Sometimes, a digital spring cleaning is in order, and that might include reassessing your professional networks. If you’ve decided that LinkedIn no longer serves your career goals or you’re simply looking to reduce your online footprint, knowing how to permanently close your account is essential. It’s a straightforward process, but it’s important to know what you’re getting into before you take the plunge.
What to Know Before You Delete Your Profile
Before you say your final goodbye, there are a few key things to consider. Deleting your LinkedIn account is a permanent action. This means your profile, connections, messages, and recommendations will be permanently erased and cannot be recovered. If you think you might want to return one day, consider simply deactivating your account or adjusting your privacy settings to hide your profile instead. It’s also a good idea to download a copy of your data, such as your connections and any posts you’ve made, for your own records.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Account Deletion
Ready to proceed? The entire process is managed through LinkedIn’s settings. First, click on your profile picture in the top right corner of any LinkedIn page and select Settings & Privacy. Under the Account preferences section, you will find an option called Account management. Click on that, and you’ll see the choice to Close account. LinkedIn will then guide you through a few screens asking for your reason for leaving. After you provide a reason and enter your account password, you will confirm the deletion.
What Happens Immediately After You Click Delete
Once you confirm, your profile will begin to disappear from the platform. However, it’s not instant. LinkedIn states that it may take up to 24 hours for your account to be fully deleted. During this time, some residual information might still be visible to others, but it will soon be completely removed. Also, note that if you used your LinkedIn account to sign up for other services, like SlideShare or LinkedIn Learning, those accounts may also be affected.
Taking control of your online presence is a powerful step. By carefully considering your decision and following the correct steps, you can ensure a smooth and final exit from the platform, giving you peace of mind as you move forward.
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