Can You Block People on LinkedIn? Your Complete Guide to the Feature

Taking Back Control: Your Complete Guide to Blocking People on LinkedIn

Let us be honest. LinkedIn is an incredible tool for our professional lives, but it is not always a perfectly polished, conflict-free zone. For every great connection you make, there is a chance you will run into a spammy recruiter, a former colleague with boundary issues, or someone who simply makes you feel uncomfortable. I have been there myself. A few years ago, after leaving a company, a former client began sending me increasingly unprofessional messages that blurred the line between business and personal. It left me feeling uneasy and wondering, “Is there any way to actually block someone on this platform?”

The answer is a resounding yes. You absolutely can, and sometimes you absolutely should, block people on LinkedIn.

This is not about being petty. It is about curating your professional environment and protecting your peace. Your LinkedIn profile is an extension of your professional self, and you have every right to control who has access to you there. This guide is for anyone who has ever felt harassed, spammed, or just plain annoyed on the platform and wondered what their options are. We will walk through the entire process, from the “how-to” to the “what happens next,” in simple, clear language. My goal is to give you the knowledge and confidence to manage your network effectively.

Yes, You Can Block on LinkedIn: Understanding the “Why”

Before we get into the technical steps, it is important to address the hesitation many people feel. On a platform built for networking, blocking can feel like a drastic, almost rude, step. I want to reframe that thinking. Blocking is a standard privacy feature, not a personal attack. It is a tool provided by LinkedIn for your well-being.

Think of your LinkedIn network as your professional guest list. You would not allow someone who was being disruptive or disrespectful to roam freely through a professional conference you were hosting. Your LinkedIn profile is your own personal, 24/7 conference. Blocking is simply you revoking someone’s invitation.

Here are some of the most common and completely valid reasons to use the block feature:

1. Unwanted Advances or Harassment: This is the most critical reason. If someone is sending you inappropriate messages, making you feel uncomfortable, or crossing professional boundaries, you do not need to tolerate it. Your safety and comfort come first, full stop.

2. Persistent Spam Accounts: We have all seen them. The profiles with stock photo headshots that immediately send a connection request followed by a link to a shady website. Blocking these accounts prevents them from reconnecting with you under a slightly different name.

3. Toxic Former Colleagues or Clients: Sometimes, a professional relationship ends poorly. If someone from a past role is using LinkedIn to monitor your activity, harass you, or cause drama, blocking them is a clean and effective way to sever that digital tie and move on.

4. Aggressive Competitors: While most competition is healthy, some individuals might cross a line by poaching your connections or making negative comments on your posts. Blocking them can prevent this kind of professional sabotage.

5. General Peace of Mind: Sometimes, you do not need a dramatic reason. If someone’s constant, low-quality posts or unsolicited sales pitches are clogging your feed and annoying you, you are allowed to block them for the sake of your own user experience. You are the curator of your professional world.

I remember feeling a twinge of guilt the first time I blocked someone. It was a recruiter who would not take “no” for an answer and began messaging me on other social platforms. But the moment I hit that block button, the relief was immediate. The noise stopped, and I could use the platform without that underlying sense of dread. It is your right to have that same peace.

How to Block Someone on LinkedIn: A Step-by-Step Guide for Everyone

The process of blocking someone on LinkedIn is straightforward, but the option is tucked away in a few different places. I will walk you through the three most common methods. I will include instructions for both the desktop website and the mobile app, as the layouts can be slightly different.

Method 1: How to Block from a Profile (The Most Common Way)

This is the method you will use most often when you have found the profile of the person you wish to block.

On Desktop:

1. Navigate to the profile of the person you want to block. You can use the search bar at the top of your LinkedIn homepage to find them.

2. On their profile page, look for the “More…” button. It is located near the top of their profile, right next to the “Message” and “Connect” (or “Connected”) buttons.

3. Click on “More…” and a dropdown menu will appear.

4. From this dropdown menu, select “Block or report.”

5. A new window will pop up. It will ask, “What do you want to do?” and give you two options: “Block” or “Report.” Select “Block [Person’s Name].”

6. You will be asked to confirm your decision. Click “Block” again to confirm.

On the LinkedIn Mobile App:

1. Open the app and go to the profile of the person you want to block.

2. Tap the three dots (the “More” menu) in the top right corner of their profile header.

3. A menu will slide up from the bottom of your screen. Scroll through the options and tap “Block or report.”

4. You will see the same two options. Tap “Block [Person’s Name].”

5. A confirmation message will appear. Tap “Block” to confirm.

Method 2: How to Block from a Messaging Conversation

If the person is actively messaging you and causing an issue, this is the fastest way to block them.

On Desktop:

1. Go to your “Messaging” section by clicking the messaging icon in the top navigation bar.

2. Open the conversation with the person you want to block.

3. At the top of the conversation window, you will see the person’s name and a small “i” inside a circle. Click on that “i” icon.

4. This opens the conversation details. At the bottom of this panel, you will see the option to “Block [Person’s Name].”

5. Click it and confirm your choice.

On the LinkedIn Mobile App:

1. Open the conversation in your messages.

2. Tap on the person’s name or the “i” icon at the top of the screen.

3. This opens the conversation settings. Scroll down, and you will find the “Block” option.

4. Tap it and confirm.

Method 3: How to Block from Your Privacy Settings

This method is less common but useful if you want to see a list of everyone you have already blocked or if you cannot find the person’s profile for some reason.

On Desktop:

1. Click your profile picture in the top right corner of LinkedIn.

2. Select “Settings & Privacy” from the dropdown menu.

3. In the left-hand sidebar, click on “Visibility.”

4. Under the “Visibility of your LinkedIn activity” section, click on “Blocking and hiding.”

5. You will see a section titled “Blocking.” Here, you can type a name into the “Block member” field to block someone new. You will also see a list of all the members you have previously blocked.

The mobile app settings are similar. Go to your profile picture > Settings > Visibility > Blocking and hiding.

No matter which method you choose, the result is the same. The person is now blocked, and the platform’s protections are immediately in place.

What Happens When You Block Someone? The Full Breakdown

This is the part everyone wants to know. What actually changes? LinkedIn is not perfectly transparent about every detail, but based on their official policy and user experiences, here is a comprehensive breakdown of what a blocked person can and cannot do.

What a Blocked Person CANNOT Do:

• View Your Profile: They cannot see your profile page. If they try to visit your profile URL, they will see a “Profile Not Found” message, as if your account has been deleted.

• Message You: All messaging channels are cut off. They cannot send you a new message or see any past messages you had in your shared conversation history.

• See Your Posts or Articles: Your posts will disappear from their feed. They cannot see any content you share on your profile or in groups.

• See Your Activity: They cannot see your likes, comments, or any other activity on the platform.

• Find You in Search: Your name will not appear in their LinkedIn search results.

• Endorse or Recommend You: They lose the ability to give you skills endorsements or write you a recommendation.

• Invite You to Connect: If you were connected, they are automatically removed from your connections. If you were not connected, they cannot send you a connection request.

What a Blocked Person (Theoretically) CAN Still See:
This is where it gets a little nuanced. The block is effective within the LinkedIn “walled garden.” However, information is fluid on the internet.

• Your Public Profile: If your profile is set to be visible to search engines like Google, a blocked person could potentially find a cached version or see a limited preview through a Google search. They still cannot click through to your actual LinkedIn profile from there.

• Group Discussions (Indirectly): If you are both in the same group, they will not see your posts directly in the group feed. However, if another member quotes you or replies to your comment, the blocked person might see that third party’s activity and infer your involvement. They cannot, however, click on your name or see the original comment.

• Shared Connections: If you have mutual connections, the blocked person can still see those shared contacts. They could, in theory, ask a mutual connection about you. This is why blocking is a digital tool, not a magical eraser from all human knowledge.

What Happens to Your Existing Connection and Messages?
When you block someone, you are automatically disconnected from them. Your past message history with them will disappear from your main messaging inbox. It is not deleted from LinkedIn’s servers, but you no longer have access to it. If you unblock them later, the message history does not reappear. That thread is permanently gone from your view.

The Million-Dollar Question: Can They Tell You Blocked Them?

LinkedIn’s official stance is that they do not send a notification when you block someone. The person will not get an email or an in-app alert saying “You have been blocked by John Doe.”

However, they are not stupid. If they try to visit your profile and get a “Profile Not Found” error, the most logical conclusion is that you have either deleted your account or blocked them. If they can still see you interacting in a group through other people’s comments, they will know your account is still active, which leaves only one conclusion: they have been blocked.

So, while LinkedIn does not officially tell them, the effects of the block are often noticeable enough for someone to figure it out. This is something to be mentally prepared for.

How to Unblock Someone on LinkedIn (And Why You Might)

People and situations change. Maybe you blocked a colleague during a heated project dispute and have since reconciled. Or perhaps you blocked a recruiter by accident. The process to unblock someone is simple.

1. Go to your Settings & Privacy (Click your profile picture > Settings & Privacy).

2. Select Visibility from the left sidebar.

3. Click on Blocking and hiding.

4. Under the “Blocking” section, you will see a list of all the members you have blocked.

5. Find the person’s name in the list and click the Unblock link next to it.

6. Confirm your choice.

What happens after you unblock someone? The digital wall comes down. They can see your profile again, and you can see theirs. However, it is important to remember that your connection was severed when you blocked them. Unblocking does not automatically re-send a connection request. You will be two unconnected members of LinkedIn. Your previous message history will also not be restored.

Block vs. Remove Connection: Which Tool Should You Use?

It is crucial to understand that blocking and simply removing a connection are two different tools for two different situations.

Removing a Connection is like quietly moving someone to the edge of your professional network. It is a gentle let-down.

• You are no longer connected.

• They can still view your full profile (unless your settings restrict this).

• They can see your public posts in their feed.

• They can still send you a new connection request or a message.

• Use this for: People you do not know well, contacts who are overly promotional but not harmful, or former colleagues you just do not want as close connections anymore.

Blocking Someone is a full digital severance. It is a firm boundary.

• It includes all the effects of removing a connection, PLUS it makes you invisible to them and prevents all communication.

• Use this for: Harassment, spam, toxic individuals, or anyone you need a complete and total barrier from.

Think of it this way. Removing a connection is saying, “I do not want to be close colleagues.” Blocking is saying, “I do not want you in my professional sphere at all.”

Conclusion: Your Profile, Your Rules

Navigating professional relationships online can be tricky, but you are never without options. The ability to block someone on LinkedIn is a powerful feature designed to give you control and safety. It is not a feature to be used lightly, but it is one you should not be afraid to use when the situation truly calls for it.

Your professional reputation and mental well-being are the most valuable assets you have. Do not let anyone compromise them on a platform that is meant to help you grow. You have the right to curate your network, to set boundaries, and to create a positive and productive online space for yourself. Use the steps in this guide, understand the consequences, and take control with confidence. Your LinkedIn experience should work for you, not against you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: If I block someone, will they know?
A: LinkedIn does not send a notification. However, if they try to visit your profile and see a “Profile Not Found” error while knowing your account is still active, they can deduce they have been blocked.

Q2: Can a blocked person see my profile if we are in the same group?
A: No, they cannot see your profile directly. They may see indirect references to your activity if other group members quote or reply to your comments, but they cannot click on your name or see your original post.

Q3: What is the difference between blocking and removing a connection?
A: Removing a connection simply disconnects you. They can still see your profile and message you. Blocking someone disconnects you AND makes you invisible to them, preventing them from viewing your profile or contacting you.

Q4: What happens to our old messages when I block someone?
A: The message thread will disappear from your inbox. It is not restored if you later unblock the person.

Q5: Can I block someone who has not connected with me?
A: Absolutely. You can block any member on LinkedIn, whether you are connected to them or not. The process is the same.