Deleting a LinkedIn post is a decision that requires careful consideration. On the one hand, deleting old posts can help present a more polished, up-to-date presence on LinkedIn. On the other hand, deleting posts means losing engagement and removing content that may still be relevant and valuable. There are pros and cons to weighing when deciding whether to remove previous LinkedIn posts.
The Pros of Deleting Old LinkedIn Posts
Here are some potential benefits of deleting old LinkedIn posts:
- Present a cleaner, more curated profile – Deleting outdated or irrelevant posts helps showcase only your best, most relevant content.
- Remove posts with poor engagement – Posts with few likes or comments clutter up your profile. Deleting them focuses attention on your popular posts.
- Eliminate mistakes or misinformation – We all make mistakes. Deleting incorrect or inaccurate posts protects your brand and expertise.
- Distance yourself from past employers – Erasing company-specific posts can help when changing jobs or industries.
- Start fresh with new connections – Pruning old posts allows making a good first impression with new network members.
In summary, deleting old LinkedIn posts can improve your profile by showcasing your best content, removing distractions, and presenting your current brand.
The Cons of Deleting Old LinkedIn Posts
However, there are also drawbacks to be aware of when deleting previous LinkedIn posts:
- Lose engagement and amplification – You sacrifice likes, comments, and shares gained on deleted posts.
- Erase your sharing history – Your activity of sharing others’ content disappears when you delete posts.
- Damage relationships – Connections may feel slighted if you delete posts featuring or mentioning them.
- Reduce content volume – Having fewer posts can make your profile seem less active and robust.
- Lose evergreen content – Some older content remains relevant but is removed by indiscriminate deleting.
In summary, deleting LinkedIn posts permanently erases your previous engagement and relationships. This can negatively impact your connections and profile breadth.
Best Practices for Deleting LinkedIn Posts
Since indiscriminate deleting has downsides, use these best practices when removing LinkedIn posts:
- Delete with a light touch – Be judicious and only remove truly irrelevant or detrimental posts.
- Keep evergreen content – Maintain older posts that showcase expertise if still accurate and useful.
- Review quarterly – Check your posts every 3 months or so to avoid large deletion projects.
- Replace deleted posts – Add new content to fill gaps left by removing posts and keep your profile active.
- Utilize other cleanup options – Rather than delete, you can hide posts from your profile or disconnect them from search results.
Being strategic when deleting old posts improves your profile without losing valuable content and connections.
Questions to Ask Before Deleting a LinkedIn Post
When evaluating whether to delete a specific LinkedIn post, ask yourself these key questions:
- Is this post outdated or no longer accurate? Outdated or incorrect information should be deleted.
- Does the post reflect badly on my personal brand? Delete posts with mistakes or unprofessional tone.
- Is the post irrelevant to my current career focus? Removing off-topic posts refocuses your profile.
- Does the post have good engagement? Consider keeping posts with high engagement.
- Is the content still unique and useful? Evergreen posts may still benefit connections.
- Are contacts featured or tagged? Don’t delete without their input.
If you answer “Yes” to one or more of these questions, deleting the post may be advisable. But also weigh the potential downsides before finalizing the decision.
How to Delete a LinkedIn Post
If you decide to delete a LinkedIn post after careful evaluation, here is how to remove it:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile page and click “See all activity.”
- Locate the post want to delete and click on the three dots icon in the upper right corner.
- Select “Delete this post” from the dropdown menu.
- Confirm the deletion in the pop-up window.
The post will be immediately removed from your profile and will no longer appear in other users’ feeds.
Alternatives to Deleting LinkedIn Posts
Rather than permanently deleting posts, you can also consider these alternative options:
- Disconnect the post from your profile – This removes the post from your profile but retains its visibility.
- Hide the post – Prevents the post from being displayed on your profile timeline but keeps it on your activity page.
- Turn off comments – Stops further comments if the discussion became unproductive or inappropriate.
- Edit the post – Update with clarifications or corrections rather than deleting.
These alternatives allow you to improve your profile while minimizing the potential downsides of deleting posts.
What Happens When You Delete a LinkedIn Post?
It’s important to understand the effects of deleting LinkedIn posts:
- The post is permanently removed from your profile and will no longer appear in other users’ feeds.
- Any likes, comments, or shares on the post are deleted.
- Any hashtags used in the post are disconnected.
- You lose the amplification and engagement value of the post.
- Connections may be confused or offended by disappeared mentions.
- It can be difficult to find the post URL to reshare in the future.
In essence, deleting a post erases it from LinkedIn like it never existed in the first place. Use this knowledge to make an informed decision.
Mistakes to Avoid When Deleting LinkedIn Posts
Be cautious of these common mistakes when deleting LinkedIn posts:
- Deleting in haste – Don’t mass delete posts in anger or as a knee-jerk reaction.
- Assuming connections won’t notice – Your network pays attention and may take offense.
- Deleting without an archiving plan – Have a way to retrieve posts’ content later if needed.
- Focusing only on newest content – Some older posts remain relevant and worthwhile.
- Forgetting your sharing history – You lose the record of content you shared by others.
Thoughtfully reflect before deleting and avoid these missteps that damage your brand and relationships.
Conclusion
Deleting previous LinkedIn posts allows curating your profile but also carries risk. Be selective and strategic when removing content. Consider alternatives like hiding or editing posts. Ask key questions before deleting and avoid common mistakes. Overall, maintain a polished profile without sacrificing your sharing history and connections. With forethought, you can delete LinkedIn posts judiciously and effectively.