What blocking does on LinkedIn
Blocking someone on LinkedIn prevents that person from seeing your profile, sending you messages, or viewing your posts and activity. Once you block them, they cannot find you through search, cannot see your connections list, and cannot tag you in posts or articles. The block is one-way — they may not know they are blocked, though they will notice if they try to visit your profile and see a message saying the page is not available.
Blocking is different from removing a connection. When you remove a connection, you both disappear from each other's contact lists, but they can still see your public profile and send you a message request. A block is more complete — it cuts off all contact paths and hides your profile from them entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone removes them from your connections and hides your entire profile from their view, including your posts and activity.
- You can block someone from their profile page, from your connections list, or from a message they sent you.
- LinkedIn does not notify the person you blocked, though they will see an error if they search for you or try to visit your profile.
- You can unblock someone at any time by finding them in your blocked list and reversing the block.
How to block someone from their profile
The most direct way to block is to visit the person's profile page. Look for the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of their profile card (on desktop) or at the top of their profile (on mobile). Click or tap that menu, and you will see a list of options including "Block."
Select "Block" and LinkedIn will ask you to confirm. You can choose whether to also remove the connection at the same time — LinkedIn will suggest this, but the block itself is what matters. Once confirmed, the block takes effect when ready. Their profile will no longer appear in your search results, and any messages between you will still exist in your inbox but you will not be able to reply.
How to block someone from your connections list
If you want to block someone without visiting their profile, go to your "My Network" tab and select "Connections." Scroll through your list or use the search box to find the person. Hover over their name (on desktop) or tap their card (on mobile) until you see the three-dot menu appear.
Click the menu and select "Block." You will see the same confirmation screen. This method is faster if you have a large connections list and do not want to navigate to their full profile first.
How to block someone who messaged you
If someone sends you a message you want to block, you can block them directly from the conversation. Open the message thread, then look for the three-dot menu at the top of the conversation (on desktop, this is usually in the top right of the message window). Tap or click it and select "Block."
This approach is useful when you receive unwanted messages from someone you do not know well or do not want contact from. The block prevents them from sending you any further messages.
What happens after you block someone
Once the block is in place, the person cannot see your profile, your posts, your articles, or your activity updates. They cannot send you messages or connection requests. If they search for your name, your profile will not appear in their results. If they try to visit your profile directly (for example, if they have an old link), they will see a message saying the page is not available.
Your past messages with them remain in your inbox, but you cannot reply to them. If you were connected before the block, you will no longer appear in their connections list. Any comments you made on their posts before the block will remain visible, but they will not see new activity from you.
How to unblock someone
If you change your mind, you can unblock someone at any time. Go to your LinkedIn settings by clicking your profile photo in the top right corner and selecting "Settings and privacy." Then click "Privacy" on the left side menu.
Scroll down to "Blocking and hiding" and select "Manage blocked users." You will see a list of everyone you have blocked. Find the person you want to unblock and click "Unblock." They will when ready be able to see your profile and send you messages again.
When to block versus other options
Blocking is the right choice when someone is harassing you, sending unwanted messages repeatedly, or you want no contact with them at all. If you straightforward want to reduce how much you see from someone, LinkedIn also offers a "mute" feature — muting hides their posts from your feed without blocking them entirely, and they will not know you muted them.
If someone is sending you spam or inappropriate content, you can also report them to LinkedIn instead of (or in addition to) blocking. Reporting alerts LinkedIn's safety team, while blocking only affects what you see. For most cases of unwanted contact from people you know, blocking is the fastest solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
LinkedIn does not send a notification when you block someone. However, they may figure it out if they try to visit your profile and see an error, or if they notice you have disappeared from their connections list. There is no way for them to see a formal "you have been blocked" message from LinkedIn.
Can I block someone and then unblock them later?
Yes. You can unblock someone at any time through your blocked users list in settings. When you unblock them, they can see your profile and contact you again, but you will not automatically reconnect — they will need to send a new connection request.
What if I block someone by mistake?
Go to your blocked users list in settings and unblock them when ready. There is no penalty for blocking and unblocking, and the person will not receive a notification about either action. Once unblocked, your profile will be visible to them again.
Does blocking someone remove past messages?
No. Messages you exchanged before the block remain in your inbox and theirs. You straightforward cannot reply to them or start new conversations. If you want to delete a conversation entirely, you can delete the message thread separately from blocking.
Can I block someone on mobile the same way as desktop?
The steps are nearly identical on mobile and desktop. The main difference is that on mobile you tap the three-dot menu instead of clicking it, and the menu may appear in a slightly different location on the screen. The "Block" option itself is in the same place on both versions.