LinkedIn termsUpdated
LinkedIn connection degrees
Also called: 1st-degree connection, 2nd-degree connection, 3rd-degree connection, out of network
Definition
Connection degrees show how far another member is from you on LinkedIn. 1st-degree members are directly connected to you, 2nd-degree members are connected to your 1st-degree connections, and 3rd-degree members are connected to your 2nd-degree connections.
The degrees at a glance
LinkedIn counts all of these, plus your followers, as your network.
| Degree | Who they are | How you can reach them |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | People whose invitation you accepted, or who accepted yours | Message them on LinkedIn |
| 2nd | People connected to your 1st-degree connections | Send an invitation with Connect on their profile |
| 3rd | People connected to your 2nd-degree connections | Depends on their settings and your account |
| Group member | People in a LinkedIn group you're in | Message on LinkedIn or through the group |
| Out of network | Everyone else | InMail, where the option is available |
Reading the label
The degree shows as a small 1st, 2nd or 3rd label next to a member's name in search results and on their profile. It describes the path between you, not the strength of the relationship: a 1st-degree connection could be a close colleague or someone you met once at an event. Degrees also change over time, because they depend on connections that people add and remove.
Why the degree matters
- Introductions: a 2nd-degree contact shares at least one connection with you, which is the person to ask for a warm introduction.
- Recommendations: you can only request one from a 1st-degree connection you work or worked with.
- Reach: posts limited to connections only go to your 1st-degree network.
- Prospecting: search results show each person's degree, which helps you spot who is reachable through people you already know.
Degrees don't carry over to your website
On your own site there are no degrees: every visitor sees the same thing, and only public LinkedIn content can be shown. Content you limited to connections stays on LinkedIn, as covered in can a widget show private posts?
Sources
Related terms
- LinkedIn follower
- A LinkedIn follower is someone who has chosen to see your public posts and articles in their feed. Following is one-way: unlike a connection, it needs no acceptance and doesn't make either of you part of the other's network.
- Social Selling Index (SSI)
- The Social Selling Index (SSI) is a LinkedIn score from 0 to 100 that estimates how effectively someone uses LinkedIn for social selling, based on establishing a professional brand, finding the right people, engaging with insights and building relationships.
- LinkedIn @mention
- An @mention tags a LinkedIn member or Page in a post or comment: you type @, start the name and pick it from the list. The name becomes a link to their profile or Page, and a mentioned member receives email and app notifications.
Related
Show your LinkedIn on your website
Paste a LinkedIn URL and embed it with one snippet. Free plan, no credit card.
Put your LinkedIn on your website today
Create your first widget in about two minutes. Free plan, no credit card required.