If you’re serious about using LinkedIn professionally, maintaining the quality of your network is essential. Every connection should serve a purpose, whether it’s career growth, networking, or learning. However, there are times when you’ll need to cut ties with someone, and that’s where understanding how to delete a LinkedIn connection becomes crucial.
Sometimes, outdated contacts, irrelevant connections, or unwanted relationships can clutter your LinkedIn network and hurt your personal brand. In this article, I’m going to explain everything you need to know about how to delete a LinkedIn connection quietly and smartly, including: What is a LinkedIn connection?, Why you might need to remove a LinkedIn connection, Step-by-step guide on how to delete a LinkedIn connection, What happens after you delete a LinkedIn connection and Tips for managing awkward situations after deletion
Key Points
- Learning how to delete a LinkedIn connection helps you ensure that your connections stay aligned with your career goals and professional image. A clean, relevant network signals to others that you are serious and strategic about your professional relationships.
- The more relevant your LinkedIn connections, the more meaningful opportunities you attract — from job offers to partnerships. Deleting unnecessary connections clears the path for better, higher-quality interactions.
- Connections should evolve just like your career. It’s smart to remove outdated or irrelevant LinkedIn connections to keep your network fresh, valuable, and professional.
What is a LinkedIn Connection?
A LinkedIn connection is a professional relationship between two users who have mutually agreed to add each other to their networks. Connections on LinkedIn allow users to send messages directly, view full profiles, endorse skills, and engage with each other’s content easily. Managing your LinkedIn connections effectively is important, especially when learning how to delete a LinkedIn connection to keep your network clean and focused. If you no longer find a connection relevant or helpful, knowing how to delete a LinkedIn connection helps you maintain a network that truly reflects your professional goals.
How to Delete a LinkedIn Connection Step-by-Step
Deleting a LinkedIn connection is simple, and the good news is the other person won’t be notified when you do it. Here’s how to do it discreetly:
#1. From Your Connections List (Most Private Way)
- Log in to your LinkedIn account.
- Click on “My Network” at the top of your homepage.
- Select “Connections”.
- Use the search bar to find the person you want to remove.
- Next to their name, click “More” (three dots).
- Click “Remove Connection”.
- Confirm by clicking “Remove”.
That’s it! They won’t receive a notification, and unless they go looking for you, they likely won’t notice you’re no longer connected.
#2. From Their Profile (Less Recommended)
You can also delete a LinkedIn connection by visiting their profile:
- Click the “More” button under their profile picture.
- Select “Remove Connection”.
Warning: This method can be more noticeable if the person checks their profile analytics, although still discreet.
How to Build a Stronger Network After Deleting LinkedIn Connections
If you’re looking to expand your network afterwards, you need the right strategies to rebuild intentionally and meaningfully. Here are 10 smart ways to grow your network after learning how to delete a LinkedIn connection:
#1. Polish Your LinkedIn Profile
Before you try adding new connections, make sure your profile is polished and complete. Your headline, about section, experience, and skills should clearly explain who you are and what you offer. When someone visits your profile after you send a connection request, a clean and professional look makes a huge difference in getting accepted.
#2. Understand the Difference Between Followers and Connections
On LinkedIn, someone can either follow you (seeing your posts) or connect with you (mutual engagement). After you delete a LinkedIn connection, be intentional: focus on building real two-way connections that offer more than just a passive viewership.
#3. Set Realistic Growth Goals
Don’t aim to add hundreds of new connections overnight. Break your connection goals into small, weekly chunks. For example, add 15–20 new relevant connections each week instead of setting an overwhelming monthly goal. Consistency always wins over speed when building a high-quality network.
#4. Be Intentional About Invitations
After removing connections that don’t serve your professional goals, be selective about who you add next. Send personalised notes when connecting: mention a shared interest, mutual connections, or a common industry. A simple “Hi [Name], I came across your profile and would love to connect based on our shared work in [Industry]” goes a long way.
#5. Use LinkedIn’s Advanced Search Filters
LinkedIn offers powerful advanced search filters to help you find the right people:
- Filter by industry, location, company, job title, and more.
- Target people in your niche so every connection you build adds strategic value to your network.
This ensures your connections remain aligned with your professional goals, rather than random.
#6. Join LinkedIn Groups
Want to meet like-minded professionals easily? Join LinkedIn Groups related to your industry or interests. Groups give you access to people you otherwise wouldn’t find through basic networking. You can comment on discussions, post your insights, and build credibility organically.
#7. Post Regularly to Encourage Engagement
Stay active on LinkedIn after deleting unnecessary connections. Post updates, share articles, ask questions, and celebrate wins. The more you post, the more your current network interacts — and their interactions expose your posts to second- and third-degree connections who might send you invites!
#8. Use Visual Content to Increase Reach
Visuals are powerful. Posts with images, infographics, or short videos get significantly higher engagement. Next time you post a job update, share a tip, or post an achievement, add a photo or graphic to catch the eye.
#9. Write and Publish Articles
One of the best ways to establish expertise on LinkedIn is through LinkedIn Articles. Publishing valuable content not only builds authority but also attracts new professional connections who are impressed by your insights.
#10. Promote Your LinkedIn Profile
If you’re active elsewhere online — like Twitter, Instagram, your email signature, or even your website — include your LinkedIn profile link. Cross-promotion is a great, organic way to get discovered by potential connections without spamming anyone.
Why Building a Strong LinkedIn Network Matters (Even After Deleting Connections)
After you learn how to delete a LinkedIn connection, you might wonder: why should you keep working on building a bigger network? Here are 7 reasons why having a wider, quality LinkedIn network can push your career or business forward:
#1. LinkedIn Expands Your Professional Network
Every new connection opens a door to new industries, knowledge, and potential collaborations. Even if you value a deep network (strong ties with a few), a wide network gives you options across different fields. The more people you know — and who know you — the more potential paths you have for advice, partnerships, referrals, and opportunities.
Instead of staying locked in one small network, you build bridges to future clients, business partners, mentors, or employers. You delete inactive LinkedIn contacts — then connect with people in emerging industries like AI or green energy. Suddenly, you’re plugged into new conversations and innovations.
#2. More Connections = More Job and Business Opportunities
When a job or business opportunity arises, LinkedIn can show you who you know inside the company. The more connections you have, the more likely it is you’ll share a mutual contact with the decision-maker — which can help you get a powerful recommendation or introduction. A bigger, targeted network makes it easier to find job openings, freelance gigs, partnerships, and investment opportunities. When you spot an opportunity, you can quickly see if you share a mutual contact with the hiring manager or founder.
Those mutual connections can put in a good word and open doors that cold applications often can’t. You’re interested in a job at Company XYZ. Thanks to having 700+ quality connections, you realise you’re connected to one of their directors — and that connection helps your application get fast-tracked.
#3. Your LinkedIn Feed Becomes a Goldmine for Relevant Content
By connecting with professionals in your industry (or adjacent industries), your LinkedIn feed will stay highly relevant. You’ll see the latest articles, insights, job postings, and thought leadership — helping you stay sharp, informed, and ahead in your field.
#4. Your Achievements Gain More Visibility
Posting a promotion, new project, or award? A bigger network means more engagement — likes, comments, shares — exposing your success to even broader audiences. Each time your connections engage with your post, their connections might also see it, multiplying your reach naturally. When you share a promotion, launch a product, or win an award, your engaged network will like, comment, and share, boosting your visibility. LinkedIn’s algorithm promotes posts that get interaction fast. This means your achievements will reach a wider audience when you have a bigger, more active network.
You post about a speaking engagement. Your connections engage, and now your post reaches second- and third-degree connections including potential clients or employers you weren’t even targeting.
#5. Your LinkedIn Profile Gets Boosted
The LinkedIn algorithm favours active users with larger networks. When you grow your connections, your profile is more likely to appear in “People You May Know” suggestions and searches. This means higher profile views, more connection requests, and more opportunities coming your way. Connections matter when it comes to social proof on LinkedIn. After removing dead connections, you can focus on building endorsements for skills that actually matter to your career.
When your real connections endorse you, it builds instant credibility in the eyes of recruiters and potential partners. You deleted random connections. Now, former colleagues endorse you for key skills like SEO, project management, or sales strategy — and your profile looks even stronger.
#6. You Get Smarter, More Relevant Content in Your Feed
Once you’ve learnt how to delete a LinkedIn connection, you can refocus your feed. By connecting with professionals in your industry, you transform your LinkedIn feed into a daily stream of useful content. Instead of random posts, you see valuable articles, new research, and updates that make you smarter and more competitive. You remove connections who post irrelevant or spammy content. Now, when you scroll LinkedIn, you find meaningful updates about marketing trends, sales tips, or technology news, not motivational quotes with no substance.
#7. Your LinkedIn Profile Ranks Higher
Did you know that LinkedIn boosts profiles with strong networks? When you understand how to delete a LinkedIn connection wisely and keep growing strategically, your profile will be shown to more people, including recruiters. You’ll also appear more often in “People You May Know” and LinkedIn search results. This increases your chances of being contacted for job offers, consulting gigs, or media interviews. Because of your strong network, your profile shows up when recruiters search for “Marketing Manager in Atlanta” — even if you weren’t actively applying for jobs.
Will Someone Know if You Remove Them as a Connection on LinkedIn?
No, LinkedIn does not send notifications when you remove someone from your connections. Just as you won’t be notified if someone removes you, they won’t know if you remove them. This makes removing connections a completely anonymous process.
Is It Bad to Remove Connections on LinkedIn?
Not all of these connections should stay in your network and there are many benefits to removing them. These are the most common reasons: You get connected with a person just for the sake of keeping in touch. However, after some time, you realise they don’t add value to your network.
How Do I Unsend a Connection on LinkedIn?
Click the Sent tab under Manage invitations. Note: You’ll see a list of invitations you’ve sent to People, Pages, and Events that are still waiting for a response. Click Withdraw next to a recipient’s name. In the pop-up that appears, confirm your decision.
Conclusion
Learning how to delete a LinkedIn connection is just the beginning. Cleaning up your LinkedIn network isn’t only about removing inactive people — it’s about making space for growth, credibility, and new opportunities.The right network will help you advance your career, build influence, and stay connected to the industries that matter most.
The more meaningful your LinkedIn connections are, the more powerful your professional journey will become. It’s perfectly okay to prioritize your career goals and clean up your network without guilt. Just remember: always act with kindness and professionalism. A curated LinkedIn network is a powerful tool — make sure it truly represents the career path you want to build.
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