LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 690 million users worldwide. As a career-oriented social media platform, LinkedIn allows users to connect with professionals in their industry, search for jobs, follow companies, and stay updated on the latest business news. One of the core features of LinkedIn is the ability to connect with other users and build your professional network. However, some users have recently noticed that their LinkedIn connections seem to be disappearing or decreasing for no apparent reason. This article will examine some of the possible reasons why LinkedIn connections may disappear or reduce over time.
Reasons LinkedIn Connections May Disappear
Here are some potential explanations for disappearing LinkedIn connections:
Inactive Accounts
If someone has not logged into their LinkedIn account for an extended period, LinkedIn may eventually designate the account as inactive. Inactive accounts are essentially removed from the platform, and as a result, your connection to that person will disappear. LinkedIn does this to keep its user base up-to-date and remove unused accounts from cluttering up the network.
Deleted Accounts
Some LinkedIn users may decide to delete their accounts entirely. This permanently severs all of their LinkedIn connections. Reasons users might delete their accounts include changing careers, wanting greater online privacy, or simply not finding value in the platform anymore. When an account is deleted, there is no way to recover the lost connection.
Blocked Accounts
If another user blocks you on LinkedIn, they will be removed from your connections. Similarly, if you block someone, they will be removed from your network as well. Blocking is done for various reasons, such as cutting ties with a previous coworker or recruiter, avoiding spam/unwanted messages, or generally controlling one’s privacy.
Changed Settings
LinkedIn gives users the option to change their profile’s visibility settings. For example, users can choose to have a private profile that is unsearchable and removes all public indicators of their connections. If someone you are connected to toggles their profile to private or makes other changes to limit their visibility, they may disappear from your connections without any notice.
Bots and Fake Accounts
Like other social networks, LinkedIn suffers from bot accounts and fake profiles used for spreading spam, scraping data, and other malicious activities. LinkedIn employs algorithms and security measures to detect and remove such accounts. When a fake account you are connected to gets shut down, the connection will obviously be lost.
Connection Limits
LinkedIn has monthly limits on the number of connection requests you can send. Although the exact number is not publicly disclosed, it is intended to prevent spammy behavior. If you try to grow your network too fast by sending out the maximum requests every month, you may hit a point where your oldest connections start disappearing to make room for new ones.
Syncing Issues
In rare cases, connection loss may actually be due to a technical issue on LinkedIn’s end. Server errors, glitches, or app syncing failures could potentially lead to connections being inadvertently removed until the problem gets resolved. This is likely a temporary issue, though frustrating nonetheless.
Changing Relationship Dynamics
As circumstances change over time, some connections on LinkedIn may no longer make sense. For example, if you are laid off from a company, former coworkers and bosses may preemptively sever professional ties on LinkedIn. Similarly, if you switch industries or geographic locations, your existing network’s relevance may fade. Some users proactively “prune” their connections periodically based on such evolving factors.
Accidental Deletions
It is possible to accidentally delete or untag a LinkedIn connection while managing your account. For instance, bulk actions like deleting multiple messages at once could unintentionally remove connections if you aren’t careful. Most users don’t frequently audit their connection list, so they may only notice the error long after it occurred.
How Many Connections Can You Have on LinkedIn?
The maximum number of connections a LinkedIn user can have depends on their account type:
Account Type | Max Connections |
---|---|
Basic (Free) | 30,000 |
Premium Business | 40,000 |
Premium Career | 40,000 |
Sales Navigator Professional | 40,000 |
Recruiter Lite | 40,000 |
Recruiter | 40,000 |
Recruiter Corporate | 40,000 |
As you can see from the table, having a paid subscription level account affords a higher connection limit compared to the basic free account. However, even the maximum of 40,000 connections is realistically more than enough for the vast majority of users. Focus on having genuine, active connections that add value rather than trying to pad your stats.
How to See Your LinkedIn Connections
Here are the steps to view your full list of LinkedIn connections:
On Desktop
1. Go to LinkedIn.com and log into your account.
2. Move your cursor over the “My Network” section at the top of your homepage.
3. Click “Connections” from the dropdown menu.
4. This will bring you to the “Connections” page showing your full list of connections.
On Mobile App
1. Launch the LinkedIn mobile app on your device.
2. Tap on the three-line “hamburger” menu icon in the upper left corner.
3. Select “My Network” from the menu.
4. Tap on the “Connections” option.
5. You will now see your connections list.
Take the time to periodically review your list of connections on both desktop and mobile. This can help you monitor your network size and notice any unusual changes, such as connections disappearing.
How to Request Reconnecting with Lost Connections
If you notice connections have gone missing from your LinkedIn account, you have a few options to attempt reconnecting with them:
Search for Their Profile
– Use LinkedIn’s search bar to find their name or profile again. If the profile still exists, you can send a new connection invitation.
Look Up Old Messages
– Check your LinkedIn inbox for any old messages exchanged with that person. Their name should appear as a hyperlink you can click to view their profile and reconnect.
Export Connections
– LinkedIn allows you to export a list of your connections through your account settings. Compare an older exported file to your current connections list to identify missing profiles.
Browse Recent Activity
– The “Recent” section of your LinkedIn feed may still contain posts and interactions from the lost connection. Click on their name if they appear to re-send an invitation.
Search Email
– LinkedIn sends notifications when you establish new connections. Search your email archives for the person’s name to find clues about how to reconnect.
Ask Mutual Connections
– If you still know how to contact mutual connections, message them asking how you can get back in touch with the person.
Don’t be afraid to reach out – many users are happy to reconnect on LinkedIn as circumstances change over the years.
Tips to Avoid Losing Connections
Here are some tips to help preserve your valued LinkedIn connections over time:
Maintain an Active Presence
Stay engaged on LinkedIn by regularly posting updates, commenting on news, and reacting to other’s content. This keeps you visible and top of mind in your network.
Initiate Interactions
Occasionally reach out directly to connections to start meaningful conversations. Don’t just connect and forget – nurture relationships.
Monitor Notifications
Pay attention to notices about inactive accounts or connection requests approaching limits. Stay on top of changes.
Export Your Data
Download a copy of your profile data so you have records of connections if anything gets lost or deleted.
Organize Contacts Strategically
Use LinkedIn groups and tags to segment your most important connections for easier tracking and monitoring.
Follow Up on Changes
If you notice connections dropping, try to determine the reason early and address it quickly before the trail goes cold.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy LinkedIn network requires ongoing maintenance as people and circumstances naturally change over time. While frustrating, some loss of connections is inevitable. Stay actively engaged with your community, keep track of changes, and proactively nurture the relationships that matter most. With some diligence, you can limit unwanted connection erosion on LinkedIn.