LinkedIn stands as a powerful platform for professionals to connect, explore career opportunities, and showcase their expertise. However, there are times when you might consider deleting your LinkedIn account. Whether you’re prioritizing your online privacy, shifting career paths, or simply streamlining your social media presence, removing your LinkedIn profile is a relatively simple process.
This guide will walk you through the complete steps on how to delete your LinkedIn account permanently. We’ll cover everything from preparing your account for deletion to the final steps on both desktop and mobile platforms.
Reasons to Delete Your LinkedIn Account
Before diving into the “how to,” let’s explore some common reasons why individuals choose to delete their LinkedIn accounts:
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Privacy Concerns: In an era of heightened data privacy awareness, many users are cautious about their digital footprint. Deleting your LinkedIn account can reduce your online exposure and limit the amount of personal information available online.
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Career Transition: If you’re retiring, changing industries, or taking a career break, maintaining a LinkedIn profile might become less relevant to your current goals.
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Social Media Overload: Feeling overwhelmed by social media is a common experience. If LinkedIn contributes to platform fatigue, deleting your account can be a step towards simplifying your digital life.
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Account Duplication: It’s not uncommon to accidentally create multiple LinkedIn profiles over time. Deleting redundant accounts helps maintain a clean and focused online presence.
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Personal Choice: Sometimes, the decision to delete a LinkedIn account is simply a matter of personal preference. You might find the platform no longer aligns with your needs or interests.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Delete LinkedIn Account
The process for deleting your LinkedIn account is similar on both web browsers and mobile devices. Here’s a detailed breakdown for each:
How to Delete LinkedIn Account on Desktop (Web Browser)
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Sign into Your LinkedIn Account: Go to the LinkedIn website and log in to the account you intend to delete using your email address and password.
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Access Settings & Privacy: Once logged in, locate your profile icon in the top right corner of the LinkedIn homepage. Click on the “Me” icon. From the dropdown menu, select “Settings & Privacy.”
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Navigate to Account Management: On the “Settings & Privacy” page, you will see several tabs at the top. Click on the “Account preferences” tab. Scroll down to the “Account Management” section and find the option labeled “Close account.” Click on “Change” next to it.
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Specify Your Reason for Closing: LinkedIn will ask you to provide a reason for deleting your account. Select the option that best describes your reason from the dropdown menu. Click “Next” to proceed.
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Verify Your Identity and Confirm Deletion: For security purposes, LinkedIn will prompt you to re-enter your account password to verify your identity. After entering your password, click the “Close account” button to finalize the deletion process.
How to Delete LinkedIn Account on Mobile App
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Launch the LinkedIn Mobile App: Open the LinkedIn app on your smartphone or tablet and log in to your account.
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Go to Settings: Tap on your profile picture located in the top left corner of the app to access the sidebar menu. Then, tap on “Settings.”
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Find Account Management: Within the “Settings” menu, scroll down and tap on “Account preferences.” Under this section, find and tap on “Account management.”
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Choose to Close Account: In the “Account management” settings, you’ll see the “Close account” option. Tap on it to begin the deletion process.
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Select a Reason and Confirm: Similar to the desktop process, LinkedIn will ask you to choose a reason for closing your account. Select an appropriate reason and tap “Next.” Finally, enter your password when prompted and tap “Done” to permanently delete your LinkedIn account.
Important Steps Before You Delete Your LinkedIn Account
Before you proceed with permanently deleting your LinkedIn profile, consider these crucial steps:
Download Your LinkedIn Data
LinkedIn allows you to download a copy of your data, including your connections, messages, and activity history. This can be valuable for keeping records of your professional network and conversations.
- Access Data Download Settings: Navigate to “Settings & Privacy” as described earlier.
- Go to Data Privacy: Click on the “Data privacy” tab.
- Request Your Data Archive: Under “Get a copy of your data,” you will find options to choose what data to download. Select the desired options and click “Request archive.” LinkedIn will then prepare and notify you when your data archive is ready for download.
Cancel LinkedIn Premium Subscriptions
If you are a LinkedIn Premium subscriber, it’s essential to cancel your premium subscription before deleting your account to avoid future charges. This also applies if you are the owner of a LinkedIn Group or have a Recruiter or Sales Navigator license.
Manage Duplicate LinkedIn Accounts
If you suspect you have multiple LinkedIn accounts, consider merging them instead of deleting. LinkedIn offers a merge account option within the “Account management” settings. However, if you prefer to delete duplicate accounts, ensure you are deleting the correct profile.
How to Reopen Your LinkedIn Account
If you reconsider deleting your LinkedIn account, you have a brief window to reactivate it. LinkedIn allows you to reopen your account within 14 days of deletion.
- Log in with Your Credentials: Simply visit the LinkedIn website or open the mobile app and log in using your original username (email address) and password.
- Follow Reactivation Prompts: LinkedIn will guide you through the account reopening process. However, be aware that some data, such as endorsements and recommendations, may not be fully restored.
Deleting your LinkedIn account is a permanent action, and it’s important to be fully informed before proceeding. By following this comprehensive guide, you can confidently delete your account, knowing you’ve taken all necessary steps to manage your data and online presence effectively. Whether you’re decluttering your digital life or making a strategic career move, deleting your LinkedIn account can be a positive step when aligned with your goals.
Related Articles:
How to Cancel Your LinkedIn Premium Account
Understanding the Impact of LinkedIn on Recruitment
Frequently Asked Questions About Deleting LinkedIn
What is the process to delete my LinkedIn account?
Follow the step-by-step instructions provided in the “How To Delete Linkedin Account” sections above, whether you are using a web browser or the mobile app.
Is deleting a LinkedIn account permanent?
Yes, deleting your LinkedIn account is a permanent action. After 14 days, your account and profile information will be permanently removed from LinkedIn.
Can I temporarily deactivate my LinkedIn account?
No, LinkedIn does not offer a temporary deactivation option. The only way to remove your profile from public view is to permanently delete your account.
What happens to my connections when I delete my LinkedIn account?
When you delete your account, you will lose all your LinkedIn connections. They will no longer be able to find you on the platform, and you will no longer have access to your network.
Will deleting my LinkedIn account remove my profile from search engines?
It may take some time for search engines like Google to remove your LinkedIn profile from their search results after you delete your account. However, the profile will eventually be removed from search engine indexes.
How do I ensure all my data is removed from LinkedIn?
Deleting your LinkedIn account initiates the process of removing your data from LinkedIn’s servers. While LinkedIn aims to remove all data, you can also download a copy of your data beforehand for your records.
What if I have multiple LinkedIn accounts?
If you have multiple accounts, you should identify all of them and decide whether to delete or merge them. Ensure you are logged into the correct account before initiating the deletion process.
Can I recreate my LinkedIn profile after deleting it?
Yes, you can create a new LinkedIn profile after deleting your old one. However, you will start with a fresh profile and will need to rebuild your connections and profile information.
What should I do with my LinkedIn Premium subscription before deleting?
Cancel your LinkedIn Premium subscription before deleting your account to avoid any further charges. Ensure that your subscription is fully canceled.
Where do I find the “Close account” option in LinkedIn settings?
The “Close account” option is located within “Settings & Privacy” under the “Account preferences” tab, in the “Account Management” section.
