Removing LinkedIn connections one by one is painfully slow. Each removal takes 3 clicks, and if you have hundreds or thousands of connections to clean up, you're looking at hours of repetitive work.
One user described it perfectly:
This would save me literal HOURS of mindless cleanup.
The good news? You can bulk remove LinkedIn connections in minutes with the right approach.
This guide shows you two methods: the manual way (for small cleanups) and the fast way using Network Cleaner (for bulk removal).
Why Clean Up Your LinkedIn Network?
Before diving into the how, here's why people remove connections:
- Improve your feed quality - Fewer irrelevant posts from people you don't know.
- Make room for valuable connections - LinkedIn has a 30,000 connection limit. Hit it, and you can't add anyone new.
- Align your network with your current career - Remove connections from past industries or roles that no longer serve you.
- Reduce noise - A smaller, focused network is more useful than a bloated one.
Method 1: Manual Removal (The Slow Way)
LinkedIn doesn't make it easy to remove connections. There's no bulk option built in, just a tedious connection-by-connection click-by-click process.
If you only need to remove a handful of connections, the manual method works:
- Go to My Network > Connections
- Find the person you want to remove
- Click the three dots (•••) next to their name
- Select Remove connection
- Confirm the removal
Time estimate: About 15-20 seconds per connection. For 500 connections, that's over 2 hours of clicking.
This method makes sense if you're removing fewer than 20 connections. Beyond that, you need a better approach.
Method 2: Automated Removal with Network Cleaner (The Fast Way)
Network Cleaner is a Chrome extension that lets you search, filter, and remove thousands of LinkedIn connections at once.
Here's how to bulk remove LinkedIn connections in four simple steps:
Step 1: Install and Import
Install Network Cleaner from the Chrome Web Store. Open the extension, it automatically detects your LinkedIn account (no password needed, ever). Click the import button to load your connections. This takes a few seconds depending on your network size.
Step 2: Search and Filter
Use the search bar to find connections you want to remove:
- Search by text: Name, job title, company, or headline
- Use advanced search syntax:
recruiter OR headhunterfinds both terms - Exclude terms:
-salesremoves results containing "sales" - Filter by date: Find connections added before, after, or within a specific date range
Step 3: Select and Queue for Disconnection
Check the boxes next to connections you want to remove, or use Select All to grab everyone matching your search. Click Add to Queue to start the removal process.
Step 4: Let It Run
Network Cleaner removes automatically connections in the background. You can close the tab and it keeps working. Pause anytime if needed.
Who Should Clean Their LinkedIn Network?
- Hitting the 30K limit - You can't add new connections until you remove old ones. This is the only way to unlock your network.
- Career changers - Your old industry contacts may no longer be relevant. Start fresh with connections that match your new direction.
- Job seekers - A focused network helps you stand out to recruiters and improves your feed with relevant opportunities.
- Anyone with too many connections - Years of accepting every request adds up. Time to clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to bulk remove LinkedIn connections?
Yes. Network Cleaner performs the exact same clicks you'd make manually, one connection at a time. LinkedIn sees normal behavior, not automation.
Will people know I disconnected from them?
No. LinkedIn doesn't notify people when you remove them as a connection.
How many connections can I remove?
As many as you want. Network Cleaner processes them in a queue, one-by-one so there's no limit.
Can I undo a removal?
Depends on timing:
- Before it happens: Yes. Network Cleaner processes disconnections one by one, so you can cancel any planned disconnection before it's executed.
- After it's done: No. Once someone is disconnected, it's permanent. But Network Cleaner keeps a history of everyone you've removed, so you can find their profile and reconnect if needed.
Is my data safe?
Yes. All your data stays in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to any server.
Ready to Clean Your Network?
Stop wasting hours clicking one connection at a time. Install Network Cleaner free, search your connections, and let the extension handle the rest.