LinkedIn is a popular social media platform used primarily for professional networking and career development. On LinkedIn, users can share content by posting articles, images, videos, and more to their own profile feed. Users can also share – or repost – content posted by other users or Pages by clicking the “Share” button. This creates a shared post that appears in the sharing user’s feed and is attributed back to the original poster.
One common question around sharing posts on LinkedIn is: what happens if you decide to delete a post that you’ve shared from your profile feed? Does it delete the original post for all users or just for you? Let’s take a closer look at how deleting shared posts works on LinkedIn.
Deleting a Shared Post
When you decide to delete a post you’ve shared, it will only remove it from your profile feed – not from LinkedIn entirely. The original post remains intact and visible to others who have shared it and the original poster.
Here are the key things to know about deleting shared posts on LinkedIn:
It Only Deletes the Shared Instance
Deleting a shared post only removes your shared instance of that content. The original post itself stays visible in the original poster’s profile feed as well as the feeds of anyone else who shared it.
Analytics are Reset
When you delete a shared post, the analytics on your shared instance – likes, comments, shares – are erased. This means any engagement on your repost of the content is removed. However, all metrics remain on the original post.
It Can Only Be Done by the Sharer
Only the user who shared the post can delete it. Other users or the original poster cannot delete your shared instance. You maintain full control over the content in your feed.
The Original Poster is Notified
When you delete a shared post, the original poster will get a notification that you are no longer sharing their content. This allows them to have visibility into how their content is being shared.
Scenarios Where You May Want to Delete
Why might you want to remove a shared post from your LinkedIn feed? There are a few common scenarios:
The Content is No Longer Relevant
Perhaps you shared an article or post that is tied to a specific event or moment in time that has now passed. Deleting outdated posts can help keep your feed fresh and relevant.
The Original Post Has Been Edited or Updated
Sometimes the original poster may edit their content after you’ve already shared it. If the edits significantly change the content you originally wanted to share, deleting your post avoids confusion.
You Want to Tidy Up Your Feed
Some LinkedIn users like to periodically prune old posts and declutter their profile feed. Deleting stale or outdated shared posts you no longer want attached to your profile is an easy way to freshen up your feed.
You Made a Mistake in Sharing
We all share things hastily from time to time. If you shared something without reading it thoroughly or later deemed it wasn’t appropriate or relevant for your audience, deleting it quickly helps minimize any unintended consequences.
How to Delete a Shared Post
Deleting a shared post on LinkedIn is simple:
On Desktop
- Go to your profile feed and locate the shared post you want to delete
- Click the three dots icon in the upper right corner of the post
- Select “Delete share” to remove it from your feed
On Mobile App
- Tap your profile icon and navigate to your feed
- Find the shared post and tap the three dots in the upper right corner
- Choose “Delete share” to delete it
That’s all there is to it! The shared post will immediately be removed from your profile.
Here is a quick table summarizing how to delete a shared post:
Platform | Steps to Delete |
---|---|
Desktop | Click the 3 dots > Select “Delete share” |
Mobile App | Tap the 3 dots > Choose “Delete share” |
What Happens When You Try to Share a Deleted Post
What if you try to reshare a post that the original poster has deleted? In most cases, you’ll get a notification saying the content is no longer available to share. Since the source post no longer exists, you can’t share it again.
However, there is one exception. If you or another user had already shared the post before the original poster deleted it, you may still be able to reshare the post from the user who had previously shared it. In this case, the content is preserved since it has been reposted by others.
Mistakes to Avoid When Deleting
When cleaning up your LinkedIn feed, there are a couple mistakes to avoid:
Accidental Mass Deleting
Use caution when selecting multiple posts to delete – make sure you intend to delete all content you have highlighted before confirming. Accidentally mass deleting posts can disrupt your sharing relationships.
Deleting Without Notifying
If you shared content as part of a partnership or mutual promotion agreement, it’s courtesy to notify the original poster that you need to remove a shared post and why. Transparent communication preserves relationships.
Conclusion
Deleting shared posts on LinkedIn only removes them from your unique profile feed – not the platform entirely. The original post and any other shared instances remain intact. This gives you full control over curating the content visible on your profile at any time. To keep your feed fresh and decluttered, periodically review old shared posts and delete any that are no longer relevant.