LinkedIn lets you delete your account, but the process takes time and leaves some of your data behind

To delete your LinkedIn account permanently, you go to your settings, find the account closure option, and confirm the deletion. LinkedIn then takes up to 30 days to remove your profile from their servers. During that waiting period, you can still log back in and cancel the deletion if you change your mind. After 30 days, your account and most of your data are gone — but not all of it.

The catch is that LinkedIn keeps some information even after deletion: messages you sent to other users stay in their inboxes, recommendations you gave remain on other people's profiles, and any content you posted in groups may still be visible. If you want to remove those traces before you delete, you need to do that work first.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting your account takes 30 days from the moment you request it, and you can cancel the deletion anytime during that window by logging back in.
  • Messages, recommendations, and group posts you created stay visible to others even after your account is deleted.
  • LinkedIn keeps some data longer for legal and business reasons, including information about your connections and activity history.
  • If you want a clean break, delete or edit your posts, remove recommendations, and message your contacts before you request account deletion.

The step-by-step process to delete your account

Start by logging into LinkedIn on a computer (the mobile app does not have the account closure option). Go to your profile photo in the top right corner and click "Settings and privacy." Then click "Settings" in the dropdown menu.

On the Settings page, look for the left sidebar and scroll down to find "Account management." Click that section. You will see an option that says "Close account." Click it. LinkedIn will ask you why you are leaving — you can skip this or answer it. Then you will see a warning that explains what happens: your profile disappears, but messages and recommendations stay. Check the box that says you understand, and click "Close account." LinkedIn sends you a confirmation email. Your account is now in deletion mode.

From this point, you have 30 days. If you log back in during those 30 days, your account reactivates and the deletion request cancels. After 30 days pass with no login, LinkedIn permanently removes your profile.

What disappears and what stays behind

When your account is deleted, your profile page vanishes. People cannot search for you or view your work history, skills, or photo. Your connections list disappears from your profile. Any job postings you created as a recruiter are removed. Your saved articles and job searches are gone.

What does not disappear: every message you ever sent to another user stays in their inbox with your name attached. Every recommendation you wrote for someone else remains on their profile. Every comment you posted in a LinkedIn group stays visible, with your name and photo still showing. If you shared an article or made a post in a group, that content remains. This is by design — LinkedIn treats your messages and recommendations as belonging partly to the other person, not just to you.

LinkedIn also keeps records of your activity for legal reasons. They retain information about your connections, the groups you joined, and when you logged in. This data is not visible to the public, but it exists in LinkedIn's systems for up to one year after deletion.

How to clean up before you delete

If you want to remove your traces before your account closes, start with your posts. Go to your profile, find each post you made, click the three dots in the corner, and select "Delete." Do this for every public post. Group posts are harder — you have to go into each group, find your posts, and delete them individually. LinkedIn does not have a bulk delete option.

Next, handle recommendations. Go to your profile and find the "Recommendations" section. Click the three dots next to each recommendation you gave and select "Remove." This removes your name from that recommendation, though the recommendation itself stays on the other person's profile.

For messages, there is no way to delete them from the other person's inbox. You can only delete them from your own message history. If you want to contact people before you go, do that now — send them a message saying you are leaving and provide an alternate way to reach you.

What happens if you deactivate instead of deleting

LinkedIn offers two options: deactivate or delete. Deactivation is temporary. Your profile goes hidden, but your account still exists. You can reactivate anytime by logging back in. Your messages, recommendations, and posts all stay exactly where they are. Deactivation is useful if you think you might come back to LinkedIn later.

Deletion is permanent after 30 days. You cannot get your account back. Use deletion if you are sure you will not need LinkedIn again. Use deactivation if you just want to step away for a while.

Why LinkedIn keeps some data after deletion

LinkedIn is required by law to keep certain records. If you were involved in a dispute with an employer, a recruiter, or another user, LinkedIn may need to produce records of your activity for a legal case. They also keep data to prevent fraud — if someone tries to create a fake account using your information, LinkedIn's records help them spot it.

Messages and recommendations stay because they are considered part of other people's data, not just yours. When you send a message, the recipient owns a copy of it. When you recommend someone, that recommendation becomes part of their professional record. LinkedIn cannot delete someone else's data just because you asked them to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my account back after 30 days?

No. After 30 days, your account is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. If you log in during the 30-day window, your account reactivates and the deletion cancels. After that window closes, you would have to create a brand new account from scratch.

Will my profile show up in search results after I delete it?

Not when ready. LinkedIn removes your profile from search results right away, even during the 30-day waiting period. However, Google and other search engines may still have cached versions of your profile for a while. You can ask Google to remove your profile from their cache by using Google Search Console.

What if I want to delete my account but keep my data?

LinkedIn lets you read your data before you delete. Go to Settings, click "Data privacy," and select "Get a copy of your data." LinkedIn emails you a file with your profile information, connections, and messages. read this before you request account deletion.

Do I lose my job if I delete LinkedIn?

Deleting LinkedIn does not affect your employment. Your employer may use LinkedIn to find candidates or verify credentials, but deleting your account does not change your job status or your ability to work. Some recruiters may not be able to reach you, but that is a choice you make when you delete.

How long does it really take to delete?

LinkedIn says 30 days, but the actual timeline varies. Some accounts are fully removed in a few days. Others take the full 30 days. LinkedIn does not give a specific date — they just say "up to 30 days." During this time, your profile is hidden but your account still exists in their system.