LinkedIn can be a helpful platform for networking and career development. But over time, you may spend less time there or even feel stressed by the demands of maintaining your presence.
If you’re wondering how to delete your LinkedIn account, this guide will walk you through the steps. We’ll also look at reasons you may want to delete your account, what happens when you deactivate versus delete your profile, and tips for leaving LinkedIn gracefully.
Step 1 to Delete Your Account :
Finally, it’s time to delete your LinkedIn account:
- Open your LinkedIn account.
- Go to your account settings.
Step 2
- Select and Tap “Account preferences“.
Step 3
In Account Management, Choose the option to close your account.
Step 4
- Select a reason for leaving on the account closure page or choose “Other”.
- Tap to the “next “
Step 5
- Enter your account password when prompted.
- Check the box to confirm you want to delete your account permanently.
- Select “Close account or Done “.
LinkedIn will immediately remove your profile and associated data. There is no undo button, so be sure before proceeding!
Once your account is deleted, logging into LinkedIn will require opening a new account.
Related Article: Boost Your Profile: Four Easy Steps to Personal Branding on LinkedIn
Why Would You Want to Delete Your LinkedIn Account?
Here are some common reasons people decide to delete their LinkedIn accounts:
You Feel Overwhelmed or Anxious from LinkedIn
For some, LinkedIn can feel like a burden instead of a helpful tool. Keeping up with messages and notifications can become stressful. Or you may feel tension about constantly updating your profile and making new connections.
If LinkedIn is causing more stress than benefits, deleting your account could be the right move. Without the demands of LinkedIn, you may feel a sense of relief.
You Don’t Use It Anymore
LinkedIn may have been useful at one point in your career, but now you’ve moved on. If you ignore LinkedIn notifications or rarely log in, deleting your account can help reduce digital mess.
You Want More Privacy
Having a public presence on LinkedIn means anyone can look you up. If you prefer more privacy, deleting your account removes your profile and activity from the platform.
You Need a Break from Social Media
Some people take a temporary break from social media platforms like LinkedIn. Deactivating your account lets you step away without deleting your profile. If deleting your account may be preferable, you want a clean break for an extended period.
Unhappy with LinkedIn’s Policies or Direction
You may take issue with LinkedIn’s privacy policies, advertising tactics, or other business practices. Rather than complain, you can delete your account as a form of protest.
If LinkedIn no longer fits your needs or goals, removing your presence sends a message. Of course, the impact on LinkedIn itself will be negligible if it’s just you. But if enough people delete accounts over a policy change, it could spur action.
You’re Leaving Your Job and No Longer Need It
Some people use LinkedIn primarily for job search and professional networking. Once you land a stable job, you may feel less need to keep your LinkedIn active.
So, if your circumstances change, re-evaluate whether LinkedIn still serves any useful purpose. If not, deletion could be the way to go.
What’s the Difference Between Deactivating and Deleting Your LinkedIn Account?
Before going further, it’s essential to understand the differences between deactivating and deleting a LinkedIn account:
Deactivating
If you deactivate your account, your profile won’t appear in LinkedIn search results. Other users won’t be able to view your profile or connect with you.
However, LinkedIn will save your profile information. You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in.
Deactivating is best if you want a temporary break from LinkedIn but think you may return.
Deleting
Deleting your LinkedIn account is permanent. All your connections, profile details, posts, and network activity will be removed. Once your account is deleted, it cannot be recovered. You would have to start a brand new profile from scratch.
So, only delete your account if you’re sure you no longer want a presence on LinkedIn.
What Happens When You Delete a LinkedIn Account?
After you delete your LinkedIn account, here’s what you can expect:
- Your profile, connections, posts, comments, and network activity will be permanently erased.
- Your profile will not appear in search results or other users’ connection lists.
- You will stop receiving notifications, messages, and emails from LinkedIn.
- Any groups you create will be deleted along with their members and discussions.
- Third-party apps connected to your account will lose access. Their ability to post updates for you will end.
- Your inbox messages will be deleted, so download or record critical communications first.
- If you have a LinkedIn Learning account, your course progress will be lost when you delete your profile.
- You can no longer log into LinkedIn with your account’s email and password.
Overall, it will be like you never had a LinkedIn presence. The slate is wiped clean.
Conclusion:
While LinkedIn can be a helpful networking platform, it’s only suitable for some. If your LinkedIn account feels more like dead weight, deleting it can provide a sense of comfort and greater control over your online presence. Just be sure before taking the permanent and irreversible step of account removal. You can say goodbye to LinkedIn cleanly and on your terms with the right approach.
