Many LinkedIn users have tried to delete their accounts at some point, only to find that LinkedIn does not allow account deletion directly through their platform. This leaves users wondering why LinkedIn won’t let them delete their account.
There are a few reasons why LinkedIn prevents simple account deletion:
User Engagement
LinkedIn wants to keep users engaged on their platform to continue growing their user base. Allowing simple account deletion would make it too easy for users to leave.
By preventing account deletion, LinkedIn hopes users will remain active even if they are not fully satisfied with the platform. Some user engagement is better than none from LinkedIn’s perspective.
Data Collection
LinkedIn relies on gathering data about their users for advertising targeting and insights. More data leads to better ad targeting capabilities and a better understanding of their user base.
If users could easily delete their accounts, LinkedIn would lose access to that data. For a platform driven by data collection, this is an undesirable outcome.
Appearance of Larger User Base
LinkedIn advertises itself as the world’s largest professional networking platform. Part of maintaining this appearance involves keeping user accounts active even if the user is not participating anymore.
By preventing account deletion, LinkedIn can continue counting dormant accounts towards its total registered user number. A larger purported user base makes the platform more attractive to new users and advertisers.
How to Delete a LinkedIn Account
While LinkedIn does not allow straightforward account deletion, it is possible to delete your account if you follow these steps:
Step 1: Download your data
LinkedIn allows you to download an archive of your account data including your connections, posts, and profile information. You can request this archive from the Privacy & Settings section of your account.
Downloading this data allows you to retain a record of your LinkedIn activity before deletion.
Step 2: Close your account
From the Privacy & Settings section, you can select the option to close your account. Closing your account hides your profile and removes you from recommendations and notifications.
Your profile will not appear in search results. However, it can be reactivated if you log back in within 30 days.
Step 3: Request account deletion
After closing your account, you need to send a request to LinkedIn support to permanently delete your account. You can contact them through this form:
https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/ask/TSO-DAR
In your request, specify that you want your account to be permanently deleted and all your data removed from LinkedIn’s systems.
Step 4: Wait for account deletion
LinkedIn support will take approximately 30 days to process your deletion request. You will receive a confirmation email when your account has been fully deleted.
At that point, your profile, data, and account will no longer exist on LinkedIn. You will not be able to reactivate it.
Why LinkedIn Makes Deleting Your Account Difficult
As explained above, LinkedIn wants to discourage account deletion to retain data and active user counts. Here are some additional reasons why LinkedIn hinders account removal:
Discourage impulsive decisions
Requiring users to jump through hoops to delete accounts prevents impulsive decisions to leave the platform. LinkedIn wants account deletion to be a slower, deliberative process.
Many users who try deleting their account on a whim may be convinced to keep it after thinking through the multi-step process.
Leverage sunk cost bias
The sunk cost bias is the tendency for people to persist in something they have already invested time or money in. Since users put effort into building their LinkedIn presence, they are more reluctant to delete it completely.
LinkedIn amplifies this sunk cost effect by making account deletion difficult. This plays on people’s tendency to stick with their past investments.
Hope users return eventually
LinkedIn knows there is a possibility that users who delete their accounts may want to return to the platform down the line. Keeping accounts in a deactivated state allows for this possibility.
If disgruntled users had to build their profiles back up from scratch, they would be less likely to return to LinkedIn.
Pros of Deleting Your LinkedIn Account
While LinkedIn makes it intentionally difficult, there are some pros to completely removing your presence from their platform:
Stop unwanted notifications
Permanently deleting your account is the only way to fully stop notifications from LinkedIn. Disable notifications or closing your account will not prevent them entirely.
Deleting the account cuts off LinkedIn’s access to notify you via email or mobile.
Remove your data from their systems
Requesting account deletion removes all personally identifiable data from LinkedIn’s systems. This can be a great way to protect your privacy online.
Even deactivated accounts still store personal data. Deletion erases it completely.
Sever connections
Deleting your account removes all LinkedIn connections. Anyone you are connected with will no longer see you in their network.
This can be beneficial for making a clean break from certain professional connections.
Stop targeted ads
Permanently leaving LinkedIn means you will no longer receive targeted ads based on your profile and activity in their platform. It stops that advertising feedback loop.
Deactivating your account alone will not prevent LinkedIn from using your data for ad targeting.
No temptation to reactivate
Having the temptation to reactivate makes it difficult for some people to stay off of LinkedIn entirely.
Deleting the account removes the option to easily log back in. This can be helpful for certain individuals trying to move on.
Cons of Deleting Your LinkedIn Account
While deleting your LinkedIn account can be beneficial for the right reasons, there are some downsides to be aware of:
Lose access to connections
Removing your LinkedIn presence means losing direct access to your network of professional connections on the platform. Rebuilding that network elsewhere takes significant time.
Damage professional reputation
For some job roles and industries, having a strong LinkedIn presence is an important signal. Deleting your account can be perceived negatively or raise questions.
However, the impact depends on your specific profession and career goals. The reputation damage may be limited.
Lose out on opportunities
Many career and business opportunities stem from LinkedIn connections and notifications. By removing your presence, you are less likely to receive relevant alerts.
However, you can still find opportunities through other channels if you delete LinkedIn. You are not necessarily cut off entirely.
Can’t reactivate your account
The biggest risk is that deleting your account is permanent. If you later want to re-establish your LinkedIn presence, you have to start from scratch.
All of your old connections, content, and network will be gone unless you downloaded the data before deleting.
Alternatives to Deleting Your LinkedIn Account
Given the pros and cons, permanently deleting your LinkedIn may not make sense. Here are some alternatives to consider:
Deactivate account temporarily
Instead of deleting your account, you can deactivate it for a set period of time (up to 12 months). This pauses notifications and hides your profile while maintaining your data.
It gives you a break from LinkedIn without burning bridges permanently. Your account will still be there if you change your mind.
Increase privacy settings
Adjust your privacy configurations to limit the visibility of your profile and activity. Restrict insights that LinkedIn can gather about you.
While not as complete as deleting your account, increased privacy settings let you Use LinkedIn more selectively.
Gradually disengage
Rather than abruptly deleting your account, you can gradually disengage from LinkedIn over time. This avoids potential reputation damage from a sudden exit.
Check the platform less frequently, update your profile selectively, and allow connections to lapse naturally. Quietly winding down activity can achieve similar benefits to deleting your account.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Stop unwanted notifications | Lose access to connections |
Remove your data from their systems | Damage professional reputation |
Sever connections | Lose out on opportunities |
Stop targeted ads | Can’t reactivate your account |
No temptation to reactivate |
Conclusion
LinkedIn intentionally makes it difficult for users to delete their accounts, instead pushing them to temporarily deactivate. However, it is possible to permanently delete your LinkedIn if you request account removal through customer support.
Fully deleting your LinkedIn has certain benefits like removing your data and severing professional connections. But it also carries risks, such as losing your network and clouding your professional reputation. Consider both the pros and cons before deciding if permanent account deletion makes sense for your situation.
Alternatives like temporary deactivation or increasing privacy may achieve your goals without burning bridges. But for some, the benefits outweigh the costs and deleting their LinkedIn account entirely is the right path forward.