How to Block Someone on LinkedIn: Desktop, Mobile, and Unblock Steps

LinkedIn is designed for professional networking, but that does not mean every interaction is positive. At some point, you may want to stop a recruiter from constantly messaging you, cut off a former colleague who will not let go, or protect yourself from harassment or spam. In those situations, knowing how to block someone on LinkedIn calmly and correctly is essential.

This guide explains, in clear and practical terms, how blocking works on LinkedIn, how to do it on desktop and mobile, how to reverse it later, and how to decide whether blocking is the best choice for your situation.

Why LinkedIn Includes a Block Feature

LinkedIn, like other major platforms, offers block and report tools to help users manage abuse, harassment, spam, and privacy concerns. According to LinkedIn’s official help documentation, blocking is one of several safety features built into the platform, alongside tools for reporting inappropriate content, adjusting visibility settings, and controlling who can message you.

More broadly, research on online harassment shows that abuse and unwanted contact can harm people’s wellbeing and willingness to participate online, which is one reason most large platforms provide block and report tools as standard safety measures.

Common reasons people block on LinkedIn

• Repeated unsolicited pitches or spam messages.
• Unwanted contact from a former colleague, manager, or client.
• Harassing, rude, or threatening messages.
• Stalking concerns, such as someone consistently viewing your profile or referencing your online activity.
• The need to create some professional distance during a job search or after leaving an employer.

Blocking is a strong action, but in some circumstances, it creates necessary distance so you can focus on your career without distraction or risk.

What Exactly Happens When You Block Someone on LinkedIn

Before you block anybody, you should understand what changes for both sides. LinkedIn documents several consequences of blocking a member, and they are designed to sharply limit interaction between the two accounts.

Blocking is therefore more than just muting messages; it effectively severs the visible link between your account and the other person’s account on the platform.

How to Block Someone on LinkedIn (Desktop Step-by-Step)

On a computer, blocking someone usually takes less than a minute. You must visit the person’s profile to perform the action directly in most situations.

Step-by-step on the web

1. Open LinkedIn and log in.
   Use a desktop browser and sign in to your account.
2. Go to the person’s profile.
   Use the search bar at the top to find the member you want to block and click their name to open their profile page.
3. Locate the “More” menu.
   Near the top of their profile, next to buttons like “Message” or “Connect,” you will see an option often shown as three dots (• • •). This is the overflow or “More” menu.
4. Choose the block option.
   Click the dots, then select an item that combines reporting and blocking (for example, an entry labeled similar to “Report/Block”). In the dialog, choose the specific command to block that member.
5. Confirm the block.
   LinkedIn will display a confirmation message. Review what blocking will do, then click to confirm.

After confirmation, that person will appear on your internal blocked list in your privacy settings, and the restrictions described earlier apply immediately.

How to Block Someone in the LinkedIn Mobile App

The process on iOS and Android is very similar to the desktop version; the buttons are simply sized and placed for touch screens. LinkedIn’s design guidelines emphasize accessibility and consistent navigation patterns across platforms, which is why the menus and icons are kept similar between devices.

Blocking via the mobile app

1. Open the LinkedIn app.
   Launch the app on your smartphone or tablet and confirm you are signed in.
2. Find the person’s profile.
   Use the search bar at the top to locate the member, then tap their name to open their profile.
3. Tap the three-dot menu.
   In the upper-right area of the profile, tap the three dots (• • •) that open the overflow menu.
4. Select the block option.
   From the options that appear, choose the item that allows you to report or block the member, then select the specific block command.
5. Confirm on the pop-up screen.
   Read the short explanation of what blocking does, then tap the button to confirm.

Once you confirm, the same restrictions apply as they do on desktop. You do not need to repeat the action on each device; blocking is tied to your account, not to a specific phone or computer.

How to See and Manage Your Blocked List

Over time, you may forget who you have blocked. LinkedIn provides a centralized place in your settings where you can view and manage all blocked accounts.

Viewing blocked accounts (desktop)

1. Open “Settings & Privacy”.
   Click your profile picture in the upper-right corner and select an item similar to “Settings & Privacy” from the menu.
2. Go to visibility or privacy controls.
   In the left-hand navigation, look for a tab that controls visibility or privacy.
3. Find the blocking section.
   Scroll until you see a section related to blocking. Click it, and LinkedIn will display a list of people you have blocked.
4. Review entries.
   From here, you can simply review who is blocked or choose to unblock a member if you have changed your mind.

Managing blocked accounts in the app

The steps are parallel in the mobile app:

• Tap your profile photo to open settings.
• Choose an item labeled similarly to “Settings” or “Settings & Privacy”.
• Go to the section that controls visibility and blocking.
• Open your blocked list to review or adjust it.

Unblocking Someone on LinkedIn

If you decide that blocking someone is no longer necessary, you can reverse it. LinkedIn’s documentation notes that you can remove a member from your blocked list at any time, though there may be a limited waiting period before you could block the same person again.

Steps to unblock a member

1. Go to your blocked list.
   Use the steps above to open the blocking section in your account settings.
2. Locate the member.
   Scroll through the list to find the person you want to unblock.
3. Click or tap “Unblock”.
   Next to their name, select the option to unblock.
4. Confirm and, if requested, enter your password.
   LinkedIn sometimes requires you to re-enter your password as a security check before unblocking someone. Confirm to complete the process.

Once unblocked, the person regains the ability to view your profile subject to your general privacy settings, and you can interact again on the platform. However, if you were previously connected, you are not automatically reconnected; you would need to send a new connection request if both parties are comfortable with that.

When Blocking Is the Right Choice (and When to Consider Other Options)

Blocking is a powerful tool, but it is not the only way to protect your experience on LinkedIn. In some cases, adjusting privacy settings or using reporting tools can be just as effective.

Situations where blocking is usually appropriate

• Harassment or abuse. If someone sends threatening, hateful, or clearly inappropriate messages, blocking and reporting are strongly advisable. Large platforms, including LinkedIn and others, encourage using these tools to keep the environment safe.
• Persistent unwanted contact. When you have clearly asked someone to stop messaging you and they continue, blocking may be necessary to enforce that boundary.
• Stalking or safety concerns. If you are worried about your personal safety or feel monitored, blocking creates an important layer of separation.

Alternatives to blocking

In milder situations, consider whether these options are sufficient:

• Adjust profile visibility. LinkedIn allows you to control what is publicly visible on your profile, what is visible to connections, and what is restricted.
• Limit who can see your activity. You can change whether people see updates when you edit your profile or follow new companies.
• Restrict messaging sources. You can adjust who is allowed to send you connection requests or InMail-style messages.
• Mute or ignore instead of blocking. In some cases, ignoring a message thread or mentally downgrading a connection (while limiting how much you interact with their content) is enough.

How Blocking Affects Your Professional Reputation

Because LinkedIn is centered on your career, many people worry that blocking others may appear unprofessional or create awkwardness. In practice, using safety and privacy tools responsibly is considered a normal part of modern online life. Official guidance from major platforms emphasizes that users should feel empowered to protect themselves and their data.

Keep in mind:

• The other person is not notified directly when you block them.
• Most professionals understand that people occasionally adjust privacy settings or sever digital ties.
• Protecting your safety and emotional bandwidth is more important than preserving a connection that makes you uncomfortable.

If you are blocking a former coworker, manager, or client and you are concerned about offline consequences, document any problematic behaviour (messages, emails, or posts) and consider speaking with HR or another trusted advisor if you feel at risk.

Best Practices for Staying Safe and Professional on LinkedIn

Blocking is only one part of maintaining a healthy LinkedIn experience. Combining a few simple habits can significantly reduce the chances that you will need to use the block feature frequently.

• Review privacy settings regularly. At least a couple of times a year, revisit your visibility and communication settings to align them with your current job search status and comfort level.
• Be selective with connections. You do not need to accept every request. Prioritize people you know, have met, or can clearly see a professional reason to connect with.
• Avoid oversharing personal details. Keeping sensitive information (like personal phone numbers or private email addresses) off your public profile limits how easily strangers can contact you outside the platform.
• Respond only when appropriate. It is acceptable to ignore messages that are clearly irrelevant, overly aggressive in selling, or make you uncomfortable.
• Use reporting when behaviour violates rules. If you see content or messages that may violate LinkedIn’s professional community policies, use the report function so the platform can review them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does LinkedIn tell someone when I block them?

No. LinkedIn does not send a notification that says you have blocked the person. However, they might notice indirect signs, such as being unable to view your profile, message you, or see your posts.

Can I block a company page instead of a person?

LinkedIn’s blocking tools are primarily designed for individual member accounts. While you cannot usually block a company page in the same way, you can reduce how often you interact with a company’s content by unfollowing it, hiding its posts, or reporting any inappropriate updates that appear in your feed.

If I unblock someone, will we become connections again automatically?

No. Unblocking only removes the restrictions created by blocking. If you were previously connected, that connection does not automatically return. You would need to send a fresh connection request, and the other person would need to accept it.

Can a blocked person still see my comments elsewhere?

Blocking is meant to keep your profiles and direct interactions separate. In general, they should not see your profile or be able to comment on or react to your posts. However, on any rapidly evolving platform, there may occasionally be edge cases where public content appears in indirect ways, so it is wise not to post anything online that you would be uncomfortable defending professionally.

Should I report someone as well as blocking them?

If someone’s behaviour involves harassment, hate, threats, scams, or other clear violations of professional standards, reporting them in addition to blocking helps the platform identify and address harmful accounts. Blocking protects you personally; reporting can help protect others.

Written by

Medha Deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. Medha specializes in the areas of beauty, health, sports, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is…