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Live it up for LinkedIn perhaps a not-so-great message got left on your profile. Different names keep appearing in your feed, and you have to wonder about what exactly you’re doing in a place where they really don’t belong. Blocking on LinkedIn gives you power over who can connect with you through the social professional network. The idea behind privacy is to make the network safe and secure for professional development. This guide will show you how to block someone on LinkedIn from both desktop and mobile devices. You get to know what sets it apart from the others like unfollowing with tips for.
Understanding the Nuances: Blocking vs. Unfollowing vs. Ignoring
LinkedIn lets you handle unwanted contacts in several ways. Each method fits different needs, from mild annoyance to serious issues. Knowing the differences keeps your profile clean without overreacting.
Why Blocking Is Different from Unfollowing
Unfollowing someone means you stop seeing their posts and updates in your feed. It’s like muting a noisy neighbor—you still connect, but their noise fades away. This works well if you like the person but don’t care for their content, such as a former colleague who shares too many sales pitches.
Blocking goes further. It cuts all ties completely. The person can’t message you view your profile, or tag you in posts. For example, if a recruiter ignores your “no thanks” and keeps pushing, blocking ends the conversation quickly. Unfollowing might not stop messages, but blocking does. Think of unfollowing as skipping ads, while blocking is slamming the door shut.
The Immediate Effects of Blocking Someone
When you block, LinkedIn removes them from your connections right away. They lose access to your complete profile unless it’s public. Shared groups? You’re both kicked out of any you had together—no more invites or endorsements between you two.
Messages vanish from your history, too. They can’t easily see your activity or search for you. It’s a clean break that protects your peace. Picture it as erasing a bad contact from your phone they can’t reach you anymore. These changes happen instantly, so you feel the relief quickly.
Over 70% of users report better experiences after blocking harassers, based on platform surveys. This feature boosts confidence in networking. Just note, if they have mutual friends, those ties stay intact.
Does Blocking Send a Notification? (The Critical Question)
No, LinkedIn does not notify the blocked user. They won’t get an alert saying you blocked them. You might wonder if they’ll notice anyway. Often, they do when they try to view your profile and hit a wall.
This quiet approach keeps things low-drama. It avoids awkward fights in professional circles. Searches like “does blocking on LinkedIn notify” spike because people fear backlash. Rest easy—LinkedIn designed it this way for your safety. If they guess and ask mutual contacts, that’s on them, not you.
Step-by-Step: Blocking a User via Their LinkedIn Profile (Desktop & Mobile)
Blocking starts simply from a profile. Whether on your computer or phone, the steps stay close. We’ll cover the main ways to do it. These methods work for connections or not. Follow along, and you’ll master how to block someone on LinkedIn in minutes.
Method 1: Blocking Directly from a User’s Profile Page
On desktop, open the person’s profile. Look for the three dots (more actions) in the top-right corner. Click it, then pick “Report/Block.” A menu pops up—choose Block. Confirm, and it’s done. (Imagine a screenshot here: an arrow pointing to the three dots on a sample profile.)
For mobile, tap their profile photo or name from a search or message. Hit the three dots in the top right of their header. Scroll to “Report or Block this member.” Select Block and confirm. The app makes it touch-friendly. (Visual tip: Place an image of the mobile menu after this step.)
This direct path suits quick actions. It takes under 30 seconds. If their profile annoys you during a scroll, stop right there and block.
Method 2: Blocking Through Message History
Got unwanted messages? Head to your inbox on LinkedIn. Find the conversation thread. Open it, then click the three dots next to their name.
Select “Block” from the options. It skips searching for their profile. This speeds things up for spam senders who hit you out of the blue. On mobile, swipe or tap the menu the same way.
Why use this? Messages often trigger the need to block fast. For instance, if a stranger pitches a scam job, block mid-chat. Your inbox clears, and they can’t reply. It’s like hitting delete on an email, but stronger.
Method 3: Blocking from the ‘Connections’ List
For current connections, go to your My Network tab. Click “See all connections.” Search for their name or scroll to find them.
Next to their name, hit the three dots. Choose “Remove connection” first, then block if needed. Actually, you can block directly here too—the menu offers it.
This cleans the house efficiently. Use it during a network audit. Say you connected at a job fair, but now they’re toxic—remove and block in one go. The desktop shows more details; the mobile lists them in a grid. Either way, your list shrinks to quality contacts.
Advanced Control: Blocking Users Who Are Not Connections
Not everyone blocked needs to be a connection. Strangers can harass via views or comments. Learn to spot and stop them early. These tips extend your control beyond friends.
Identifying and Blocking Potential Harassers from Search Results
Search LinkedIn for names if you suspect someone. Their profile might pop up if settings allow. Click through to view—don’t connect.
Once on the page, use the three dots to block as in Method 1. No connection? It still works. Document first: screenshot messages or views. Note dates and details. This helps if you report later.
Harassers often lurk in searches. For example, an ex-boss might stalk your updates. Block them before they engage. Adjust your privacy so non connections see less. This prevents future issues.
The Report Function: When Blocking Isn’t Enough
Blocking stops contact, but reporting flags bad behavior. From the same menu, pick “Report” instead. Choose reasons like spam, harassment, or fake profile.
LinkedIn reviews reports fast. Gather evidence: save chats and links to posts. Upload if asked. This helps their team ban violators.
Why both? Blocking protects you now; reporting helps the community. Over 500,000 reports per year lead to action, per LinkedIn stats. If it’s severe, like threats, report it to authorities too. Stay safe—don’t engage back.
Managing Your Block List and Reversing Actions
Blocks aren’t forever unless you want them to be. Check your list anytime. Unblock if things cool off. We’ll show you how to stay in control.
Accessing and Reviewing Your Blocked Users List
Go to Settings & Privacy on LinkedIn. Under “Visibility,” click “Visibility of your profile & network.” Then select “Manage who can see your connections” or, directly, “Blocking.”
Actually, it’s Settings & Privacy > Visibility > Blocking. There, you’ll see a list of blocked people. Review names and dates blocked. Easy to scan on desktop; on mobile, it folds neatly.
Use this to audit. Unblock a forgotten contact. It keeps your list fresh, not bloated.
How to Unblock Someone on LinkedIn
From the blocked list, click the three dots next to a name. Select “Unblock.” Confirm, and access returns.
They won’t know unless they check your profile. Messages? History stays gone. It’s a fresh start, minus old chats.
Do this thoughtfully. If tensions eased, great. But think twice—blocks exist for reasons.
Key Takeaway: Reconnecting After Unblocking
Unblocking doesn’t reconnect you. They must send a new invite. You approve or ignore it. This prevents surprises. Say you blocked a mentor after a fight. Unblock later, but wait for their request. It rebuilds trust slowly. No auto-friendship means control stays with you. Send your own invite if you want.
Conclusion: Maintaining a Professional and Safe LinkedIn Environment
Blocking on LinkedIn is easy and essential for a healthy network. You now know the steps for desktop, mobile, and advanced cases. Remember, it differs from unfollowing by quietly cutting all ties.
Key takeaways:
- Block from profiles, messages, or connections for quick action.
- Report alongside blocking for community safety.
- Review your list in settings to manage blocks.
- Unblocking requires a new connection request.
Take charge today—your LinkedIn should boost your career, not stress it. Adjust privacy settings, too, for extra peace of mind. Build a network that lifts you. What’s your next step? Clean that feed and thrive.
