Delete a connection in LinkedIn [updated]

I want to clean up my LinkedIn connections list and found your article on how to delete contacts in LinkedIn, but it's out of date, Dave. There's no "Connections" option for me to click on. Can you update it or at least let me know how to proceed?

Dave's Answer:

Ah, sorry for that. It's very difficult keeping up with all the user interface changes on social networking sites like LinkedIn and it's inevitable that articles on this site end up out of date or obsolete. Problem is, with over 3000 articles, it'd be a full-time job -- and then some! -- to update everything every time a site changed its menu options, navigational controls or design. The very thought makes me anxious!

On the other hand, almost all major sites now have built-in help systems too, so one possibility if you find I have something obsolete is to simply search for the same solution on the site itself. "delete a connection" is a common help search on LinkedIn, for example. Then again, you're here, let's solve the problem!

The fastest and most flexible way to delete a LinkedIn connection is to start by logging in and click on the "Contacts" menu:

Choose "My Connections" because, well, that's what you want to change, right?

Now it's a bit tricky because there's a very nice display front and center with all your connections in a nice phonebook-like display. That, however, isn't what you want. Instead, look on the top right for "Remove Connections":

Now you again get that slick phonebook (Rolodex?) style directory of your connections, but within this context, these are people you want to delete from your connection list:

Scroll down and find the person (or persons!) you want to not connect with any more and select them:

In this case, I'm going to delete the connection I have with Avinash Deshpande, so I've selected him. Now on the right you can see the "Remove Connections" button has appeared.

Click on that if you're sure you want to sever the tie and...

Double sure? Then click on "Yes, remove them" and they'll no longer be listed as one of your connections:

Done deal. I hope this update helps you manage your LinkedIn connections list!

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Categorized: Twitter, LinkedIn and Social Network Help (Article 10059, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: delete linkedin connection, linkedin, remove connection, unfriending
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Reader Comments To Date: 15

commenter said, on October 24, 2011 2:47 PM:

this post in so many ways shows how useless twitter is

Mark Danby said, on January 1, 2012 6:55 AM:

THANK YOU!!! Good job!

polocanada said, on January 14, 2012 7:51 PM:

Dave,
By removing the connection, will the my contact be informed that I have dumped him/her? Or will my connection simply disappear from his/her connection list?

polocanada said, on January 14, 2012 7:57 PM:

Actually I found answer to my own question...

Connections will not be notified that they have been removed from your connections list. Only the member that breaks the connection can reinitiate that connection.

https://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/49

Pat said, on January 16, 2012 4:28 PM:

I am fed up with total strangers sending me invites. I have to accept because what if it's a customer that I don't recognize? I accept only to find out it's someone calling himself/herself an 'entrepreneur'!
Thanks for helping me get rid of them.

Val Stephen said, on February 16, 2012 5:10 AM:

I have never signed up for Linkedin and do not want to be on it. I have no need to use it. I do not want any invites fron anyone thank you.

Mike Poole said, on May 15, 2012 2:53 PM:

Just a big warm thank you for taking the trouble to write this.

That's all.

Not much more I can say really.

Charles Payne said, on June 6, 2012 10:07 PM:

I want to know if I can remove someone from my CONTACTS. Removing connections is easy but they remain on my CONTACT list. Is there any way to remove CONTACTS not connections?

Thank you.

Matt said, on July 6, 2012 12:21 PM:

Thanks! Not sure how I would have figured this out...

Matt

ErnstB said, on September 5, 2012 7:49 PM:

I also want to remove someone from my CONTACTS list.
How can I do it?!?

Stephane said, on September 20, 2012 11:04 PM:

I tried several times to delete some connections but they keep appearing in my connections list even after a page refresh.

On top of it, it is hard to have a look at the connection profile before deleting it. Make no mistake, it is made hard by design.

Drew Hetherington said, on February 19, 2013 12:43 PM:

Dave:

I've been trying for months to delete some of my contacts (remove connections) but for some unknown reason it won't allow me to do so. Can you help? You're my last resort. Linkedin is NO help! Thanks!

Drew Hetherington
(440) 832-1911 (mobile/anytime)

Lisa said, on March 11, 2013 6:55 AM:

Thanks for the information--you make it quick and easy!

MItchF said, on April 4, 2013 11:28 AM:

You cannot delete contacts for months now. They keep telling me it is being worked on...interesting...you can add and build, but not delete.

agu estrada said, on April 6, 2013 9:16 PM:

Dave, as of Apr7 2013, this is the message i get when i click on the "Remove Connections" link:

There was an unexpected problem that prevented us from completing your request.

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

Delete a connection in LinkedIn [updated]

Reader Comments To Date: 15

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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