LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 690 million users worldwide. It allows you to connect with other professionals, search and apply for jobs, join industry groups, and more. One of the key features of LinkedIn is the ability to search for and connect with other users on the platform. However, LinkedIn does place certain restrictions on searching for other members in order to protect user privacy. There are a few key reasons why you may not be able to search for a specific person on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn’s Privacy Settings
The most common reason you cannot search for someone on LinkedIn is due to that user’s privacy settings. LinkedIn gives members control over their profiles and who can view their full profile and contact information. For example, a user can choose to be completely private where only their name and headline are visible, or they can choose to only be visible to their 1st-degree connections on LinkedIn. If you try to search for a user that has limited their profile visibility, you likely will not be able to find them in LinkedIn search unless you are already connected.
Inactive or Deleted Profiles
Another possibility is that the person you are searching for no longer has an active LinkedIn account. Users can deactivate or delete their LinkedIn profiles at any time. If the profile is deactivated, their public profile will not show up in search, but will remain visible to existing connections. However, if the profile is fully deleted, it will be completely removed from LinkedIn and will not show up in any search results. So if you try searching for someone who has deleted their account, you will not be able to find them on LinkedIn.
Name Ambiguity
LinkedIn search relies heavily on names. If the name you are searching for is very common, LinkedIn may return hundreds or thousands of users with similar names, making it difficult to find the exact person you are looking for. Things like nicknames, name changes due to marriage, and different spellings of the same name can all make searching by name alone challenging. Without additional info like location or company, an ambiguous name can be impossible to find.
Banned or Restricted Accounts
In some cases, LinkedIn may ban or restrict a user’s account due to violations of their terms of service. This could include things like spam, impersonation, cyberbullying, and other abusive behaviors. Banned accounts may be completely removed from LinkedIn so that they do not show up in any search results. Restricted accounts can have limitations placed on their profile visibility and searchability. Attempting to search for someone who has had their account banned or restricted will likely return no results.
Contacting LinkedIn
If you strongly believe the person you are searching for has an active LinkedIn account that should be findable, you can contact LinkedIn’s customer support for assistance. They may be able to help troubleshoot why you cannot locate a specific member through search. However, keep in mind that if the user has intentionally limited their profile visibility, LinkedIn will not reveal their private profile information without their consent.
When You Cannot Directly Message Someone on LinkedIn
LinkedIn allows members to communicate via direct messaging. However, there are limitations in place for who can message who. Here are some key reasons you may be unable to directly message another LinkedIn member:
Not Connected
On LinkedIn, you can only directly message users who you are connected with as a 1st-degree connection. If you try to message someone you are not connected to, you will receive an error. The only exception is if you have a paid Job Seeker subscription on LinkedIn, which allows you to send messages to anyone regardless of connection status.
Restricted Messaging Settings
Under their account settings, LinkedIn members can control who can send them messages. For example, someone may choose to only allow messages from their 1st-degree connections, or to completely disable direct messages. If the person you are trying to message has their settings restricted, your message attempts will be blocked.
Blocked Accounts
LinkedIn users have the ability to block specific members from viewing their profile or contacting them. If you have been blocked by another user, any attempts to view their profile or send a message will fail. You will not receive any indication that you have been blocked, it will simply appear as if the user does not exist.
Banned or Suspended Accounts
If your LinkedIn account has been banned due to terms of service violations, you will lose the ability to communicate with other members until the ban is lifted. Suspended accounts may also have restrictions on messaging functionality. Attempts to message others while banned or suspended will result in an error.
Inactive or Deleted Accounts
As mentioned previously, you cannot message LinkedIn members who have deactivated or deleted their accounts, as they will no longer have a presence on the platform. Any messages sent to an inactive account will fail to deliver.
Reaching Out to Connect First
If you are unable to directly message someone on LinkedIn, the best course of action is sending them an invite to connect. If they accept your connection request, you will then be able to communicate via messaging. If your connection request is ignored or declined, they likely do not wish to communicate at this time.
Alternative Contact Methods
If you need to get in touch with a LinkedIn member but cannot message them directly on the platform itself, here are some alternative methods you can try:
Through a Mutual Connection
See if you share any 1st-degree connections with this person, and reach out to ask your mutual connection for an introduction. This can be an effective way to open communication channels when messaging is restricted.
Their Company Website
Many LinkedIn profiles include a link to the user’s company website. You may be able to find their business email address or contact form on their company site.
Other Social Media
Check to see if the LinkedIn member has public profiles on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram that allow direct messaging. Reaching out through other social networks can sometimes work.
Phone & Email
While LinkedIn has discontinued the ability to request someone’s full contact details, premium account holders can still export limited profiles data to Excel. This may contain the user’s phone number or email, but should be used judiciously. Cold-calling people can come across as invasive.
InMail on LinkedIn
With a premium LinkedIn account, you can purchase credits to send InMail messages to members you are not connected with. InMail provides a way to directly contact anyone on LinkedIn regardless of relationship status. However, recipients may still disregard unsolicited InMails.
Shared Connections and Warm Introductions
Getting a mutual connection to provide a warm introduction is often the most effective way to establish contact and build trust. A personal referral goes a lot further than cold outreach.
When You Should Not Attempt to Contact Someone on LinkedIn
While there are workarounds to connect with LinkedIn members you cannot message directly, it is important to respect people’s privacy and preferences on the platform. Here are some scenarios where you should avoid attempting contact on LinkedIn:
Profile States Not Seeking Opportunities
If someone’s profile clearly says they are not interested in job offers, new ventures, or partnership opportunities, do not try to solicit them. Respect their stated wishes.
Recruiting Someone Who is Not Actively Job Seeking
It is generally frowned upon to aggressively recruit people who have not indicated they are looking for a new job. Avoid invading someone’s privacy just because you want to poach them.
Potential Harassment or Bullying
Never use LinkedIn messaging as a channel for harassment, bullying, threats, or unwanted romantic advances. This can have legal consequences.
Attempting to Bypass Restrictions
If someone has intentionally restricted their profile or messages, trying to contact them against their wishes is inappropriate. Do not attempt to bypass their preferences.
Spam or Mass Messaging
Sending copy-pasted messages to promote products, services, or opportunities is considered spam behavior on LinkedIn. Mass messaging people is ineffective and can get you banned.
Making Threats or Inappropriate Propositions
Do not ever use LinkedIn messaging for anything unlawful, defamatory, discriminatory or unethical. This includes threats of violence, blackmail, and other serious violations.
When in Doubt, Do Not Contact
If you lack a legitimate, personal reason for needing to communicate with someone on LinkedIn, it’s best not to attempt contact. Cold outreach should be avoided.
Best Practices for Professional LinkedIn Communication
When you do have a valid, professional reason for needing to contact someone on LinkedIn, follow these best practices:
Be Relevant and Personalized
Avoid any generic, mass-messaging behavior. Tailor your communication to the individual specifically. Demonstrate you have a valid reason for contacting them.
Be Transparent About Your Intent
State your purpose clearly upfront. Do not try to manipulate or trick someone into engaging. Be authentic.
Keep Communication Professional
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform. Communication should be formal and business-appropriate. Avoid overly casual language.
Be Patient
Understand that people on LinkedIn may not see or respond to your messages right away. Give them reasonable time to respond before following up.
Accept Rejection Gracefully
If someone does not respond or declines your request, accept it politely and do not harass them. Move on respectfully.
Provide Value, Not Just Requests
Look for opportunities to offer something helpful or valuable to others on LinkedIn, not just make asks. Building relationships takes give and take.
Follow LinkedIn’s Policies
Always adhere to LinkedIn’s terms of service. They prohibit spam, harassment, impersonation, and other policy violations that can create account restrictions.
Use Common Sense and Good Judgement
If your communication would seem inappropriate, invasive, or unethical in-person, it will be equally unacceptable on LinkedIn. Let ethics guide your conduct.
Conclusion
LinkedIn offers powerful communication and networking opportunities, but with limitations to protect user privacy and preferences. There are appropriate and inappropriate ways to attempt contacting people on the platform. To build relationships and engage professionally, focus on creating value rather than just making asks. With good judgment and respect for others, LinkedIn can facilitate meaningful connections.