Sometimes, social media platforms aren’t always a friendly place. In fact, you can encounter some individuals on there that you simply wish you hadn’t.
In these instances, it’s best to utilise the blocking feature. When you block someone on LinkedIn, the user is unable to interact with you on the platform, view your profile, or engage with your content.
As a LinkedIn advertising agency, we know that blocking can be a great tool to use in severe circumstances, but it’s important you know how and when to do so.
Continue reading to find out how to block someone on LinkedIn without them knowing, when you should do so, and some tips on LinkedIn blocking etiquette to help you remain professional…
What happens when you block someone on LinkedIn?
The blocking feature on LinkedIn means the individual you block can no longer access your profile. As a result, they’re unable to send you messages, view the content they share, or interact with you in any way.
They will also be unable to see any previous messages you might have shared or any elements of your profile – such as your listed skills and career history.
There is no limit to how many people you can block on the platform, but you will have to wait two days before re-blocking someone you unblocked. If you’re wondering how to remove connections on LinkedIn, check out our blog here.
If you block someone on LinkedIn, will they know?
No, if you block an individual on LinkedIn, it doesn’t alert them that you have blocked them. So they won’t receive a notification to say that they’ve been blocked.
The only way they might be able to confirm if you have blocked them is by searching for your LinkedIn profile – as they won’t be able to find it (they’ll see a message that confirms your profile is unavailable).
However, if you have previously shared or currently do share a LinkedIn Recruiter account with the individual you want to block, LinkedIn reserves the right to notify this person that they have been blocked.
Can you block someone on LinkedIn without visiting their profile?
No, sadly, you cannot block someone on LinkedIn without visiting their profile. This might make those who wish to block an individual worried that they’ll be able to find out they’ve been blocked.
However, there are ways around this. For example, before you block someone on LinkedIn, you can alter your privacy settings to limit your profile’s visibility.
To find out how to turn on private mode on LinkedIn, check out our blog, where we take you through the process.
How to block someone on LinkedIn without them knowing
To block someone on LinkedIn without alerting them, follow the below process:
Via computer
To block on the computer, ensure you:
- Visit the profile of the person you want to block.
- Select the ‘More’ button – which is located below the profile picture of the individual. From the list presented, choose the ‘Report/Block’ option.
- Pick the top option out of the list that pops up – it should say ‘Block (insert name here)’.
Via mobile app
The process of blocking someone on LinkedIn’s mobile app is slightly different.
- Visit the profile of the person you want to block.
- Instead of the ‘More’ button, there’s a button with three dots that you can click under their profile picture.
- Select the ‘Report or block’ icon, and then click ‘Block (insert name here)’.
How to unblock someone on LinkedIn
If you want to unblock someone on LinkedIn, take the following steps:
Via computer
On the computer, you can unblock someone by:
- Selecting the ‘Me’ icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
- From the dropdown box, choose the ‘Settings & Privacy’ button.
- Scroll to the ‘Visibility’ section and select the ‘Blocking’ button. This is located below the ‘Visibility of your profile & network’ section.
- This will show you a list of the people you’ve blocked. From this list, find the person’s name and select ‘Unblock’.
Via mobile app
Via your mobile LinkedIn app, unblock someone by:
- Click your profile picture located at the top of your profile.
- Choose the ‘Settings’ option, then scroll down to visibility.
- With the list presented, select the ‘Blocking’ button.
- This will present you with your blocking list. Scroll to find the name of the person you want to reconnect with and click ‘Unblock’.
When should you block someone on LinkedIn?
It’s useful to know how to block someone on LinkedIn, but it’s even more useful to understand when the best time to do so is. Otherwise, you risk jeopardising important relationships and preventing the expansion of your network with key industry figures. Consider blocking individuals on LinkedIn if:
They are harassing you or sending inappropriate messages
One situation when you should block someone on LinkedIn is if they bombard you with unnecessary LinkedIn connection messages. This in itself is enough reason to block someone, but if the messages they send you cross a professional boundary and are inappropriate in their nature, you should also block them to prevent further correspondence.
You’re worried about your privacy
Another circumstance in which you might consider blocking a connection or profile on LinkedIn is if you have privacy concerns. For example, if you want to protect the information surrounding your professional activities and updates (maybe from ex-employers or competitors), blocking them might be the best option to protect your privacy.
You want to avoid spam or fake profiles
You might also consider blocking individuals if they send you spammy marketing messages or if you are suspicious that the profile is fake. This will prevent them from sending you further messages and taking up unnecessary space in your LinkedIn InMail.
Blocking someone on LinkedIn: The Do’s and Don’ts
Now you know how to block someone on LinkedIn, as well as when the right time is to do so, let’s take a look at some of our do’s and don’ts for blocking in a professional, subtle manner:
Do: Stay professional
When blocking someone on LinkedIn, it’s important to maintain your professionalism. Remember, this platform is for working professionals to network, so it’s important to uphold the representation of yourself.
Ensure you take a silent approach – there’s no need to announce on the platform that you have chosen to block someone. If you do, this might create unnecessary drama and cause damage to your working reputation.
Don’t: Forget business implications
It’s unlikely, but remember that using the blocking feature on LinkedIn can result in implications for your business.
For example, if the individual you block finds out you’ve blocked them, they might consider this a strong reaction – especially if they haven’t done anything severe. This could prevent you from reconciling in the future if you change your mind about blocking them.
Do: Consider your options
Blocking someone on LinkedIn is a serious action that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Before doing so, ensure you’ve considered all of your options.
For example, if you are receiving spam from an individual, try asking them to stop politely first – as keeping them as a LinkedIn connection might be useful to your business.
If you’re interested in building LinkedIn connections, check out our blog which has all the details of how you can expand your network.
Don’t: Expect consistent anonymity
When blocking someone on LinkedIn, don’t expect complete anonymity of your profile. Even if you block an individual, they could sign out of their account and see your profile publicly.
Moreover, they can also see your content posted in open group discussions. So don’t expect your ties to an individual to be severed completely just because you have blocked them.
Boost conversions and sales with a LinkedIn marketing strategy from StraightIn
LinkedIn can be a neglected platform when it comes to social media marketing – but if you’re in the B2B industry, it’s a goldmine for leads, conversions, and increased visibility. If you want to find out more about all the ways LinkedIn can grow your business, speak to one of the experts at StraightIn – a LinkedIn marketing agency that puts you at the centre of our strategies.
Get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can help you. Call 0161 518 4740, or email grow@straight-in.co.uk. Our services include Outreach Marketing, Content Marketing, and Personal Branding.
Blocking on LinkedIn: FAQs
Am I reconnected with an individual on LinkedIn if I unblock them?
No, once you unblock someone on LinkedIn, this doesn’t mean you have become a connection with them again. You will have to send another connection request.
Will our previous LinkedIn messages reappear after I unblock someone on LinkedIn?
Yes, when you unblock someone on LinkedIn, your previous messages will restore in your inbox, as your previous messages won’t have been deleted.
