LinkedIn deletion is permanent and takes 30 days

When you delete your LinkedIn account, the company gives you 30 days to change your mind. During that month, your profile goes dark — nobody can find it, message you, or see your activity — but the account still exists in LinkedIn's systems. After 30 days, the deletion becomes permanent and cannot be reversed. Your profile, connections, messages, and all associated data are removed.

If you want to keep your professional network but step back from the platform, deactivating is different from deleting. A deactivated account hides your profile immediately but keeps your data on LinkedIn's servers. You can reactivate it anytime by logging back in. Deletion is the choice if you want a complete break.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting your account takes 30 days to finalize, during which you can cancel the deletion by logging back in.
  • After 30 days, your profile, messages, connections, and all data are permanently removed and cannot be recovered.
  • The deletion process starts in your account settings under "Account preferences" — there is no separate confirmation email or approval step.
  • Deactivation is a reversible alternative that hides your profile immediately without erasing your data.
  • LinkedIn does not delete your data from third-party sites that have already indexed or cached your profile.

How to start the deletion process

Log into your LinkedIn account on a computer or the mobile app. Go to your profile photo in the top right corner and select "Settings and privacy." Click "Account preferences" in the left menu, then scroll down to find "Account management." You will see a button labeled "Close account." Click it.

LinkedIn will ask you why you are leaving — the dropdown options include "I have another LinkedIn account," "I do not find LinkedIn useful," "I am concerned about privacy," and others. Pick the reason that matches your situation, though your choice does not affect the deletion itself. Read the warning that explains the 30-day window and what will be deleted. Check the box confirming you understand, then click "Close account" again.

Your account is now in deletion mode. You will receive a confirmation email from LinkedIn. Do not click anything in that email — it is just notification that the process started. Your profile disappears from search results and other people's views immediately, but you can still log in during the 30-day window if you change your mind.

What happens during the 30-day waiting period

For the next 30 days, your account is invisible to everyone else on LinkedIn. Your connections cannot see your profile, your posts disappear from feeds, and your name will not show up in search results. However, you retain the ability to log in and cancel the deletion at any time during this window. Simply sign in with your email and password, and your account will return to normal.

LinkedIn may still send you emails during this period — unsubscribe from them if you want, or ignore them. After 30 days pass with no action from you, the deletion becomes irreversible. LinkedIn's servers delete your profile data, and you lose access to your account permanently.

What data gets deleted and what does not

LinkedIn removes your profile, profile photo, headline, work history, education, recommendations, endorsements, connections list, and all messages from your inbox. Your posts and articles are deleted. Any groups you created are deleted. Your saved jobs, saved articles, and activity history disappear.

However, messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes — LinkedIn does not erase messages from the recipient's side. If you posted comments on someone else's article or post, those comments may remain visible with your name attached, though LinkedIn sometimes removes them. If your profile was indexed by Google or another search engine, or cached by the Internet Archive, those copies exist outside LinkedIn and deletion does not remove them.

Deactivation as an alternative to deletion

If you want to step away from LinkedIn without erasing everything, deactivation hides your profile immediately while keeping your account data intact. Go to "Settings and privacy," select "Account preferences," find "Account management," and click "Deactivate account" instead of "Close account."

A deactivated account is invisible to other users — your profile does not appear in searches, people cannot view your work history or send you messages, and your activity stops showing in feeds. But you keep the option to reactivate by logging in again. Your connections, messages, and profile information stay on LinkedIn's servers, ready to restore if you return. There is no waiting period with deactivation — it takes effect immediately.

Downloading your data before deletion

Before you delete, you can request a copy of your LinkedIn data. Go to "Settings and privacy," select "Data privacy," and look for "Get a copy of your data." LinkedIn will compile your profile information, connections, messages, and activity into a downloadable file. This takes a few days to process, and LinkedIn emails you a link when it is ready.

This download is useful if you want to keep a record of your connections, recommendations, or work history for your own files. The file is in a standard format you can open on any computer. However, downloading your data does not stop the deletion process — you still have to cancel the deletion separately if you change your mind.

What to do if you change your mind during the 30 days

If you decide you want to keep your account, log in with your email and password during the 30-day window. LinkedIn will recognize that your account is scheduled for deletion and ask if you want to cancel. Click yes, and your profile reactivates immediately. Your connections, messages, and all data return to normal.

There is no penalty for canceling a deletion — you can delete and reactivate as many times as you want, as long as you act within the 30-day window. After 30 days have passed, logging in is no longer possible because the account no longer exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my account on the mobile app?

Yes. Open the app, tap your profile photo, go to "Settings and privacy," then "Account preferences," then "Account management," and tap "Close account." The process is the same as on a computer.

What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete my account?

Use LinkedIn's password reset tool on the login page. Enter your email address, and LinkedIn sends a reset link. Once you reset your password and log in, you can proceed with deletion. If you no longer have access to the email address associated with your account, contact LinkedIn's support team for help.

Will deleting my LinkedIn account remove me from Google search results?

LinkedIn will remove your profile from its own site, but Google may still show a cached version of your profile for weeks or months. You can request removal from Google Search directly through Google Search Console, or ask Google to remove the outdated page. The Internet Archive may also have a copy that exists independently of LinkedIn.

Do I lose my recommendations and endorsements when I delete?

Yes. Recommendations you received and endorsements on your skills are deleted along with your profile. Recommendations you gave to others remain visible on their profiles with your name attached, though LinkedIn sometimes removes them during the deletion process.

Can I delete my account if I have a LinkedIn Premium subscription?

Yes. Deleting your account cancels any active subscription. You will not be charged again after deletion begins. If you were billed recently, contact LinkedIn support about a refund — their policy varies depending on how close you are to your next billing date.