LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 740 million members. As a career-oriented platform, LinkedIn allows users to create professional profiles, connect with other professionals, find jobs, network, and more. One of the core features of LinkedIn is the ability to connect with other members by sending connection requests. However, some users have noticed that there is no longer a Connect button on LinkedIn profiles. There are a few reasons why LinkedIn removed this button.
LinkedIn’s Shift to Relationship-Based Connections
In 2017, LinkedIn removed the Connect button from profiles in favor of a more relationship-based approach to connections. The previous model allowed any LinkedIn member to send a connection request to any other member, even if they did not know each other. This led to lots of spam connection requests from people you don’t know.
To build a network based on meaningful relationships, LinkedIn shifted the focus to only allowing connection requests between members who already know each other in some capacity. Now when viewing someone’s profile, you will see options like “Follow”, “Message”, or “More” instead of the Connect button. You can still send a connection request by going to the More menu, but this extra step discourages spam requests.
Emphasis on Common Connections
With the Connect button gone, LinkedIn profiles now emphasize mutual connections with a statement like “You have X connections in common” under the member’s name. This draws attention to the people you likely both know to reinforce the idea that connections should be between professionals who already have some type of relationship or shared connection.
Seeing mutual connections makes it easier to identify colleagues, former coworkers, classmates, and others with whom you likely have an existing professional relationship. It serves as a reminder to request connections only with those you know versus strangers who you have no previous relationship with.
Reduced Low Quality Interactions
The open-ended ability for any member to connect with any other member led to lots of spam connection requests and random outreach. Removing the Connect button has helped reduce unsolicited communication and interaction from members you don’t know.
With the extra step of navigating to the More menu to request a connection, most users will only do so if they recognize the name or already have an established relationship. This reduces random connection requests, sales pitches, and other low quality interactions.
Increased Relevance of Feed Content
By focusing connections between members that already know each other, the content in users’ feeds becomes more relevant. When you connect with colleagues, former coworkers, classmates, and other professionals you have relationships with, their updates will be more useful and interesting to you.
In contrast, accepting connection requests from complete strangers typically resulted in irrelevant content flooding your feed. Removing the Connect button has improved feed quality by emphasizing networking between members who will provide valuable insights.
Encouraging Contact Before Connecting
Without a Connect button directly on profiles, LinkedIn wants members to communicate first before sending a connection request. Messaging someone to say hello or explain where you know them from establishes a relationship basis for the connection.
Sending a note also gives the recipient context for who you are and why you want to connect, whereas a random connection request can come across as spammy. Contacting first results in more meaningful connection requests between engaged professionals.
How to Connect with Someone on LinkedIn
While there is no longer a Connect button on profiles, you can still send connection requests by following these steps:
- Go to the profile of the LinkedIn member you would like to connect with.
- Click on the “More” button below their profile photo and name.
- Select “Connect” from the dropdown menu.
- Choose which group you would like to add them to (or choose “Connect directly”).
- Write an optional note to personalize the request.
- Click “Send” to send the connection request.
This slight inconvenience introduces some friction into the process, which results in higher quality connections between engaged professionals who know each other.
When You Should Send a Connection Request
As a relationship-focused platform, LinkedIn recommends only sending connection requests when:
- You already know the person professionally
- You have worked together in the past
- You went to the same school or have shared connections
- You met them in person at an event or conference
- They are in your industry and you have interacted before
Avoid sending random connection requests to LinkedIn members you have no relationship with just because you want to grow your network. Focus on making authentic connections.
Tips for Personalizing Connection Requests
To send less spammy connection requests, personalize each one with a message such as:
- Hi [name], I saw you worked at [company]. I just left there too – let’s connect!
- Hi [name], we haven’t talked since college but would love to reconnect.
- Hi [name], we met at [event] – I enjoyed chatting about [topic]. Let’s stay in touch!
- [Personalized compliment or comment about their work/background]
Taking the time to craft a genuine message helps build relationships and reinforces the idea that you want to connect because you already know them in some capacity.
Maintaining a Quality Network
While removing the Connect button introduced some friction into the process, the result is a higher quality network full of engaged professionals who you already know and who will provide relevant insights.
Focus on only connecting with people you have an existing relationship with, such as former colleagues, coworkers, classmates, event contacts, and those you’ve interacted with before. Avoid making random connection requests just to increase your number of contacts.
Nurture and engage with your connections by commenting on updates, sharing insights, and building relationships. This will lead to a strong professional network full of relevant contacts to help you advance your career.
Conclusion
LinkedIn removed the Connect button from profiles in order to shift the platform’s focus to relationship-driven connections between professionals who already know each other. While you can still send connection requests from the More menu, this change introduced some helpful friction into the process.
It reduces spam requests, increases feed relevance, encourages more meaningful outreach before connecting, and maintains network quality. When sending connection requests, personalize each one based on your existing professional relationship and keep your network full of contacts who provide value.
Year | Total LinkedIn Members | New Members Added |
---|---|---|
2009 | 48 million | 23 million |
2011 | 100 million | 52 million |
2013 | 225 million | 125 million |
2015 | 350 million | 125 million |
2017 | 500 million | 150 million |
2019 | 625 million | 125 million |
2021 | 740 million | 115 million |