As you already know, LinkedIn allows you to offer recommendations, search for jobs, and connect with professionals you admire. If you’ve decided that you’re no longer in need of a LinkedIn account, however, there are ways to close those it. LinkedIn actually makes it quick and easy to delete an account.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- How to Permanently Delete Your Own LinkedIn Account
- How to Delete a LinkedIn Account for a Deceased Person Without Their Password
- LinkedIn Account Deletion FAQs
Similarly, if you’re working on managing a loved one’s digital assets after death, you may want to remove their profile from the website. Removing a profile and deleting a LinkedIn account can bring closure and ensure your loved one’s final wishes are taken care of.
The process of removing digital accounts may seem time-consuming. But, getting it done prevents the possibility of sensitive information laying dormant. And it also helps you feel confident that your loved one’s digital legacy is what they wanted.
How to Permanently Delete Your Own LinkedIn Account
Your LinkedIn account can be fairly easily deleted. If you need to have your data completely scrubbed, you can also request that your information be deleted, too.
The LinkedIn site is pretty clear about extending data privacy to any users who request it, which can offer you some peace of mind.
Tip: Ensure that your digital assets are taken care of according to your wishes by making a will. You can easily create one from home with an online will maker like Trust & Will.
1. Sign in and click your picture in the top right corner
First, sign in to your account. In the top right corner of your main dashboard, you’ll see your name and be able to click it to open your main settings menus.
If you can’t sign in, consider using the password recovery tool to get a new password link sent to your email address associated with the account.
2. Click “Account” and “Closing Your LinkedIn Account”
From the main menu, you should see “Account” and below that, “Settings & Privacy.” In that section is a clearly marked section for “Closing Your LinkedIn Account.”
Simply click through that link, and you’ll see how easy it is to begin the process.
3. Follow dialogues to confirmation of account closure
Much like other online accounts, LinkedIn doesn’t want to let you delete your account without thinking about it. The first page will ask you why you’re deleting.
After that, it’ll confirm which account they’re deleting. Finally, they’ll give you an information page about the process of deletion and the consequences of doing so.
This information may be useful, remember that it doesn’t have to dissuade you from deleting the account.
4. Write to customer service for immediate deletion of information
The company gives the caveat that it can take up to 12 months to actually delete your info, though your profile will be deactivated within 24 hours.
Some anonymized data must be retained for reporting purposes. If you specifically want all your data removed, you can send a customer service request and they will delete the data within 30 days.
This process gives you clarity on the timeline, even though some of the data will stick around longer than expected.
How to Delete a LinkedIn Account for a Deceased Person Without Their Password
LinkedIn makes it easy to remove a LinkedIn profile of a deceased person. If you’re working to close out a loved one’s digital accounts, consider enlisting a friend or family member to help for LinkedIn.
This is easier than for some sites since you don’t have to be the executor of their estate to complete this process. As part of our post-loss checklist, we highly recommend deleting or disabling any accounts you're able to access.
Tip: You can continue a loved one's digital legacy with a virtual memorial on a platform like GatheringUs. They even have specialists who can guide and support you through the planning process.
1. Visit LinkedIn’s page for deceased individual profiles
Gather the information you have about the deceased person. This can include the date of death and their online obituary, if possible.
Visit the LinkedIn form and fill out all the details about the profile you are reporting as belonging to someone who is deceased.
2. Wait for confirmation of the deletion
While this process isn’t to take ownership of the account, the deletion of the profile should also deletion of your loved one’s data.
If you have reason to believe the profile isn’t fully deleted, contact LinkedIn Support for further details on why they haven’t completed the process.
LinkedIn Account Deletion FAQs
LinkedIn's customer service tends to be pretty responsive to your needs, but here are some answers in case you’re still having issues.
Can you delete your LinkedIn account on mobile?
The account menu on the mobile app may be changed over time. But, at the time of writing, the process above works for the LinkedIn website and for the application.
If you have the LinkedIn app, you should be able to delete your account and then uninstall the application.
Can you delete your account if you can’t remember your email?
While you can go through the typical attempt to recover a password, not having your email may result in not being able to log in.
Getting your account deleted will depend on contacting customer service and providing any required proof.
How do I cancel LinkedIn Premium for me or a loved one?
Deleting LinkedIn Premium for yourself involves clicking on your “Me” icon in the site, clicking “Premium Subscription Settings” then “Manage Premium Account.”
From there, you’ll click “Cancel Subscription,” and confirm that this is what you want. To do the same for a loved one, you’ll use the same form mentioned above, but mention that the individual had a premium account that you wish to cancel. They'll help verify that this account subscription is finished.
Concluding Your Connections on LinkedIn
However exciting it is to network on LinkedIn, it isn’t the only way to make these connections. It’s completely fair that so some people find that it is a good idea to end their LinkedIn account.
Some people find the process laborious for canceling a LinkedIn account for a deceased loved one. If this happens to you, you may want to give some attention to your own digital legacy. Consider finding a great password manager, or start end-of-life planning the easy way by taking it a step at a time.
These processes may never be easy or swift, but they are well worth the effort. You’ll find that, in no time, you’ve closed an account that you no longer want to handle and manage, and you’ll be freer for it.