LinkedIn allows users to delete messages they have sent, but only from their own inbox. There is no built-in way to delete a message you sent from both the sender’s and recipient’s inboxes. Once a message is sent on LinkedIn, it cannot be recalled or deleted from the recipient’s inbox. However, there are a couple of workaround methods you can try to essentially “delete” a sent message on both sides.
Understanding LinkedIn Messaging
The LinkedIn messaging system is designed to be a permanent record of conversations, similar to email. Once a message is sent, it remains in both the sender’s and recipient’s inboxes unless manually deleted. As the sender, you have control over deleting messages from your own inbox, but not the recipient’s inbox.
Some key facts about LinkedIn messaging:
- Messages cannot be recalled or deleted after sending.
- Senders can only delete messages from their own inbox, not the recipient’s.
- Recipients have full control over their inbox and can delete any messages.
- LinkedIn messaging is designed as a permanent record of conversations.
- There are no options for self-destructing or expiring messages.
Knowing these limitations is important in understanding why deleting a sent message on both sides is not straightforward on LinkedIn. The platform is designed without this ability, so any solutions require creative workarounds.
Asking the Recipient to Delete
The most direct way to have a sent message deleted from both sides is to simply ask the recipient to delete it from their inbox. As the sender, you only have control over removing it from your own inbox, but the recipient can delete it from theirs.
To do this:
- Send a follow-up message to the recipient asking them to delete your previous message.
- Politely explain that you would like the earlier message removed from the conversation thread.
- Optionally, you can provide a brief explanation for why you want it deleted.
- Ask them to confirm once they have deleted the message from their inbox.
- You delete the message from your sent items folder.
In most cases, recipients will delete a previous message at your request as a courtesy. However, this method does rely on the recipient voluntarily removing the message from their inbox.
Some tips when asking a recipient to delete a message:
- Be polite in your follow-up request and avoid demanding that they delete it.
- Explain why you want the message removed, if appropriate.
- Consider offering something in exchange, like connecting them with someone in your network.
- Follow up if they do not respond within a few days.
- Do not attempt to delete any inappropriate messages sent; own up to the mistake.
Sending a Retraction
If the recipient ignores your request or refuses to delete the previous message, another option is to send a retraction.
A retraction is where you send a new message acknowledging the earlier message was a mistake and you want to retract it from the record. This doesn’t delete the original message, but it establishes your wish to undo it.
To retract a sent message:
- Compose a new message to the recipient clearly stating you want to retract your previous message.
- Explicitly say that the earlier message does not represent your views, opinions, or wishes.
- Apologize for the problematic message and say it should be disregarded.
- State that you are retracting the message and request that they do not share it further.
- Thank them for allowing you to retract the unintended message.
A retraction may not prevent them from sharing the original message, but it shows you no longer stand by what was sent and want to void that message. Get written acknowledgement if possible.
Utilizing Account Settings
There are a couple of LinkedIn account settings related to messaging that can potentially help in deleting sent messages.
Removing Someone from Your Connections
If you remove someone from your LinkedIn connections, it will remove the message thread history you have with that person from your inbox. However, the messages will remain visible in their inbox.
To remove a connection on LinkedIn:
- Go to their profile and click the “More” icon in the top right corner.
- Select “Remove connection” to disconnect your accounts.
- Confirm removing the connection when prompted.
This will permanently delete your message history with that person from your inbox only. You lose access to those messages, but the recipient still has them.
Disabling Message Read Receipts
Another option is to disable read receipts for messages. This prevents the sender from knowing if and when you read their messages.
To do this:
With read receipts off, the sender will not get notifications when you read their messages. This includes previous messages sent before you disabled read receipts.
While you still have the messages in your inbox, this prevents the sender knowing you saw them. Use with caution, as consistently ignoring messages may damage business relationships.
Proactively Avoiding Message Issues
While you cannot directly delete messages already sent, there are some best practices that can help avoid wanting to delete LinkedIn messages in the first place:
- Proofread before sending: Catch embarrassing mistakes and unintended tones by re-reading all messages before sending.
- Watch casual language: Keep language professional even with connections you know well.
- No inappropriate content: Never send discriminatory, offensive or confidential company information.
- Confirm recipients: Double-check you are sending to the right connections before clicking send.
- Use organize feature: Mark messages for follow-up to avoid sending repeated requests.
- Pause when emotional: Avoid responding while overly emotional; wait and draft later.
Putting that extra care into your LinkedIn messages will minimize the need to ever worry about trying to delete or retract a sent message that becomes problematic or embarrassing.
Third-party Tools
There are a couple third-party tools and browser extensions that claim to be able to delete LinkedIn messages from both the sender and recipient inboxes. However, these do not actually delete the messages from LinkedIn’s servers.
They work by either:
- Hiding the message from view in your inbox
- Automatically deleting new incoming messages from a particular sender
The original messages still exist in the recipient’s inbox and on LinkedIn’s servers. Proceed with caution using third-party message deletion tools, as they may violate LinkedIn’s terms of service if used excessively and could risk account suspension.
Summary
While LinkedIn does not allow directly deleting sent messages from both sender and recipient inboxes, there are some workaround options, including:
- Asking the recipient to delete the message
- Sending a retraction
- Removing a connection
- Disabling read receipts
- Proactively avoiding message issues
Be thoughtful about the receiving party and do not delete messages solely to cover mistakes. Utilize the available options appropriately to essentially “delete” problematic messages from LinkedIn messaging conversations.