There are a few ways you can tell if someone has disconnected from you on LinkedIn. Here are some signs to look out for:
Your connection count goes down
The most obvious sign is if you notice your connection count on your LinkedIn profile has decreased. Pay attention to the number of connections you have and see if it drops. If it does, it likely means someone you were connected to previously has disconnected from you.
You can no longer view their full profile
Try clicking on the profile of someone you think may have disconnected from you. If it takes you to a limited profile view rather than their full profile, that signifies they are no longer in your network.
Your messages to them fail to send
If you try to send someone a message on LinkedIn and receive a notification that the message could not be sent or that person is not in your network, it’s likely they have disconnected.
They disappear from your connections list
Go to your LinkedIn connections list and see if that person still shows up there. If not, they have definitely disconnected or deleted their account.
You see them under “People Also Viewed”
When viewing someone’s profile who you are not connected to, LinkedIn will sometimes show “People Also Viewed” suggesting connections. If you see a previously connected person show up there, it means they are no longer in your network.
You can send them an invite to connect
If you are able to send someone a connection invitation, rather than a message, it indicates you are not currently connected on LinkedIn and they have removed you from their connections.
Their name disappears from your past conversations
If you’ve messaged back and forth with someone on LinkedIn before, check your messages list. If their name no longer appears there, they likely disconnected.
They removed you from their connections list
To confirm if someone disconnected, go to their profile and click “See connections.” This will show you a truncated list of their connections. If you are no longer listed there, it is certain they removed you as a connection.
You get a notification about the change
In some cases, LinkedIn will actually notify you proactively when a connection removes you from their network. The notification will say something like “X is no longer part of your network.” So keep an eye out for messages like this.
Why Would Someone Disconnect You on LinkedIn?
There are a few common reasons why someone might remove you as a connection on LinkedIn, including:
- They are limiting their network size and removing weak or inactive connections
- They changed roles or companies and are removing connections irrelevant to their new situation
- You have not interacted much on LinkedIn and they don’t see you as an active part of their network
- They want to keep work connections separate from personal ones
- You have different views or values they find disagreeable or unprofessional
- They are concerned you might see updates about their job search or career changes
- You have over-messaged them without meaningful exchanges
- They mistakenly connected with you initially
- You have never met in person and the online-only connection does not serve them
In most cases, it’s nothing personal if a LinkedIn connection removes you. It’s typically just someone optimizing their network for their preferences and goals. Don’t take it as an insult if it happens to you.
Should You Reconnect with Them?
If you notice someone has disconnected from you on LinkedIn, should you try to reconnect? Here are some things to consider:
- Was the person an active, mutually beneficial connection? If so, it may be worth reaching out and politely asking if they would reconsider connecting. Mention why you valued the connection.
- Are you trying to reconnect for the right reasons? Don’t try to force a superficial connection just for the sake of your network size. Make sure you have a genuine interest in staying updated on their career and industry.
- Could the disconnection have been a mistake? If you can’t think of any reason why they would remove you intentionally, it may have been accidental. Let them know and see if they want to connect again.
- Have your circumstances changed substantially? If your job, industry, location or interests are now much more aligned than when you were originally connected, explain this. The change may make you a more relevant connection for them now.
- Is there a power imbalance? Be cautious about trying to force a connection if you are a superior, subordinate or vendor. You don’t want to make them uncomfortable.
- Is your intent clearly professional, not personal? Don’t make reconnection attempts with former colleagues or acquaintances seem overly familiar. Keep the focus on networking for career purposes.
With the right approach and rationale, reconnecting can be worth it. But accept it graciously if the person declines and move forward constructively.
How to Prevent Being Disconnected in the Future
To avoid being disconnected by your LinkedIn connections in the future, keep these tips in mind:
- Regularly engage with your connections – Like and comment on updates, participate in Groups together, and reach out to catch up.
- Only connect with those you know and respect – Avoid connecting with strangers just to increase your number of connections. Focus on quality over quantity.
- Provide value to your network – Share interesting articles, advice and opportunities that your connections will appreciate. Don’t just post self-promotions.
- Congratulate your connections on work anniversaries, new jobs and promotions – This shows you pay attention and care about their career progression.
- Follow up after making a new connection – Send a note reintroducing yourself and mentioning shared interests or contacts after connecting.
- Be thoughtful in your own profile and activity – Having a complete, professional profile and posting appropriate content demonstrates you take LinkedIn seriously.
- Periodically review your connections list – Prune any inactive connections proactively yourself to maintain a focused, up-to-date network.
- Don’t post overly frequent updates – Posting too much, especially if it’s not substantive content, can be annoying and make connections want to disconnect from you.
By consistently being a respectful, engaged member of your network, you are less likely to have LinkedIn connections remove you in the future.
Conclusion
Getting disconnected from on LinkedIn can be a bit jarring, but try not to take it too personally in most cases. It’s often just someone optimizing their connections, not a direct snub against you. Pay attention for the signs that it has happened and consider if the person is worth reconnecting with professionally. But otherwise, focus on continuing to build strong mutual relationships with your other LinkedIn connections.