Your network and connection degrees
LinkedIn distinguishes between different types of connections. The better you understand them, the more effectively you can interact.
Direct connections: The 1st degree of your network
Direct connections are people you have personally invited or whose invitation you have accepted. For these connections, you will see the 1st-degree symbol in search results and on their profile. You can communicate with them directly via LinkedIn messages.
2nd- and 3rd-degree connections: Your extended reach
2nd-degree connections are connected to you through a shared direct connection. 3rd-degree connections are linked through 2nd-degree connections. You will see the relevant symbols on both of their profiles. To turn 2nd-degree connections into direct connections, simply invite them via their profile page.
This can also be expressed as: I know someone through two or three degrees of separation
Followers: Your quiet audience
Followers are people who want to see your activities on LinkedIn but do not necessarily need to be connected with you. Depending on your settings, they receive updates about your posts and public information.
If there is IF you follow someone, this has the following benefits:
- The connection visits your profile, which has of course been optimised with our help, and sees your call to action, which they follow—for example, booking an appointment on your website because they have a need or are interested.
- The connection follows you back and automatically sees your future posts, so they remember you and reach out when needed.
- In both cases, your profile is visited. This means you generally receive more profile visits, which LinkedIn rewards with even more reach and visibility among your target audience.
- LinkedIn allows you to send messages for special occasions to connections you follow. The good thing is that they do not need to follow you back or have interacted with you in any other way. These occasions can include birthdays, job changes, anniversaries, and more.
- The connection connects with you. You can now communicate directly on LinkedIn, and you can follow up at any time.
Group members: Shared interests as an opener
If you are a member of a LinkedIn group, the other members are also part of your network. You can contact them directly in the group or via LinkedIn messages.
LinkedIn members outside your network
There are also members who do not fall into any of the categories above. Although their profiles may only be visible to a limited extent, they give you the opportunity to expand your network further.
Limitations and opportunities
Keep in mind that you can have a maximum of 30,000 direct connections on LinkedIn. But do not worry, this should be more than enough for most people to build a solid professional network.
The type of connection you have with a member affects how you can interact with them.
No liability can be accepted for completeness, editorial or technical errors, omissions, etc., or for the accuracy of the information.