How to Delete a Profile on LinkedIn (And What You Should Know First)

LinkedIn makes it easy to create a profile — but when it comes to removing one, the platform gives you two very different options that most people don't realize exist. Understanding the difference between closing your account and hiding your profile is the most important step before you do anything.

Closing vs. Hiding: Two Different Outcomes

LinkedIn doesn't use the word "delete" in its interface, which trips a lot of people up. What you're actually choosing between is:

• Closing your account — permanently removes your profile, connections, endorsements, recommendations, and all associated data. This is the closest thing to a true "delete."
• Hibernating your account — hides your profile from search results and other members without permanently removing anything. You can reactivate it later by simply logging back in.

If you want your LinkedIn presence gone entirely, you're looking for Close Account. If you just want to step back temporarily — maybe you've landed a job and don't want recruiters contacting you — hibernation may be more appropriate.

How to Close (Delete) Your LinkedIn Account

The process is done through account settings and takes only a few minutes. Here's how it works on both desktop and mobile:

On Desktop

1. Click your profile photo in the top-right corner
2. Select Settings & Privacy
3. Go to the Account preferences tab
4. Scroll down to Account management
5. Click Close account
6. LinkedIn will walk you through a brief exit survey asking why you're leaving
7. Confirm with your password, then click Close account

On Mobile (iOS or Android)

1. Tap your profile photo, then tap Settings
2. Scroll to Account preferences
3. Tap Account management
4. Select Close account and follow the prompts

⚠️ LinkedIn may present you with the Hibernate option before confirming closure — read the screen carefully to make sure you're selecting the permanent option if that's your intent.

What Gets Deleted When You Close Your Account

Once you confirm account closure, LinkedIn removes:

• Your public profile from search engines (though indexed pages may take days or weeks to disappear from Google)
• Your connections list
• Your messages and conversation history
• Any recommendations you've written or received
• Your posts, articles, and comments
• Your endorsements and skills data

LinkedIn states that some data may be retained for a period in accordance with their privacy policy — typically for legal compliance or fraud prevention purposes. If data privacy is a concern, it's worth reviewing LinkedIn's current privacy policy before closing.

What Happens to Your LinkedIn Premium or Subscriptions

This is where things get important if you're a paying member. Closing your account does not automatically cancel a Premium subscription. You need to cancel billing separately before closing, or you may continue to be charged.

To cancel Premium:

1. Go to Settings & Privacy
2. Click Subscriptions & payments
3. Select Cancel subscription and follow through the cancellation flow

The same applies to any LinkedIn Learning subscriptions or Recruiter/Sales Navigator plans tied to your account. Always cancel the subscription first, then close the account.

Factors That Affect Your Decision 🤔

The right move depends on your specific situation, and a few variables make a meaningful difference:

Business page owners should note: if you're the sole admin of a LinkedIn Company Page, closing your personal account will also remove admin access to that page. You'll need to add another admin before proceeding, or the page may become unmanageable.

Downloading Your Data Before You Leave

Before closing, you can request a full export of your LinkedIn data — including your connections list, messages, and profile information. This is useful if you want to preserve contact details or your work history.

To download your data:

1. Go to Settings & Privacy
2. Click Data privacy
3. Select Get a copy of your data
4. Choose what to include and request the archive

LinkedIn typically delivers the download within 24 hours via email link.

The Variable Most People Don't Account For

The mechanics of deleting a LinkedIn profile are straightforward — it's a settings flow that takes under five minutes. But whether you should close versus hibernate, whether you've properly handled your Premium billing, whether you need to migrate admin rights on a company page, or whether you want to save your data first — those answers are entirely specific to your current setup and how you've been using the platform.

The process is the same for everyone. The preparation before you start it isn't.