LinkedIn is one of the most popular professional networking platforms, with over 800 million members worldwide as of 2022. Given how integral LinkedIn has become for establishing a professional online presence and networking, some users may wonder what happens if they stop using their LinkedIn account.
One common question is: does LinkedIn delete inactive accounts automatically? The short answer is no. LinkedIn does not automatically delete user accounts, even if they have been inactive for years. However, there are some caveats to this.
What happens to inactive LinkedIn accounts
If a LinkedIn user stops logging in and interacting with their account, LinkedIn will not automatically delete or deactivate the account. The profile and all the connections will remain intact unless the user decides to manually delete their account.
However, if an account remains completely inactive for a prolonged period, LinkedIn will restrict certain account functions. For example, inactive accounts may not show up in searches by other users, and notifications about new messages or connection requests may stop.
But the account and profile will still exist in LinkedIn’s database unless the user takes action to delete it. LinkedIn’s rationale is that professional connections and credentials do not disappear just because someone is not actively using the platform. Many users intend to return after a break, so deleting accounts automatically would undermine users’ career histories.
When does LinkedIn delete accounts?
LinkedIn will delete accounts in a few specific cases:
- User requests account deletion: Users can request to permanently delete their LinkedIn account through the platform’s privacy settings. Once confirmed, LinkedIn will remove the account and associated data from its databases.
- Prolonged inactivity + invalid email address: If an account email address becomes invalid (e.g. email domain no longer exists), and there is no other contact info on file, LinkedIn may eventually delete accounts after several years of inactivity.
- Violations of LinkedIn’s User Agreement: If an account is found to be fake, fraudulent, spreading spam, or otherwise violating LinkedIn’s policies, the account may get restricted or permanently removed.
But aside from these special cases, most inactive accounts remain in LinkedIn’s system indefinitely as long as the registered email or phone number is still valid.
Pros of LinkedIn not deleting inactive accounts
There are some advantages to LinkedIn’s policy of preserving inactive user profiles:
- Maintains professional history and connections. Deleting accounts would sever valuable professional connections and erase career histories many users want preserved.
- Allows returning after a break. Users can pick back up where they left off easily after a gap, since their profiles remain intact.
- Reflects real-world relationships. Just like in real life, professional connections and credentials don’t disappear when you are out of touch for a period.
- No risk of losing access erroneously. Important accounts are not mistakenly caught up in automatic deletion processes.
Cons of keeping inactive accounts
On the other hand, some downsides to LinkedIn’s approach include:
- Clutters platform with stale profiles. Very outdated inactive accounts with old job info clog up searches and networks.
- Bloats data and analytics. Inactive user data distorts LinkedIn’s statistics and algorithms.
- Raises privacy concerns. Contact info and other data remain visible indefinitely, even if user wants it deleted.
- Potential fraud risk. Fake or hacked accounts with lax oversight could abuse the platform and users.
How long do inactive LinkedIn accounts remain?
Essentially, inactive LinkedIn accounts can remain online indefinitely unless the user specifically requests deletion. There is no set time limit after which LinkedIn removes accounts.
Some accounts have remained completely untouched for 5-10+ years without being removed by LinkedIn’s systems. As long as the registered email address or phone number remains valid, the account persists.
Over time, very old inactive accounts may become practically invisible – they won’t show up in searches, notifications get cut off, etc. But technically they still exist within LinkedIn’s user data unless manually deleted.
Will LinkedIn ever delete inactive accounts automatically?
LinkedIn has not indicated any plans to institute automatic deletion policies for inactive or abandoned accounts. The platform is built around maintaining professional connections and credentials indefinitely.
However, LinkedIn does occasionally tweak its policies. For example, in the past LinkedIn gave users the option to automatically delete accounts upon death. More recently, this was changed to memorializing deceased users’ profiles.
So some future policy shifts around long-inactive accounts are possible, but likely not in the near term given LinkedIn’s current stance. Overall, expect LinkedIn accounts to remain intact unless users take action to remove them.
How to delete your inactive LinkedIn account
If you wish to permanently delete your inactive or unused LinkedIn account, you can do so through LinkedIn’s privacy settings:
- Log into your LinkedIn account
- Go to the Accounts & Settings page
- Under the “How LinkedIn uses your data” section, select “Change” next to “Closing your LinkedIn account”
- Follow the instructions to permanently close your account
LinkedIn will then begin permanently deleting your profile data, connections, posts etc. within 24 hours. This deletion cannot be reversed.
Some key things to know about deleting your account:
- You must have the password to log in – reset it if forgotten
- It can take up to 30 days for all cached data to be deleted
- Your public profile URL will show as unavailable
- People you are connected to will lose access to your profile
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn does not automatically delete or deactivate inactive accounts. Profiles remain online unless the user specifically requests account closure. While this persistent retention of professional profiles aligns with LinkedIn’s core purpose, it can also clutter the platform and raise some privacy considerations.
But those who wish to remove a LinkedIn account have the option to do so through account deletion settings. So controlling your LinkedIn presence ultimately remains in your hands as the account holder.