Social Media

How to Block Someone on LinkedIn: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Matt
Matt
8 min read

TL;DR - Quick Answer

9 min read

Tips you can use today. What works and what doesn't.

How to Block Someone on LinkedIn: Complete Guide

⚡ Quick LinkedIn Blocking Steps

🎯 How to Block on LinkedIn:

  • Find the person's profile you want to block
  • Click the "More" button (three dots)
  • Select "Block" from the dropdown menu
  • Confirm your decision to complete the block

📈 When to Block: Harassment, spam, inappropriate behavior, or unwanted contact
🎪 Effect: They can't see your profile, message you, or connect with you
⏱️ Time: Takes effect immediately after confirmation


🚫 How to Block Someone on LinkedIn (Desktop)

Step-by-Step Desktop Instructions

Method 1: From Their Profile

  1. Go to the Person's Profile

    • Search for the person you want to block
    • Click on their profile name to visit their page
    • Make sure you're on their complete profile
  2. Access the More Menu

    • Look for the "More" button (three horizontal dots)
    • This appears near the "Connect" or "Follow" buttons
    • Click on "More" to open the dropdown menu
  3. Select Block Option

    • Choose "Block [Name]" from the dropdown menu
    • A confirmation dialog will appear
    • Review the blocking information provided
  4. Confirm the Block

    • Click "Block" in the confirmation dialog
    • The person is immediately blocked
    • You'll be taken back to the previous page

Method 2: From Messages

  1. Open the Message Thread

    • Go to your LinkedIn messages
    • Find the conversation with the person you want to block
    • Open the message thread
  2. Access Message Options

    • Click the person's name at the top of the message
    • Or click the three dots menu in the message header
    • Select "View Profile" to go to their profile
  3. Block from Profile

    • Follow the same steps as Method 1 above
    • Use the "More" button to access block option
    • Confirm the blocking action

📱 How to Block Someone on LinkedIn Mobile

LinkedIn Mobile App Instructions

For iPhone and Android:

  1. Open LinkedIn Mobile App

    • Launch the LinkedIn app on your phone
    • Make sure you're logged into your account
    • Navigate to the person's profile
  2. Find Their Profile

    • Use the search function to find the person
    • Or go through your connections or messages
    • Tap on their profile to open it
  3. Access Profile Options

    • Look for the three dots (More options) button
    • This is usually in the top right of their profile
    • Tap the "More" button
  4. Select Block

    • Choose "Block [Name]" from the menu
    • Read the confirmation message
    • Tap "Block" to confirm your decision
  5. Verify the Block

    • You'll see a confirmation that they've been blocked
    • The person won't be able to see your profile anymore
    • You won't see their updates or messages

🔒 What Happens When You Block Someone

Effects of Blocking on LinkedIn

For the Blocked Person:

  • Can't view your profile or public activity
  • Can't send you messages or InMail
  • Can't see your posts in their feed
  • Can't tag you in posts or comments
  • Can't find you in search results
  • Existing connection is removed if you were connected

For You:

  • Won't see their content in your feed
  • Won't receive their messages or notifications
  • Can't see their profile when searching
  • Previous messages remain but are archived
  • Mutual connections may still be visible
  • Can unblock them anytime if needed

Professional Network Impact

Connection Changes:

  • Direct connection is severed immediately
  • Mutual connections aren't affected
  • Shared group memberships remain but limited interaction
  • Endorsements and recommendations from them are hidden
  • Company page interactions may still be visible

🔓 How to Unblock Someone on LinkedIn

Unblocking Process

Steps to Unblock:

  1. Go to Privacy Settings

    • Click your profile picture in the top right
    • Select "Settings & Privacy" from dropdown
    • Navigate to "Privacy" section
  2. Find Blocking Settings

    • Look for "Blocking" or "Blocked members"
    • Click to view your blocked list
    • You'll see all currently blocked profiles
  3. Unblock the Person

    • Find the person you want to unblock
    • Click "Unblock" next to their name
    • Confirm the unblocking action
  4. Re-establish Connection

    • You can now view their profile again
    • Send a new connection request if desired
    • Previous messages won't automatically restore

⚠️ When to Block Someone on LinkedIn

Valid Reasons for Blocking

Professional Harassment:

  • Persistent unwanted messages about non-professional topics
  • Inappropriate comments on your posts or content
  • Spam or promotional messages unrelated to business
  • Aggressive networking that crosses professional boundaries

Safety Concerns:

  • Personal information requests that seem suspicious
  • Threats or intimidating language in messages
  • Fake profiles trying to connect for unclear reasons
  • Scam attempts or fraudulent business proposals

Content Issues:

  • Consistently inappropriate comments on your posts
  • Spam posting on your content or in groups
  • False professional claims or misleading information
  • Disruptive behavior in professional discussions

Before You Block Someone

Consider These Alternatives:

  • Send a polite message asking them to stop the behavior
  • Adjust your privacy settings to limit who can contact you
  • Report the behavior to LinkedIn if it violates policies
  • Disconnect without blocking if the issue is minor
  • Use message filters to manage unwanted communications

🛡️ LinkedIn Privacy and Safety Tips

Protecting Your Professional Profile

Privacy Settings to Review:

  • Who can see your profile and activity
  • Who can send you messages and connection requests
  • Profile visibility to people outside your network
  • Activity broadcasts and update sharing
  • Search engine visibility of your public profile

Safe Networking Practices:

  • Verify the identity of people before connecting
  • Check mutual connections for legitimacy
  • Review profiles carefully before accepting requests
  • Keep personal information private in messages
  • Report suspicious activity to LinkedIn support

Managing Your Professional Network

Connection Best Practices:

  • Connect with people you know professionally
  • Add personalized messages when sending requests
  • Regular review of your connections list
  • Remove inactive or irrelevant connections
  • Engage meaningfully with your professional network

📊 LinkedIn Connection Management

Organizing Your Network

Connection Categories:

  • Close colleagues and teammates
  • Industry professionals and peers
  • Clients and customers (current and potential)
  • Business partners and vendors
  • Professional mentors and advisors

Network Maintenance:

  • Regular profile reviews of your connections
  • Remove connections that are no longer relevant
  • Update contact information with important connections
  • Engage with content from valued connections
  • Recommend and endorse deserving professionals

🔗 LinkedIn Professional Resources

LinkedIn Management:

Professional Networking:

Free LinkedIn Tools:

Ready to maintain a professional and safe LinkedIn network? SocialRails provides LinkedIn management tools, connection analytics, and professional networking insights to help you build meaningful professional relationships while staying safe online.

Was this article helpful?

Let us know what you think!

#SocialMedia#ContentStrategy#DigitalMarketing

📚 Continue Learning

More articles to boost your social media expertise