There are a few ways someone may be able to tell if you disconnect from them on LinkedIn. However, LinkedIn does not directly notify connections when you disconnect. Here are some signs that may indicate you’ve disconnected from someone on LinkedIn:
Your profile photo and name disappear
If you disconnect from someone, your profile photo and name will no longer show up on their connections list. They would see an empty box where your profile used to be. This is the most obvious visual indication that you’ve disconnected.
Loss of shared connections and groups
When connected on LinkedIn, you can see the groups and connections you have in common with someone. Once disconnected, those shared connections and groups disappear from the other person’s profile. The loss of these shared elements is a clue you may have disconnected.
Loss of connection in messaging
If you’ve previously messaged with someone on LinkedIn and then disconnect, they will no longer be able to message you directly. If they try to message you again, they will get an error indicating they can’t message someone who isn’t a 1st-degree connection.
Your profile is no longer in their network
When someone views their LinkedIn network, connections are grouped by 1st, 2nd and 3rd-degree networks. Once disconnected, you would no longer appear in their 1st-degree network.
When does LinkedIn notify you?
LinkedIn does not proactively notify someone if you disconnect from them. The only notification is if the person tries to view your profile or message you directly and gets an error that you must connect to do so.
Some key things to know:
- No notification if you simply disconnect
- No notification if you block them after disconnecting
- Notification only if they try to view your profile or message you
The lack of direct notification is likely intended to avoid potentially awkward social situations stemming from a connection.
How to tell if someone disconnected from you
If you think someone may have disconnected from you on LinkedIn, here are some tips to investigate further:
Check your connections list
Look for the profile photo slot the person previously occupied in your connections list. If it is now empty, that indicates the disconnection.
Try to message them
Attempt to start a new message with the person. If you get an error indicating you can’t message someone who isn’t a 1st degree connection, they have likely disconnected.
Search for their profile
Do a profile search for the person on LinkedIn. If their profile is no longer visible in search results, that is a clear confirmation they have disconnected from you.
Reasons people disconnect on LinkedIn
There are a variety of reasons why someone may decide to disconnect from you on LinkedIn, including:
- Changing jobs and no longer needing the connection
- Transitioning to a new career field where the connection is less relevant
- Tidying up connections to focus on closer networking relationships
- Disconnecting from inactive connections
- Severing ties due to some conflict or disagreement
In most cases, it’s nothing personal if someone disconnects on LinkedIn. It’s typically just someone cleaning up their network for career or professional reasons.
Can you reconnect after disconnecting?
If someone disconnects from you or you disconnect from them, it is possible to reconnect in the future. To do so, you would need to send a new connection invitation which the other person would have to accept.
Here are some tips for attempting to reconnect:
- Include a customized invitation note highlighting the reason you would like to reconnect.
- Be gracious and avoid calling attention to the previous disconnection.
- Understand if the invitation is rejected or ignored they may not be interested in reconnecting.
- Consider if enough time has passed and the circumstances are right for reconnecting.
With care and sincerity, many disconnected LinkedIn relationships can be restored. But it’s important not to be pushy or overly persistent if the other person seems unreceptive.
Disconnecting gracefully
If you decide it’s time to disconnect from some of your LinkedIn contacts, try to do so gracefully without burning bridges:
- Avoid publicly calling out the disconnection or making critical statements.
- Don’t preemptively block the person, as that escalates tensions.
- If asked, provide a polite, professional reason for disconnecting.
- Leave room for reconnecting down the road if circumstances change.
- Clean up by removing likes, comments and mentions related to the person.
Handling disconnections maturely preserves your reputation and options for the future. LinkedIn is for the long haul, so don’t torch connections over temporary issues.
Conclusion
While LinkedIn doesn’t notify someone when you disconnect, there are observable signs like disappearing profile details and lost messaging ability. Motives for disconnecting can vary from job changes to spring cleaning contacts. With care, many severed ties can be mended through reconnection down the road. Approach disconnections gracefully, without burning bridges or making a dramatic statement. That preserves your professional standing and leaves the door open should your priorities shift.