How to Delete Your LinkedIn Account

It surprises me to see that one of the most frequently searched Linked-related questions in the UK, according to Semrush, is ‘how to delete LinkedIn account’, with 2,400 average monthly searches.

WHY is this the case?

I know I’m biased here. Not only am I personally a huge fan of LinkedIn, but I also make my living from it as an international LinkedIn trainer. But honestly, it baffles me. Why would anyone want to get rid of such a powerful business-to-business relationship building tool?

It is the one universal place where your personal brand is truly reflected as you want it to appear!

However, there are four reasons I can think of as to why people would want to permanently delete such a valuable resource:

1. A (perceived) lack of time
2. Lack of understanding
3. You have retired from business and see no benefit to you
4. You have had a bad experience and simply want to exit, fast

1) Lack of Time

It may appear that the people who are successful on LinkedIn spend all day on there.

Let me assure you, as I wrote in another blog post, if you’re smart about using LinkedIn the right way, you can make your time on LinkedIn efficient as well as effective.

I believe that a little and often is the secret to success on LinkedIn.

All you require is about 15–20 minutes a day. But 15-20 minutes spent doing the right things!

Oh, and you don’t need an upgraded version to be assured of success!

2) Lack of Understanding

To judge if something is worth having, you first need to establish why you wanted it in the first place.

Did you set out with a goal to achieve something from your time spent on LinkedIn?

No? Then perhaps this is the starting point.

If your objective for having LinkedIn was to sell things, then it’s no wonder you’re considering deleting it! Selling on LinkedIn is a by-product of connecting with the right audience and building a relationship first. Opening a relationship with any attempt to sell your product or service will lead to disappointment!

You cannot control the moment when someone may wish to purchase your product or service. The key to success is to keep adding value to your audience, putting you front of mind when that person requires what you do!

Over time and after strategically and consistently making an effort to build relationships, you will organically generates leads and opportunities that may eventually convert into sales.

LinkedIn is about helping people find you online and establishing your reputation as an expert in your field. Building Trust. You can do this by posting your own valuable ideas and suggestions and actively engaging with other people’s content that interests you.

A substantial key to success is to engage with your audience by commenting on people’s posts, adding value, and joining the debates, questions, and conversations.

Encourage and motivate others by endorsing and recommending them. You’ll soon learn an abundance of new things, and people will begin to trust in your knowledge and experience. They will buy into your personal brand, and your skills will speak for themselves.

3) You Are Retiring

Users often wish to know how to delete their LinkedIn account when they retire. But why would you wish to sever all the valuable relationships you have undoubtedly made throughout your career? Those relationships may bring additional benefits to your life in the future and keep you connected with your past endeavours. LinkedIn, after all, is a social experience!

Retirement doesn’t mean LinkedIn cannot remain a place to feel connected. And as a person with much experience, what value do you have to share to give back and support your community? It can be a very rewarding experience to give back.

Perhaps it is time to review your goals for being on LinkedIn and treat it as a place to be social with the audience you have nurtured over many years.

A deletion of your account is terminal. Think it through carefully first!

4) You’ve Had a Bad Experience

I hear you. And I’m sorry this has happened to you.

Did you report it to LinkedIn?

Is there no way back?

Keeping it professional on LinkedIn is important.

But if you have another reason I haven’t mentioned and still wish to go ahead, here is how to delete your LinkedIn account:

How to Delete a LinkedIn Account

1. Click the ‘Me’ icon (where your profile picture appears on the top navigation) in the top right-hand corner.
2. Select the ‘Settings & Privacy’ option from the drop-down menu.
3. In the ‘Account preferences’ tab, found on the left, scroll down to the foot of the column. You’ll see the option to ‘Close account’.
4. Simply follow the steps outlined, but beware … you’ll lose all the valuable Connections and Followers you’ve spent time and effort to build. Why not download them all before you close your account so you can maintain a record for yourself?

If you are considering deleting your LinkedIn account, I’d strongly recommend getting in touch with me.

Perhaps you’re just not sure what to do with your LinkedIn profile? In that case, I offer full LinkedIn training to teach people how to fully leverage the platform, as well as LinkedIn Consultancy and Coaching.