Blocking someone on LinkedIn removes them from your network and hides your profile from their view

When you block someone on LinkedIn, that person can no longer see your profile, send you messages, or find you in search results. You won't see their profile either. The block is permanent until you manually unblock them — LinkedIn doesn't notify the person you've blocked, and they won't receive a message explaining why.

Blocking is different from removing a connection. If you simply remove someone from your network, they can still see your public profile and send you messages later. Blocking cuts off all contact and visibility. Use blocking when you want to completely separate from someone; use removal if you just want to clean up your connections list.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block someone from their profile page, from your connections list, or from a message conversation — all methods take less than one minute.
  • Blocked people cannot see your profile, message you, or find you in LinkedIn search, but they may still see your name in other people's connection lists.
  • LinkedIn does not tell the blocked person that you blocked them, and there is no notification sent to your account when you block someone.
  • You can unblock someone at any time by going to your blocked users list in Settings, though they will not be notified of the unblock.

Block someone from their profile page

The fastest way to block someone is directly from their profile. Open LinkedIn and search for the person's name, or click on their profile if it appears in your feed or message history. Once you're on their profile page, look for the three dots (•••) in the upper right corner of their profile card.

Click those three dots and select "Block" from the menu that appears. A confirmation window will pop up asking if you're sure. Click "Block" again to confirm. The block takes effect immediately — their profile will disappear from your view, and you'll be removed from their connections if you were connected.

Block someone from your connections list

If you want to block someone without visiting their profile, go to your LinkedIn homepage and click "My Network" in the left sidebar. Select "Connections" to see everyone you're connected with. Find the person you want to block by scrolling or using the search box at the top of the connections list.

Hover over their name and click the three dots (•••) that appear on the right side of their entry. Select "Block" from the dropdown menu and confirm. This method works the same way as blocking from a profile — the person is blocked immediately and removed from your connections.

Block someone from a message conversation

You can also block someone while you're messaging with them. Open the conversation in your LinkedIn inbox, then click the three dots (•••) at the top right of the message window. Select "Block" from the menu. A confirmation message will appear — click "Block" to finish.

When you block someone from a message thread, the entire conversation disappears from your inbox. You won't be able to see the old messages, and the person won't be able to send you new ones. If you later unblock them, the old conversation will not reappear.

What happens when you block someone

Once you block someone, they cannot see your profile, view your posts, or access any of your content on LinkedIn. They also cannot send you messages, connection requests, or InMail. If they try to visit your profile directly, they'll see a message saying the profile isn't available.

However, your name may still appear in other people's connection lists or in search results if someone searches for connections of a mutual contact. The blocked person might see your name in these contexts, but they won't be able to click through to your profile. LinkedIn does not send any notification to the blocked person, and you won't receive a confirmation that the block was successful beyond the person disappearing from your view.

Unblock someone if you change your mind

If you decide to unblock someone later, go to your LinkedIn Settings by clicking your profile photo in the top right corner and selecting "Settings and privacy." Click "Settings" in the left sidebar, then scroll down to find "Blocking and hiding." Click "Manage blocked users" to see your full list of blocked people.

Find the person you want to unblock and click "Unblock" next to their name. The unblock takes effect immediately. The person will not be notified that you've unblocked them, and you won't automatically reconnect — they'll need to send you a new connection request if they want to be in your network again.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is blocking someone when you meant to remove them as a connection. Removing is gentler and reversible — the person can send you a new request later. Blocking is permanent until you manually unblock, so use it only when you're certain you don't want any contact with that person.

Another mistake is assuming the blocked person won't know you blocked them. While LinkedIn doesn't send a notification, they may figure it out if they try to visit your profile and see an error message, or if they notice they can no longer find you in search. If you're blocking a coworker or someone you see regularly, they may ask you about it directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person know I blocked them?

LinkedIn does not send a notification when you block someone. However, if they try to visit your profile or search for you, they may realize they've been blocked. There's no way to block someone completely invisibly on LinkedIn.

Can I block someone without being connected to them?

Yes. You can block anyone on LinkedIn — connections, non-connections, people who've sent you messages, or people you've never interacted with. Visit their profile and use the three-dot menu to block them.

What's the difference between blocking and removing a connection?

Removing a connection simply takes them out of your network, but they can still see your public profile and send you messages. Blocking hides your profile from them completely and prevents all contact. Use removal for people you just want to disconnect from; use blocking for people you want to avoid entirely.

Can I block someone and then unblock them later without them knowing?

Yes. The person won't be notified when you block them or when you unblock them. However, if you unblock them, you won't automatically be reconnected — they'll need to send you a new connection request.

If I block someone, will they see my old posts or comments?

No. Once blocked, they cannot see any of your content, including posts, comments, or likes you've made. Any previous interactions between you will be hidden from their view.