You've checked your LinkedIn notifications again, and there it is—that familiar name viewing your profile. Your ex-partner, that pushy recruiter, or someone who just won't take "no" for a start watching your every career move. The anxiety builds as you realize they're monitoring your job updates, seeing who you're connecting with, and potentially using this information in ways that make you deeply uncomfortable.

Many professionals, especially women going through divorces or separations, report feeling stalked on LinkedIn. As one user shared, "A few days ago I made a post about an ex stalking me on LinkedIn," expressing the real distress this platform monitoring can cause. The fear becomes even more acute during sensitive life situations—divorce proceedings, job transitions, or when you're trying to rebuild your professional identity away from toxic relationships.

You start wondering if there's any way to make this stop without them knowing you've blocked them. The thought of confrontation, or worse, them finding workarounds to continue monitoring your activity, keeps you up at night. You've probably tried clicking around the LinkedIn interface, looking for a simple "block" button, only to find yourself frustrated by confusing menu options and settings that don't seem to work as expected.

The Hidden Privacy Crisis on LinkedIn

Here's what many users don't realize: LinkedIn's design actually works against your privacy by default. The platform encourages transparency and connection-building, which means your profile information, job updates, and even your viewing patterns are more visible than you might think. This creates a perfect storm for unwanted monitoring.

The situation becomes particularly problematic when you consider that LinkedIn has become essentially mandatory for many careers. As one frustrated user noted, "LinkedIn is a horrible and giant privacy risk. I hate that it's so normalized (even required) for many types of careers." You can't simply delete your account without potentially harming your professional prospects, yet staying puts your privacy at risk.

What makes this worse is that LinkedIn's blocking features aren't as straightforward as other social media platforms. Many users report clicking "report/block" only to find "it doesn't give me an option to block. It only gives me option to report." This inconsistency leaves users feeling helpless and exposed.

The reality is that effective blocking on LinkedIn requires understanding some non-obvious platform quirks and combining multiple privacy strategies. Once you know these methods, you can regain control over who sees your professional information and eliminate the anxiety of unwanted monitoring.

Step-by-Step: How to Block Someone on LinkedIn

Method 1: Direct Profile Blocking (Desktop)

The most straightforward approach works when you can access the person's profile directly:

1. Navigate to their profile: Use LinkedIn's search bar to find the person you want to block

2. Click the "More" button: Look for the three dots (•••) next to the "Message" button on their profile

3. Select "Report/Block": From the dropdown menu, choose this option

4. Choose "Block [Name]": LinkedIn will present blocking options—select the one to block this specific person

5. Confirm the action: Click "Block" in the confirmation popup

Method 2: Mobile App Blocking (iOS & Android)

If you prefer using the mobile app:

1. Open the LinkedIn app and search for the person's profile

2. Tap the "More" icon (three dots) on their profile page

3. Select "Report/Block" from the menu options

4. Confirm by tapping "Block"

Method 3: Blocking from Messages

If you've received unwanted messages, you can block directly from your inbox:

1. Open the conversation in your LinkedIn messages

2. Click the person's name at the top of the conversation

3. Select "Report/Block" from their profile options

4. Choose to block them

Troubleshooting Common Blocking Issues

Problem: Can't find the block option? This often happens when you're part of a LinkedIn event with that person. As one user discovered, "You can't block anyone you were in an event with. You need to first 'Quit the event' (even if it's a past event) and then the blocking option comes back."

Problem: Only seeing "Report" instead of "Block"? Sometimes LinkedIn's interface shows different options based on your relationship with the person. Try accessing their profile from a different route (search results vs. your connections list) or wait a few minutes and try again.

Problem: Block option grayed out? Ensure you're not trying to block a LinkedIn admin of a group you belong to. You'll need to leave the group first before you can block them.

What Happens When You Block Someone

Understanding the effects of blocking helps you make an informed decision:

Complete Mutual Invisibility: Once blocked, neither of you can see each other's profiles, posts, comments, or activity updates. This creates the professional equivalent of a restraining order.

Message History Disappears: Any existing conversation thread between you will vanish from both accounts. They won't be able to send you new messages or see previous ones.

No Notifications: The blocked person receives no notification about being blocked. From their perspective, your profile simply becomes inaccessible, which maintains your privacy without creating confrontation.

Connection Removal: If you were previously connected, that connection is automatically severed. Any recommendations or endorsements from them will also disappear from your profile permanently.

Search Invisibility: They won't be able to find you in LinkedIn search results, and you won't appear in their "People You May Know" suggestions.

For many users dealing with stalking or harassment, this comprehensive blocking provides immense relief. As recommended by privacy advocates, "This is very important to do, especially if you are planning to file for separation or in the middle of divorce proceedings," since "many scrote exes like to look at your LinkedIn page to see how you're marketing yourself, and to use that against you in court."

Enhanced Privacy: Beyond Basic Blocking

Set Your Profile to Private Mode

Before or after blocking, enhance your privacy by adjusting your viewing settings:

1. Go to Settings & Privacy: Click your profile photo and select "Settings & Privacy"

2. Navigate to Visibility: Choose the "Visibility" section from the left menu

3. Select "Profile viewing options": Click on this setting

4. Switch to "Private Mode": This prevents anyone from seeing that you've viewed their profile

This additional step ensures that even if someone finds a way around your block (through mutual connections, for example), they won't know you've been checking their activity.

Regularly Audit Your Connections

Take control of your network by:

• Removing irrelevant connections that no longer serve your professional goals

• Being selective with new connection requests, especially from people you don't recognize

• Checking who's viewing your profile regularly through LinkedIn's analytics

Manage Your Inbox Like a Professional

If you're dealing with high volumes of LinkedIn messages and need better organization to spot problematic contacts quickly, consider using tools that help you manage your LinkedIn communications more effectively. Kondo transforms your LinkedIn messaging experience by adding features like custom labels and split inboxes, making it easier to categorize and prioritize conversations. You can quickly label suspicious or unwanted contacts and keep them separate from genuine professional communications.

With features like keyboard shortcuts and reminder systems, you can process your LinkedIn inbox more efficiently, ensuring that important messages don't get buried while you deal with blocking unwanted contacts. This becomes particularly valuable when you're actively managing privacy concerns and need to stay on top of who's contacting you.

How to Unblock Someone (If Needed)

If you decide to reverse a block:

1. Access Settings & Privacy: Click your profile photo and select this option

2. Go to Visibility: Select this section from the left sidebar

3. Click on "Blocking": This shows your list of blocked users

4. Find the person: Locate them in your blocked list

5. Click "Unblock": Confirm this action when prompted

Important limitation: LinkedIn enforces a 48-hour waiting period before you can re-block someone after unblocking them. This prevents the blocking feature from being used manipulatively.

Staying Safe: Additional Privacy Measures

Document Everything

If you're blocking someone due to harassment:

• Screenshot problematic messages before blocking (they'll disappear after)

• Keep records of unwanted contact attempts through other channels

• Report serious harassment to LinkedIn's support team in addition to blocking

Professional Network Hygiene

• Limit personal information in your LinkedIn profile if you're concerned about stalking

• Be cautious about posting location updates or real-time professional activities

• Consider using LinkedIn's messaging filters to reduce unwanted contact attempts

Know Your Rights

LinkedIn's professional community policies prohibit harassment and stalking. If blocking doesn't resolve the situation, you can escalate to their support team for additional intervention.

Taking Control of Your Professional Privacy

Blocking someone on LinkedIn should never feel complicated or stressful. Whether you're dealing with an ex monitoring your career moves, persistent spam contacts, or any form of unwanted attention, you have the right to control who can access your professional information.

The key is understanding that LinkedIn's privacy tools work best when used together—blocking combined with private browsing mode and selective connection management creates a comprehensive barrier against unwanted monitoring. Many users report feeling immediate relief after implementing these measures, finally able to focus on their career development without the anxiety of unwanted observation.

Remember, your professional network should enhance your career, not create stress or compromise your safety. Don't hesitate to use LinkedIn's blocking features liberally—there's no limit to how many people you can block, and protecting your peace of mind is always worth it.

If you continue experiencing issues with LinkedIn's blocking functionality, reach out to their support team directly. Your privacy and professional security matter, and you deserve to use the platform without fear or discomfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I block someone on LinkedIn?

You can block someone on LinkedIn by navigating to their profile, clicking the "More" button (three dots), selecting "Report/Block," and then choosing "Block [Name]." This is the most direct method. You can also block users from your mobile app or directly from a message conversation if you've received unwanted messages.

Will the person I block on LinkedIn know I blocked them?

No, the person you block will not receive any notification that you have blocked them. From their perspective, your profile will simply become inaccessible, and any previous connection or message history will disappear. This allows you to maintain your privacy without direct confrontation.

Why can't I block someone on LinkedIn?

You might not be able to block someone if you are both part of the same LinkedIn event; you'll need to "Quit the event" first. Another reason could be that the interface sometimes shows different options; try accessing their profile via a different route (e.g., search vs. connections list). If the block option is grayed out, you might be trying to block a LinkedIn group admin; you'll need to leave the group before blocking them.

What happens when I block someone on LinkedIn?

When you block someone, you achieve complete mutual invisibility: neither of you can see each other's profiles, posts, or activity. Any existing messages will disappear, future messages are prevented, and if you were connected, that connection is severed. They also won't find you in search results or "People You May Know" suggestions.

How can I enhance my privacy on LinkedIn beyond just blocking?

Beyond blocking, you can set your profile viewing options to "Private Mode" so others don't see when you've viewed their profile. Regularly audit your connections, be selective with new requests, and manage your inbox effectively using tools or LinkedIn's features. Limiting personal information on your profile and being cautious about posting real-time location updates also enhances privacy.

Can I unblock someone on LinkedIn if I change my mind?

Yes, you can unblock someone by going to "Settings & Privacy," then "Visibility," and clicking on "Blocking." You'll see a list of people you've blocked, and you can choose to unblock them. However, be aware that LinkedIn enforces a 48-hour waiting period before you can re-block that same person.

For more detailed guidance on LinkedIn privacy settings, visit the official LinkedIn Help Center or consult comprehensive privacy guides from trusted sources.