerous, or harassing members. Don’t use it as an ignore or mute function. First address issues respectfully if possible.
Alternatives to Blocking
In some cases, there are alternatives to completely blocking a member:
Unlink from connections
You can unlink from unwanted connections rather than block. This severs the connection without limiting all visibility.
Leave shared groups
If clashes arise in shared groups, you can simply leave those groups. This avoids needing to block someone.
Adjust privacy settings
Tweak your privacy settings to limit what connections can see. This reduces visibility without blocking.
Ignore invitations/messages
For mild annoyances, ignoring messages or invites may work rather than blocking entirely. The person may get the hint.
Speak to them first
When appropriate, have a polite conversation explaining why you are uncomfortable. Some issues can be resolved directly.
Report any harassment
If someone is harassing you, report them to LinkedIn before outright blocking. Harassment violates LinkedIn policies.
Pros of Blocking on LinkedIn
While blocking should be used carefully, here are some potential advantages:
- Prevents unwanted communication from a particular member
- Lets you avoid seeing messages from someone harassing you
- Limits visibility of your full profile to someone problematic
- Stops someone continuously sending you undesired invites
- Allows you to take control over who interacts with you
- Can help sever ties with an abusive or dangerous connection
- Admins can use it to moderate harassment in groups
When used appropriately in the right circumstances, blocking can be an effective self-protection tool.
Cons of Blocking on LinkedIn
However, some drawbacks also exist:
- Does not remove existing messages or invitations
- Can be seen as extreme if used without communicating why
- Prevents positive connections in shared groups
- Profiles remain visible to some extent in public areas
- Search engines still index blocked profiles
- Blocked members can create a new account
- You may later regret burning bridges with that connection
Blocking has limitations and should not be your only recourse in most cases. Consider alternatives first before outright blocking members.
Conclusion
Blocking on LinkedIn serves an important purpose when used properly. It allows members to protect themselves from harassment, abuse, and unwanted advances. However, it is a blunt solution that also limits positive interactions. Evaluate situations carefully before blocking and look for alternatives when feasible. Avoid reflexively blocking at the first annoyance. With mindful use, blocking can help maintain your peace of mind on LinkedIn when needed most.