Removing LinkedIn connections can be done privately, without the other person being notified. This allows you to manage your network discreetly and keep it aligned with your professional goals. Here’s how:
- No Notifications: LinkedIn doesn’t alert users when you remove them or withdraw a connection request.
- Desktop Steps: Go to My Network, click See all connections, find the person, and select Remove connection from the menu.
- Mobile Steps: Use the Connections list or visit their profile, tap the three dots, and choose Remove Connection.
- Unfollow Option: If you don’t want to cut ties completely, use the Unfollow feature to stop seeing their updates without removing them.
- Privacy Tips: Adjust your LinkedIn settings, like turning off your active status, to avoid drawing attention to your activity.
How To Remove A Connection From Linkedin Without Them Knowing 2025 (iPhone & Android)
How LinkedIn Connection Removal Privacy Works
LinkedIn has designed its platform to make managing your network a private affair. Its no-notification policy ensures that when you remove a connection or withdraw an invitation, the process remains discreet, sparing you from any awkward follow-ups.
No Notifications for Connection Removal
When you decide to remove someone from your LinkedIn network or retract a pending invitation, LinkedIn doesn’t send out any alerts, emails, or notifications. This means you can tidy up your connections without worrying about offending anyone.
"When you remove a connection, they won’t be notified." – Social Media for Learning [4]
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"If you withdraw an invitation, the recipient won’t be notified." – LinkedIn Help [3]
That said, removing a connection does have permanent consequences. Any endorsements or recommendations shared between you and the removed connection will disappear and won’t return, even if you reconnect later. Plus, only you will have the ability to send a new connection request in the future.
If you’re looking to take your privacy a step further, consider tweaking your activity settings to avoid leaving indirect signals of changes.
Activity Traces to Avoid
Although LinkedIn won’t notify someone when you remove them, your activity on the platform could still draw attention. Adjusting your settings can help keep your actions under the radar.
Privacy Settings That Matter
To maintain discretion, fine-tune your privacy settings. For instance, turning off your active status can help mask any changes in your network and give you greater control over how visible your activity is to others.
Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Connections
Here’s how you can discreetly manage and remove connections on LinkedIn, whether you’re using a desktop or mobile device.
Remove Connections on Desktop
Using LinkedIn on your desktop is one of the easiest ways to manage your network, especially if you’re looking to remove multiple connections efficiently.
Start by navigating to the My Network page from the top navigation bar. Next, click on "See all connections" or head directly to your Connections page. This method is especially convenient because it allows you to remove connections without visiting their profiles, avoiding any unnecessary profile visits.
Once on your Connections page, use the search bar to find the person you want to remove. Next to their name and profile details, you’ll see a "Message" button and three dots ("More" menu). Click the three dots to open additional options.
From the dropdown menu, select "Remove connection." LinkedIn will prompt you with a confirmation popup. Simply click "Remove" to finalize the action. The connection will be removed instantly, and as mentioned before, they won’t be notified about this change.
If you’re on the move, you can achieve the same result using the LinkedIn mobile app.
Remove Connections on Mobile
The LinkedIn mobile app provides two simple ways to remove connections.
Method 1: Use the Connections List
Tap your profile picture in the top-left corner of the app to open your profile menu. From there, select "Connections" to see your network. Use the search bar to locate the person you want to remove. Once you find them, tap the three dots next to their name, choose "Remove Connection," and confirm your decision.
Method 2: Visit Their Profile
Alternatively, you can go directly to the person’s profile. Open the LinkedIn app and navigate to the profile of the connection you wish to remove. Look for the "More…" button (three dots) near the top of their profile. Tap it to reveal options, then select "Remove Connection." Confirm the action when prompted, and the connection will be removed.
Using the first method is more discreet since it avoids profile visits.
If you’re not ready to completely sever ties, consider using LinkedIn’s Unfollow feature instead.
Use the Unfollow Feature Instead
Sometimes, removing a connection feels too final. LinkedIn’s "Unfollow" feature is a great alternative that allows you to stop seeing someone’s updates without ending the professional relationship.
This option is ideal if you want to keep the connection for potential future opportunities but prefer not to see their posts in your feed. For example, they might share content that’s irrelevant to your interests or post too often about topics unrelated to your field.
To unfollow someone, visit their profile and look for the "Following" button (if you’re currently following them) or the "Follow" toggle. Click or tap this button to stop seeing their updates in your feed. The best part? This action is reversible – you can follow them again anytime without needing to send a new connection request.
Unfollowing is particularly useful for connections who occasionally share valuable insights but tend to over-post. You’ll still be able to message them, view their profile, and maintain the professional relationship, but their posts won’t crowd your feed.
Keep in mind, removing a connection has permanent effects. For instance, any endorsements or recommendations you’ve exchanged will disappear and won’t be restored, even if you reconnect later. If you’re unsure about cutting ties completely, unfollowing might be the better route.
When and Why to Remove LinkedIn Connections
Once you’ve mastered the art of discreetly removing connections, it’s time to think about how your network aligns with your current career goals. Deciding when to remove LinkedIn connections isn’t just about cleaning up your contact list – it’s about shaping a network that supports your professional growth and objectives.
Professional Relationship Changes
Career shifts often create natural moments to reevaluate your network. When you change industries, take on a new role, or shift your business focus, some connections may no longer align with your goals.
For instance, if you’ve transitioned to a completely new field, keeping connections that no longer add value to your career or theirs might not make sense. On the other hand, if you’ve switched roles within the same industry, you may need to consider whether connections with former colleagues – especially those now working at competitors – could pose conflicts of interest. This is particularly relevant in roles involving sensitive information or client relationships. In such cases, removing these connections can help maintain professional boundaries and avoid misunderstandings.
Similarly, connections from business relationships that ended poorly, whether due to a failed partnership, a soured client relationship, or a vendor conflict, may no longer serve a positive purpose. Removing these connections can help you avoid unnecessary tension or awkwardness.
Next, think about connections that simply don’t contribute to your professional life anymore.
Inappropriate or Irrelevant Connections
Not all connections belong in a professional network. Spam accounts, fake profiles, or contacts that regularly share inappropriate or unprofessional content can harm your reputation by association. Removing these connections is a simple way to protect your professional image.
You might also have outdated connections – people you added years ago from college, previous jobs, or one-off networking events. If you can’t remember how you know someone or why you connected, they’re probably not adding any value to your current career goals.
Network Optimization for Business Goals
If your LinkedIn presence directly impacts your career or business success, managing your network strategically becomes essential. For professionals like salespeople, marketers, and recruiters, a well-curated network can make all the difference in reaching the right audience and achieving your objectives.
A smaller, more engaged network often proves more effective than a large, disengaged one. Thousands of random contacts who never interact with your posts or provide meaningful opportunities can dilute your LinkedIn experience.
"Your LinkedIn profile should work for you, not the other way around. Sometimes, a little digital decluttering is all it takes to regain focus and clarity." – Donna Hodds, PGDipIDM, Author [2]
Removing outdated or irrelevant connections helps you focus on opportunities that matter. It reduces the noise from irrelevant updates or pitches, while increasing your exposure to posts, job openings, and insights that align with your goals [2][6]. For content creators and thought leaders, while a large follower count might seem appealing, prioritizing quality among mutual connections ensures your feed stays relevant and supports your career aspirations [5].
Before you start removing connections, take a moment to define your current goals and the type of network you want to build. Review each connection thoughtfully to determine whether they align with your industry, role, or future ambitions [2]. By curating a meaningful network, you demonstrate your commitment to building professional relationships that matter [2].
Remember, the strength of your LinkedIn network lies in its relevance, not its size. A focused network not only makes your feed more useful but also opens the door to better professional opportunities [2][5].
With your network fine-tuned, you’ll be ready to explore tools that make managing connections even easier.
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Tools for Connection Management
While LinkedIn’s built-in features can handle basic tasks like removing connections, they fall short for users managing large networks. For sales professionals, marketers, and recruiters juggling hundreds – or even thousands – of connections, specialized tools become a necessity.
Using Closely for Efficient Connection Management
If you’re looking to take LinkedIn network management to the next level, Closely is a powerful option. It’s designed to do more than just trim your connections – it offers a full suite of features to optimize your network. By combining AI-driven personalization with data enrichment, Closely helps you maintain a strategic, well-organized network while automating repetitive tasks.
One standout feature is its data enrichment capabilities, which provide verified emails, phone numbers, company details, and lead scoring. This makes it easier to evaluate which connections align with your professional goals.
For teams, Closely supports multiple LinkedIn accounts, making it ideal for sales teams or agencies. The Growth plan, priced at $127 per month, manages up to 3 accounts, while the Essential plan, at $205 per month, supports up to 5 accounts. This multi-account functionality ensures consistent management practices across an organization.
The platform also centralizes communication through a unified inbox, which combines LinkedIn and email interactions. This feature highlights low-engagement contacts, making it easier to decide which connections to remove. For example, inactive or unresponsive contacts might be worth cutting, while engaged connections clearly add value to your network.
Closely’s analytics and reporting tools take it a step further by providing insights into your connections’ quality and engagement levels. These metrics reveal trends – like which industries or roles bring the most meaningful interactions – helping you make smarter decisions about who to keep in your network.
Automating Connection Cleanup
Closely simplifies connection cleanup with AI-powered automation. The platform evaluates your network based on criteria like industry relevance, engagement history, and company size. It then flags contacts that may no longer serve your professional goals. Additionally, campaign performance tracking helps identify which connections actively contribute to your objectives and which ones don’t.
For those managing branding consistency, Closely offers white-label options, ensuring your campaigns stay on-brand. Plus, a dedicated customer success manager is available to guide you through the cleanup process, and 24-hour support chat is on hand for any issues that arise during bulk connection management.
Another key feature is Closely’s integration capabilities. With CRM integrations and webhooks, your connection data syncs seamlessly across platforms, keeping everything aligned after pruning your network. This ensures your LinkedIn strategy remains consistent and effective.
Finally, Closely uses a flexible credit-based system, making it adaptable to different usage needs. The Starter plan, priced at $49 per month, includes 1,000 credits – enough for 250 emails, 50 phone lookups, or 500 AI personalizations. For larger networks, the Custom plan, at $350 per month, offers 10 LinkedIn accounts and flexible credit allocation to meet the demands of more extensive operations.
Manual vs. Automated Connection Management
When refining your LinkedIn network, the method you choose to remove connections can make a big difference. You essentially have two options: manual removal or relying on automated tools. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and understanding them can help you make the right choice.
Manual connection removal offers you full control. You can carefully assess each connection based on relevance, engagement history, and professional value. This method aligns perfectly with LinkedIn’s policies, as it stays within the platform’s intended use, minimizing the risk of detection. The downside? It’s a time-consuming process, especially if you have a large network.
On the other hand, automated connection management brings speed and scalability to the table. These tools can analyze your network using criteria like industry alignment, engagement levels, and company size – all at a pace manual methods can’t match. For those managing multiple LinkedIn accounts or large networks, automation can be a game-changer. However, it’s not without risks.
LinkedIn’s algorithms are increasingly adept at spotting unusual activity, and exceeding usage limits can flag your account. Additionally, some automation tools have been restricted for violating LinkedIn’s terms of service, such as scraping user data[7]. Beyond these technical concerns, LinkedIn is shifting its focus toward fostering authentic relationships, emphasizing genuine interactions over automated shortcuts.
Comparison Table: Manual vs. Automated
| Factor | Manual Management | Automated Management |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Slower, as each removal is done individually | Quickly processes many connections at once |
| Discretion | High, since actions are less noticeable | Bulk actions may draw less attention but can still raise flags |
| Scalability | Best for smaller networks | Ideal for large networks |
| LinkedIn Policy Risk | Minimal when done manually | Moderate, especially if limits are exceeded |
| Cost | No monetary cost, but time-intensive | Ranges from $49 to $350+ per month, depending on the tool |
| Precision | Allows for personalized, thoughtful decisions | Effective but may miss subtle nuances |
| Integration | No integration with other workflows | Often integrates with tools like CRMs |
Automated tools may also lead to a network filled with disengaged connections, which can hurt your overall engagement rates.
For most professionals, a hybrid approach works best. Start by using automation to analyze your network and identify low-value connections in bulk. Then, switch to manual removal for a more thoughtful, precise review. This way, you get the efficiency of automation combined with the careful judgment that only a human touch can provide – an ideal balance for smarter connection management.
Key Takeaways for Managing LinkedIn Connections
Effectively managing your LinkedIn network is all about striking the right balance between building meaningful connections and maintaining professionalism. One key point to remember: LinkedIn does not notify users when you remove them as a connection. However, any endorsements or recommendations they’ve given you will be permanently removed as well [1].
When deciding whether to remove a connection, it’s important to have clear professional criteria in mind. As Scott Aaron, author of "Navigating Connections on LinkedIn: When to Block and Delete," explains:
"A professional network should reflect your values and support your career growth. Negative or polarizing content can alienate connections and detract from meaningful engagement." [8]
This highlights the importance of focusing on quality over quantity in your network. Consider removing connections who frequently share divisive content, aggressively pitch services without building a relationship, or post negative or unprofessional comments [8].
If a removed connection reaches out to ask why, keep your response brief and professional. A simple explanation, such as focusing your network on your current goals, is usually sufficient [1].
For those managing large networks, where these decisions are more common, automation tools can make the process more efficient. For example, tools like Closely can help you identify connections that no longer align with your professional objectives while maintaining privacy and discretion during the process.
Ultimately, thoughtful and strategic network management is key to supporting your long-term career goals. While frequent removals can come across as unprofessional, pruning your network with care helps ensure it remains a valuable resource for growth and meaningful connections [1].
FAQs
What happens if I remove a LinkedIn connection, and can I get endorsements back if I reconnect later?
When you decide to remove a LinkedIn connection, it’s worth noting that you’ll no longer see their updates, and any endorsements or recommendations they’ve given you will disappear. This could influence both your profile’s visibility and the overall strength of your professional network.
If you reconnect with that person in the future, those previous endorsements and recommendations won’t automatically return. Once they’re gone, they can’t be recovered. So, it’s a good idea to think carefully about how removing a connection might impact your profile before taking action.
How can I discreetly remove LinkedIn connections while keeping my activity private?
To handle your LinkedIn connections more privately, begin by tweaking your privacy settings. You can change your connections list visibility to ‘Only you’, which keeps your network hidden from others. If you decide to remove someone, LinkedIn won’t notify them. The only way they’ll find out is if they specifically check and notice the disconnection. This lets you refine your network quietly and without causing any unnecessary attention.
How can I decide which LinkedIn connections to remove to better align with my career goals?
To keep your LinkedIn network aligned with your career aspirations, it’s a good idea to remove connections that don’t contribute to your professional objectives. This might include people who are inactive, work in industries unrelated to your current focus, or never engage with your posts.
Taking the time to review your connections regularly ensures your network remains relevant and purposeful. By curating a more focused list of contacts, you can improve the quality of your feed and open the door to more meaningful professional interactions. This way, you can concentrate on building relationships that genuinely support your career growth.