Your LinkedIn connections are a valuable asset, but leaving them exposed can give competitors easy access to your network. By default, LinkedIn allows your 1st-degree connections to view your entire list of connections, which can be risky for professionals in competitive industries. Here’s how to protect your network:
- Restrict connection visibility: Change your privacy settings to "Only you" to hide your connections list.
- Be cautious with competitors: Avoid connecting with direct competitors who might exploit your network.
- Regularly review settings: LinkedIn updates its features frequently, so check your privacy controls monthly.
- Use advanced features: Enable private mode, limit profile visibility, and turn off activity broadcasts to maintain discretion.
- Stay vigilant: Audit your connections periodically to ensure your network remains secure.
These steps help safeguard your professional relationships while maintaining control over your LinkedIn presence.
How to Hide Your LinkedIn Connections from Competitors
How LinkedIn Connection Visibility Works
By default, LinkedIn allows your 1st-degree connections to view your entire list of connections[1][2]. Additionally, your full profile – including details like work history, skills, and the structure of your network – is visible to all logged-in members[2]. For profiles with over 500 connections, LinkedIn displays ‘500+’ instead of the exact number, but the ‘See Connections’ option remains accessible[3]. This means anyone you connect with can gain insight into your network, including customers and prospects.
If you’re using tools like Sales Navigator or are part of TeamLink, you’ll need to take extra measures to fully secure your connection visibility[1]. These default settings highlight how much information about your network is readily available.
What Mutual Connections Reveal About Your Network
Even if you hide your full connections list, mutual connections can still reveal shared contacts[2][5]. As Bardeen.ai explains:
"However, even if a 1st-degree connection hides their full connections list from you, you’ll still be able to see any mutual connections you share with them"[5].
This feature makes mutual connections highly visible on profiles, which can allow competitors to piece together parts of your network. Even without direct access to your full list, this indirect exposure could potentially weaken your competitive position.
How to Change LinkedIn Privacy Settings to Hide Connections
By default, LinkedIn makes your connections visible to others, which might not always be ideal. Thankfully, you can tweak your settings to keep your network private. Here’s how to do it – and what these changes won’t cover.
Step-by-Step Guide to Hide Your Connections
Access your privacy settings by clicking your profile picture in the upper-right corner of LinkedIn’s homepage. From the dropdown menu, choose "Settings & Privacy" [7]. If you want to skip a few steps, just type https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/ into your browser’s address bar [6].
Go to the Visibility tab on the left-hand side of the settings page. This is where you control what parts of your profile and activity are visible to others [7].
Locate the connections setting by scrolling to the "Visibility of your profile & network" section. Click on "Connections", which is set to "Your connections" by default. Here, you can adjust who can see your network [7].
Switch to "Only you" to make your connections list private. Once this is done, no one else on LinkedIn will be able to view your connections [7].
However, it’s important to understand what this change does – and doesn’t – do.
What These Privacy Changes Don’t Hide
While hiding your connections list adds a layer of privacy, there are still some limitations to be aware of:
- Mutual connections remain visible. Even with your settings adjusted, LinkedIn users can still see mutual connections on profiles [7].
- Partner platforms might still show your connections. If you’ve synced your LinkedIn account with partner services, your connections could still appear there. To prevent this, you’ll need to adjust your visibility settings on those platforms separately [1].
- New connections may still appear in activity feeds. When you connect with someone, that update can still show up in your network’s feed, potentially revealing recent additions to your list [1].
- Sales Navigator and TeamLink users require extra steps. These LinkedIn tools operate under different privacy rules, so additional measures are needed to fully hide your connections from users of these services [1].
- Selective hiding isn’t possible. LinkedIn’s privacy settings apply universally, meaning you can’t choose to hide your connections from specific individuals – especially those who’ve already hidden their own connections [1].
Taking control of your LinkedIn privacy settings is a smart way to protect your professional network, but it’s worth keeping these limitations in mind as you make adjustments.
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Best Practices to Protect Your LinkedIn Network
Safeguarding your LinkedIn network goes beyond tweaking privacy settings – it calls for a thoughtful strategy in managing your connections and staying vigilant about potential risks.
Avoid Connecting with Direct Competitors
Connecting with competitors can inadvertently expose your professional network. LinkedIn expert Wayne Breitbarth puts it bluntly:
"Are you nuts? Why would you want to hand over your database of prospects and customers to a competitor?"[8]
By linking up with competitors, you could unintentionally reveal key contacts, including prospects, clients, and industry insiders – especially if your connection visibility isn’t set to "Only you." Relationships can shift over time, so it’s wise to routinely review your connections. This helps you identify and address any that might now pose a security risk.
Review Privacy Settings Regularly
LinkedIn frequently updates its platform, which can sometimes alter your privacy settings without notice. To stay ahead, set a monthly reminder to check your LinkedIn privacy controls. Make sure your connection visibility is set to "Only you", and look for any new features that might affect the security of your network. While you’re at it, take the opportunity to audit your connections for any that might raise concerns. A little diligence goes a long way in keeping your network safe.
Advanced Tools and Methods for Network Protection
LinkedIn provides more than just basic privacy settings – it offers a range of advanced features designed to help you safeguard your professional network. These tools ensure you stay in control of who can view your activity and connections, giving you peace of mind while navigating the platform.
Use LinkedIn’s Private Mode and Profile Controls
One of the standout features is Private Mode, which lets you browse profiles anonymously. When you activate this setting (found under Settings & Privacy > Visibility > Visibility of your LinkedIn activity > Profile viewing options), your visits show up as "an anonymous LinkedIn member" to the profiles you view [9]. This is especially useful when researching competitors or prospects, as it keeps your activities discreet.
Another helpful feature is the profile photo visibility setting. By limiting visibility to "Your connections only" or "Only you" (Settings & Privacy > Visibility > Visibility of your profile & network), you make it harder for competitors to identify or remember you [9][4][2].
For even more control, the public profile visibility setting allows you to restrict access to your profile from outside LinkedIn. Turning off "Your profile’s public visibility" ensures your information doesn’t appear in search engine results on platforms like Google, Bing, or Yahoo [9][4]. You can also fine-tune which sections of your profile remain visible, offering precise control over what others can see.
Lastly, activity broadcast controls keep your network in the dark about updates to your profile or other platform activities. By disabling "Share profile updates with your network" (Settings & Privacy > Visibility > Visibility of your LinkedIn activity), you can quietly explore new opportunities or follow companies without drawing attention. These features are especially important when researching markets or prospects you’re not ready to disclose.
How Closely Protects Your Network During Outreach
For those using automated outreach tools, Closely adds an extra layer of security to your LinkedIn activities. It’s designed to protect your account while ensuring your outreach remains discreet and effective.
One key feature is its smart limits, which cap outreach to 100 invitations per week. Combined with a warm-up mode that gradually increases activity, this mimics natural usage patterns, reducing the likelihood of account restrictions that could expose your actions to competitors.
Closely also employs residential proxy protection, assigning each account a unique IP address. This makes it nearly impossible for competitors – or LinkedIn itself – to trace automated activities back to your organization. This is particularly valuable for large-scale prospecting campaigns, where unusual activity might otherwise raise red flags.
Additionally, its cloud-based operation allows campaigns to run continuously without requiring your computer to stay connected [10]. This eliminates the risk of irregular connection patterns, further safeguarding your account and keeping your outreach schedule under wraps.
Privacy vs. Networking: Finding the Right Balance
Balancing privacy and networking is key to maintaining a secure yet effective LinkedIn presence. While tighter privacy settings offer greater protection, they can limit your visibility and networking opportunities. The challenge lies in finding the right mix based on your professional goals.
| Privacy Level | Connection Visibility | Profile Discoverability | Networking Impact | Competitive Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Privacy | Only you can see connections | Hidden from search engines | Limited inbound opportunities | Highest protection |
| Moderate Privacy | Connections visible to your network | Visible to LinkedIn members only | Balanced networking potential | Good protection |
| Standard Settings | Public connection list | Full search engine visibility | Maximum networking reach | Minimal protection |
For executive recruiters or M&A advisors, maximum privacy is often the best choice. Their work depends on confidentiality, and protecting client relationships outweighs the potential benefits of increased visibility.
On the other hand, sales professionals and business developers often lean toward moderate privacy settings. This approach hides their connections from public view but keeps their profiles discoverable within LinkedIn, striking a balance between security and networking.
Meanwhile, entrepreneurs and consultants may prefer more open settings to maximize visibility and networking opportunities. However, they should regularly review their connections, removing any that could pose competitive risks. Ultimately, the goal is to stay aware of who can access your network and adjust your settings based on your current priorities and needs.
Conclusion: Keep Control of Your LinkedIn Connections
Safeguarding your LinkedIn connections isn’t just a matter of privacy – it’s about protecting the relationships and opportunities that give your business a competitive edge. A good starting point is adjusting your connection visibility to "Only you" and regularly reviewing your privacy settings to limit competitor access to your network [7][11][12]. For an added layer of security, enabling features like private mode can help keep your activity discreet. Once these measures are in place, make it a habit to revisit and refine your strategy.
Conducting monthly privacy audits is key to staying ahead. LinkedIn frequently updates its features, and your business needs evolve over time. What worked last month might not be enough today. By reviewing your settings regularly, you ensure they align with your current goals and challenges.
Striking the right balance between privacy and networking is essential. If your settings are too restrictive, you might miss out on valuable connections. On the other hand, being too open could expose your network to competitors. A layered approach – starting with basic privacy tweaks and extending to advanced tools – helps you navigate this balance effectively.
For those using advanced outreach tools, combining LinkedIn’s built-in privacy features with external tools like Closely can provide additional safeguards. These tools allow for discreet prospecting while keeping your account secure.
Remember, protecting your network isn’t a one-and-done task. As your business grows and the competitive landscape shifts, your privacy strategy should evolve too. Regular updates to your settings help secure your key connections while still allowing your network to expand.
Your LinkedIn network is more than a list of contacts – it’s the result of years of effort, relationship-building, and business development. By controlling access to it, you’re not just protecting your connections; you’re preserving the competitive advantage you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
FAQs
How can I stop competitors from seeing my LinkedIn connections?
To safeguard your LinkedIn connections and keep your network out of competitors’ reach, you can adjust your visibility settings. Simply navigate to Settings & Privacy, then head to Visibility and select Connections. Here, switch the setting to ‘Only Me’ to make sure your connections stay private.
It’s worth noting that while this setting hides your connections from most users, any mutual connections you share with someone might still be visible. For added protection, take a moment to review any third-party apps or integrations connected to your LinkedIn account. Adjust their permissions to reduce unnecessary exposure.
How can I protect my LinkedIn connections when using tools like Sales Navigator or TeamLink?
To protect your LinkedIn connections while using tools like Sales Navigator or TeamLink, start by modifying the TeamLink settings to minimize how much of your network is visible to colleagues. You can also tweak your privacy settings to decide who gets to see your connections and activity on your profile.
Another key step is enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) for an added layer of account security. It’s also wise to regularly check your admin controls to ensure that only trusted team members have access to sensitive connection data. These measures can help you safeguard your professional network and keep it secure.
How can I protect my LinkedIn connections while still building my professional network?
To keep your LinkedIn connections secure while still networking effectively, start by tweaking your privacy settings. You can decide who gets to see your connections – whether it’s just you or a select group of trusted contacts. Simply head to your privacy options and adjust settings like connection visibility and how others view your profile.
Also, think carefully about the kind of information you post. Skip sharing sensitive details or anything that might give competitors an edge. Instead, focus on posting professional milestones or insights that boost your credibility without putting your network at risk. With smart visibility management, you can maintain a strong LinkedIn presence while keeping your connections protected.