How to opt out of LinkedIn: a step-by-step guide
If you’re looking to take a break or move away from LinkedIn for good, there are several ways to do so. Whether you just want to deactivate your account or delete it completely, we’ll walk you through the process.
Deactivate your LinkedIn account
Deactivating your LinkedIn account is a temporary option that allows you to remove yourself from the platform without permanently deleting your data. When your account is deactivated, your profile will no longer be visible to other users and all your connections will be terminated.
To deactivate your account
-
Connect to LinkedIn.
-
Click Me in the top menu.
-
Select Settings & Privacy.
-
Click on the Account tab.
-
Under Account Deactivation, click Deactivate my account.
-
Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm.
Your account will be deactivated for 20 years, but you can reactivate it at any time by logging in with your login credentials.
Delete your LinkedIn account
If you want to permanently delete your LinkedIn account, you will no longer be able to access it or recover your data.
To delete your account
-
Connect to LinkedIn.
-
Click Me in the top menu.
-
Select Settings & Privacy.
-
Click on the Account tab.
-
Under Delete my account, click Delete my account.
-
Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm.
The account deletion process may take up to 24 hours. Once your account is deleted, all your data, including your contacts, messages and profile, will be permanently deleted.
Other options
In addition to deactivating or deleting your account, LinkedIn offers other options to limit your visibility on the platform:
- Adjusting profile visibilityYou can hide your profile from search results and connection suggestions.
- Private modeYou can browse LinkedIn anonymously by activating private mode.
- Limitation of messagesyou can block messages from users you do not know.
Read next
To relate this topic to a more concrete business workflow:
-
LinkedIn Intent Signals - to understand the signals that merit action
-
Prioritization of hot leads - to classify the prospects to be processed now
-
B2B SEO blog internal linking guide - to strengthen the editorial linking
FAQ
Can I recover my data after deleting my account?
No, once your account is deleted, all your data will be permanently lost.
How long does it take to delete my account?
The account deletion process may take up to 24 hours.
Can I reactivate my account after deactivating it?
Yes, you can reactivate your account at any time by logging in with your login credentials.
What happens to my data when I deactivate my account?
Your data will still be stored on LinkedIn’s servers, but it will not be visible to other users.
Conclusion
Whether you want to take a break or leave LinkedIn permanently, there are several options to meet your needs. By following the steps in this article, you can deactivate or delete your account, or adjust your privacy settings to limit your visibility.
