LinkedIn Connection Degrees
LinkedIn connection degrees show your relationship distance to other LinkedIn users. The platform uses a numbered system (1st, 2nd, 3rd) to indicate how closely connected you are to someone through your professional network.
🤔 Quick Knowledge Check
If someone is a 2nd degree connection, what does that mean?
What Each Connection Degree Means
1st Degree Connections
1st degree connections are people directly connected to you on LinkedIn. These are your immediate professional network.
How they appear:
- Show "1st" next to their name
- You can message them directly for free
- You see their full profile information
- Their posts appear prominently in your feed
How to get 1st degree connections:
- Send connection requests to people you know
- Accept connection requests from others
- Connect after meeting someone in person or online
- Import contacts from your email or phone
Benefits of 1st degree connections:
- Direct messaging without InMail credits
- Full profile visibility
- Ability to see their connections
- Higher visibility for your content in their feed
- Can endorse and recommend each other
2nd Degree Connections
2nd degree connections are people connected to your 1st degree connections. They're one step away from your direct network.
How they appear:
- Show "2nd" next to their name
- You see which mutual connection links you
- Limited profile information visible
- Require InMail or introduction to contact
How to connect with 2nd degree connections:
- Send a connection request directly
- Ask a mutual connection for an introduction
- Use LinkedIn InMail (premium feature)
- Engage with their content to build familiarity
Strategic value:
- Represents your extended professional network
- Great source for new business opportunities
- Often share industry or geographic connections
- Easier to connect than 3rd degree contacts
3rd Degree Connections
3rd degree connections are people connected to your 2nd degree connections. They're two steps away from your network.
How they appear:
- Show "3rd" next to their name
- Very limited profile information
- No mutual connection details shown
- Require InMail to contact directly
How to reach 3rd degree connections:
- Upgrade to LinkedIn Premium for InMail
- Find common groups or events
- Engage with their public content
- Build path through 2nd degree connections
Networking approach:
- Focus on building 2nd degree connections first
- Look for industry events or groups in common
- Create valuable content they might engage with
- Consider whether the connection is strategic
Connection Degrees Comparison
LinkedIn Connection Degrees Overview
| Relationship | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profile Access | Full profile visible | Limited profile information | Very limited profile access |
| Messaging | Free direct messaging | Connection request or InMail needed | InMail or introduction required |
| Mutual Connections | N/A - direct connection | Shows shared 1st degree connections | No mutual connection details shown |
| Content Visibility | High priority in feed | Moderate visibility | Limited content interaction |
LinkedIn Plus Members and Connection Limits
LinkedIn Connection Features by Plan
Free LinkedIn:
- Connect with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree contacts
- Limited InMail credits
- Basic search filters
- Standard networking features
LinkedIn Premium:
- Additional InMail credits for contacting 2nd and 3rd degree connections
- Advanced search filters
- See who viewed your profile
- Access to LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Sales Navigator:
- Better search capabilities
- Lead recommendations
- Advanced filtering options
- Better connection insights
Strategic Networking with Connection Degrees
Building Your 1st Degree Network
Quality over quantity approach:
- Connect with people you actually know
- Focus on relevant industry professionals
- Include personal colleagues and classmates
- Add clients and business partners
Best practices for connection requests:
- Always include a personalized message
- Mention how you know them or why you're connecting
- Keep the message brief and professional
- Follow up appropriately after connecting
Using 2nd Degree Connections
Smart expansion strategies:
- Review your connections' networks regularly
- Look for industry leaders in your field
- Find potential clients or partners
- Identify industry experts to follow
Introduction requests:
- Ask mutual connections for warm introductions
- Offer value in return for introductions
- Be specific about why you want to connect
- Respect your mutual connection's relationship
Growing Through Strategic Connections
Network expansion tactics:
- Join industry-specific LinkedIn groups
- Attend virtual and in-person networking events
🤔 Quick Knowledge Check
What's the best way to connect with a 2nd degree connection?
- Share valuable content to attract connections
- Engage meaningfully with others' posts
Long-term networking goals:
- Build relationships before you need them
- Maintain regular contact with key connections
- Provide value to your network consistently
- Track important connections and interactions
Connection Etiquette and Best Practices
Sending Connection Requests
For 1st degree potential connections:
- Reference where you met or how you know them
- Be genuine about your reason for connecting
- Keep the message conversational but professional
For 2nd degree connections:
- Mention your mutual connection if appropriate
- Explain your professional interest clearly
- Suggest potential mutual benefits
Example connection messages:
For someone you met: "Hi [Name], it was great meeting you at [Event]. I enjoyed our conversation about [Topic] and would love to stay connected."
For a 2nd degree connection: "Hi [Name], I noticed we're both connected to [Mutual Connection] and work in [Industry]. I'd love to connect and share insights about [Relevant Topic]."
Managing Your Network
Regular network maintenance:
- Review and organize your connections quarterly
- Remove inactive or irrelevant connections
- Nurture relationships with key contacts
- Track important conversations and opportunities
Providing value to your network:
- Share relevant industry news and insights
- Make introductions between connections when beneficial
- Offer help and expertise when appropriate
- Celebrate others' achievements publicly
Common Connection Degree Mistakes
Avoid These Networking Errors
Sending generic connection requests:
- Never use LinkedIn's default message
- Always personalize your approach
- Show genuine interest in the person
Focusing only on high-profile connections:
- Build relationships at all levels
- Value peer-to-peer connections
- Remember that junior contacts become senior leaders
Neglecting your existing network:
- Maintain relationships with current connections
- Regular check-ins with important contacts
- Share updates about your professional journey
Being too sales-focused:
- Build relationships before pitching
- Provide value before asking for favors
- Focus on long-term relationship building
Frequently Asked Questions
How many 1st degree connections should I have?
Quality matters more than quantity. Focus on building meaningful connections with people you actually know or have genuine professional reasons to connect with. Most professionals have 200-1,000 quality 1st degree connections.
Can I message 2nd degree connections for free?
No, you need to either send a connection request first, use InMail credits (premium feature), or ask a mutual connection for an introduction to message 2nd degree connections directly.
Why can't I see some people's full profiles?
Profile visibility depends on connection degree and privacy settings. 1st degree connections can see full profiles, while 2nd and 3rd degree connections have limited access based on the person's privacy preferences.
What happens when I connect with a 2nd degree connection?
When you connect with a 2nd degree connection, they become a 1st degree connection. You gain full profile access, can message them directly, and see their connections. All mutual 2nd degree connections become visible to both of you.
How do I find relevant 2nd degree connections?
Use LinkedIn's "My Network" tab to see suggested connections, browse your 1st degree connections' networks, use advanced search filters, or look at who engages with posts in your industry.
Should I accept all connection requests?
No, be selective about connection requests. Accept from people you know, have worked with, or have genuine professional reasons to connect with. Quality connections are more valuable than quantity.
Can I remove someone from my 1st degree connections?
Yes, you can disconnect from anyone in your network. Go to their profile, click the "More" button, and select "Remove Connection." They won't be notified, but they'll lose access to your full profile.
How often should I send connection requests?
LinkedIn has weekly limits on connection requests (around 200 per week for most users). Focus on quality over quantity - send 5-10 thoughtful, personalized requests per week rather than mass requesting.
Key Takeaways
- 1st degree connections are your direct network with full messaging and profile access
- 2nd degree connections are one step away and require connection requests or InMail to contact
- 3rd degree connections are two steps away with very limited access and interaction options
- Quality networking beats quantity - focus on meaningful professional relationships
- Personalized connection requests have much higher acceptance rates than generic messages
- Strategic expansion through 2nd degree connections helps grow your relevant network
- Regular maintenance of your network keeps relationships active and valuable
Understanding LinkedIn's connection degrees helps you understand professional networking more effectively. Focus on building genuine relationships at each level rather than just collecting connections, and always provide value to your network to maintain strong professional relationships.