Why do you think LinkedIn recently disabled the accounts of its super-connectors?
Looks like you're back on?
why/how?
public pressure?
Hello, and thank you for a great question.
Simply put, Linkedin disabled and removed accounts for all superconnectors (those who have over 100,000+ first level connections, I had over 160,000+ first level Linkedin connections) for no reason. What? How? Why? Yes, you read it right. For no legitimate reason, other than seeing us, the superconnectors, as some influencers that grew too fast, too big, and they are afraid of us "taking over" part of the network. No, it's not a conspiricy theory, they (Linkedin) views me, and others like me, as a 'hub' where anyone in our network can reach anyone else -- without a need for InMail or premium service. As such, would not have a need to subscribe to Linkedin highly-priced premium services. By unilaterally restricting and removing me, and other superconnectors, Linkedin now can get more (potential) revenue from others. Many emails to Linkedin later, no response nor any answer was given. Linkedin is silent and mum on this subject... and I know that I did not violate any terms of service or user agreements, as neither did other superconnectors.
I have build my network since APril 2006, for more than 10 years, and was very active on it until the day in June 2016 it went 'poof' - gone from Linkedin! I am working to get it back. Perhaps you can also help me?
To learn more, see this:
Steven Burda
P.S. I hope to be back at www.linkedin.com/in/burda
Looks like you're back on?
why/how?
public pressure?
I had 30,000 first degree connections and could neither accept new invitations nor could people to whom I had sent invitations accept them. So, to make a long story short, I removed all persons not resident in the United States and persons listed in the Staffing and Recruiting industry. I now have 28,000 first degree connections and just received a message from LinkedIn that I am closing in on the 30,000 limit.
For the record, I had 30,000 first degree connections for a good two-three years. Every week I would remove 100 or so connections in order to accept new invitations. That is why I found it difficult to believe that anyone had more than 30,000 first degree connections. But, apparently, I was wrong.
That said, when a couple of years ago I could not longer accept new invitations, I contacted LinkedIn customer service and asked why my account was restricted. They informed me that there was no restriction, as such, just that I had reached the 30,000 limit and shoud remove connections, which I did.
My point is that for a good number of years the 30,000 limit has been known. Anyone with more than 30,000 should not have been able to accept additional invitations. If for some reason they were able to do so it points to an anomoly in the system.
The question is not why did LinkedIn recently disabled the accounts but what took them so long.
In any event, the limitation is on first degree connections, not followers. There is no limit on the number of followers.
You can find me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucehurwitz and my posts, including a number about LinkedIn, at https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/brucehurwitz. I also suggest my video on LinkedIn anomalies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUWEtO8MEzk. The video is part of a series on using LinkedIn to get a job.
Bruce Hurwitz