LinkedIn is a professional social networking site used by over 740 million members worldwide. It allows professionals to connect with each other, find jobs, share content, and build their professional brand. However, like any large online platform, LinkedIn also faces issues with spam and abuse. Spam refers to unsolicited, unwanted messages sent in mass. It includes messages with suspicious links, fake profiles, job scams, and other types of inappropriate content. If you receive spam messages or encounter fake profiles on LinkedIn, you can report them to help keep the community safe. But what exactly happens when you report spam on LinkedIn? Here is a closer look at the spam reporting process and how LinkedIn handles spam reports.
How to Report Spam on LinkedIn
Reporting spam on LinkedIn is easy. Here are the steps to report spam:
- Go to the profile or post with the spam content.
- Click on the “More” icon (three dots) next to the post or at the top of the profile.
- Select “Report/Block”.
- Choose the option “Report as spam or abuse”.
- Select the type of spam such as “Fake profile” or “Inappropriate message”.
- Add any additional details in the text box.
- Click Submit.
You can report spam from profiles, posts, messages, and comments. The report process is the same. When you report a profile as fake or spam, you automatically block that profile as well. You can also block a profile directly without reporting it.
What Happens When You Report Spam
So what happens after you hit submit on that spam report? Here are some key things:
LinkedIn Reviews the Report
All spam reports on LinkedIn are reviewed by its trust and safety team. They have dedicated staff who go through reports and evaluate if the content violates LinkedIn’s professional community policies. They determine if action needs to be taken and what that action should be based on the severity of the violation.
Offending Account May Be Restricted or Removed
If the reported profile or content is clearly spam, LinkedIn will remove it from their platform. For example, fake profiles using stock images or created solely for sending spam messages are usually quickly banned. If it is a borderline violation or first-time offense, LinkedIn may restrict the account temporarily instead of permanent removal. Restricting limits a user’s ability to interact on the platform.
You Get a Notification on Action Taken
LinkedIn will send you a notification when action is taken on your report. For privacy reasons, they do not specify exactly what they did, just that your report was reviewed and violations addressed appropriately. If no action was required, they will let you know as well.
Reported Content is Deleted
Any posts, messages, or comments reported as spam are deleted from LinkedIn so other members can no longer view them. Even if the account is not fully removed, individual pieces of violating content are taken down.
Algorithms Improved to Detect Future Spam
LinkedIn’s security algorithms examine reported spam to get better at recognizing suspicious patterns. Your report provides data to “teach” systems how to automatically detect and remove future spam.
What Types of Spam Can Be Reported
Any spam or inappropriate content can be reported on LinkedIn. Here are some common types of spam:
Fake Profiles
Profiles using fake names, stock images, and no real connections. They are often used for spreading spam or scams.
Job Scams
Fake job posts directing you to sketchy external sites that steal personal information or payment.
Phishing Messages
Messages with suspicious links attempting to steal login info or install malware.
Inappropriate Messages
Messages with offensive language or content not suitable for a professional environment.
Irrelevant Promotions
People or companies sending mass messages unrelated to your industry with promotional content.
Suspicious Links
Any links in posts or messages redirecting to sites known for spam, scams, or malware distribution.
Best Practices for Reporting Spam
To make sure the spam report process is effective, keep these best practices in mind:
- Report spam right away before more people are impacted.
- Provide detailed information in the report description to help LinkedIn investigate.
- Only report true violations, not just content you disagree with.
- Check back on your report within a few days to see if action was taken.
- Use additional LinkedIn security tools like customized trusted networks.
- Contact LinkedIn support if urgent or widespread spam issue.
Pros of Reporting Spam on LinkedIn
Reporting spam provides these beneficial outcomes:
- Helps keep your LinkedIn feed clear of unwanted content.
- Protects you and others from potentially dangerous spam messages.
- Improves overall LinkedIn community health when removed.
- Makes the platform more professional by eliminating inappropriate content.
- Limits spread of spam when accounts and posts are deleted.
- Better user experience for genuine networking and engagement.
Cons of Reporting Spam on LinkedIn
The potential downsides of reporting spam include:
- Time investment to report violations and follow up.
- Seeing offensive or upsetting content before it can be reported.
- Spam profiles can reappear if only temporarily restricted.
- Receiving retaliation messages from spammers whose accounts are limited.
- Temporary clutter in your network if contacts unknowingly share spam posts.
- Imperfect spam detection allowing some violations to go undetected.
Conclusion
Reporting spam is an important task on social platforms like LinkedIn. The spam report process allows genuine users to protect themselves and keep the community safe. While not perfect, LinkedIn does appear to take action when members report violations. By reviewing reports promptly, removing inappropriate content, restricting accounts, and improving security algorithms, LinkedIn aims to limit the spread and impact of spam. While seeing and dealing with spam can be annoying, taking a minute to report it leads to a better experience for everyone on the platform. By understanding exactly how LinkedIn handles spam reports, members can use this tool effectively as part of their regular social media hygiene and housekeeping.