Profile Optimization
Yasmina Akni Ebourki
Last updated: May 23, 2025
Did you get your LinkedIn account restricted?
The bad news is that now you can't connect with other members, send messages, or grow your network.
The good news is that you can recover your LinkedIn account if you act quickly.
In this article, we'll share why LinkedIn restricted your account, how long it can last, how to recover it, and how to keep it safe from future restrictions.
What Happens When LinkedIn Restricts Your Account?
LinkedIn already sent you the "Access to your account has been temporarily restricted" notification. But how is it actually impacting you?
First, you'll notice you can no longer access certain LinkedIn features. You no longer can send connection requests, post content, or message other LinkedIn members.
Depending on the restriction type, you can even lose access to your LinkedIn account.
How to Tell If LinkedIn Restricted Your Account
Your LinkedIn account might be fine and you're just experiencing regular limitations.
For example, you can't send any connection request if you've reached the weekly limit. Or there's a temporary glitch that stops LinkedIn from working as usual.
Not sure if you're actually dealing with a restriction? Here's how you can tell if LinkedIn restricted your account:
1. You get the "Restricted Account" notice
Once your account is restricted, LinkedIn will let you know. You get the notification as an email or banner when you sign in.
2. You’re asked to verify your identity
LinkedIn might ask you to verify your email or phone number to restore access to your account. If LinkedIn detected suspicious activity, you might have to upload your ID to get your account back.
3. You can't share content
With a restricted LinkedIn account, you'll have to wait before going viral. If LinkedIn suspends your account, you can't share new posts or repost your content.
4. You can't network
A restricted LinkedIn account stops you from growing your network.
If you can’t send connection requests or receive an error when trying, it could be a sign that your account is restricted.
5. Your profile visibility drops
How many people are usually viewing your profile?
If you’ve noticed a significant drop in profile views, chances are LinkedIn's algorithm decided to limit your profile visibility. In some cases, LinkedIn will even remove your profile from the search results.
How Long Do LinkedIn Restrictions Last?
Now you can't send connection requests, DM your connections, and the number of people viewing your profile dropped.
So, how soon can you get your account back to normal? It depends on the restriction type.
1. LinkedIn Temporary Restrictions
A temporary LinkedIn restriction usually lasts a few days or even a week. During the restriction, certain features like sending messages, posting, or connecting with others may be blocked.
Usually, you don’t need to do anything because your LinkedIn account will be automatically restored once the restriction period ends.
2. LinkedIn Permanent Bans
If you repeatedly violate LinkedIn's rules, your account will be permanently suspended. When this happens, you’ll lose access to everything: your profile, connections, posts, and message history.
How to Recover Your LinkedIn Account
Here are 2 proven steps to help you recover your LinkedIn account:
1. Verify Your Identity
To recover your restricted LinkedIn account, you might have to complete the identity verification process. This requires uploading a photo of a valid government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver's license.
2. Contact LinkedIn Support
If the verification process wasn't enough to recover your LinkedIn account, you should contact LinkedIn support.
Go to LinkedIn's help center and clearly explain the situation. Make sure you provide them with enough information to review your case.
How can you keep your LinkedIn account safe so you don't have to start from scratch? The key is to respect LinkedIn's guidelines and engage as a real person, not a bot.
Here are 3 ways to avoid having your account restricted again:
1. Consider LinkedIn Limits
LinkedIn has daily and weekly limits for connection requests, DMs, and profile views to stop spammy behavior. If you exceed those limits, your account gets flagged.
To keep your account safe, track how many requests and DMs you send and avoid repetitive behavior.
2. Personalize Your Outreach
A sure way to trigger LinkedIn's spam filter and get your account restricted? Send the same generic message to everyone on LinkedIn.
To keep your account safe and build a relevant network, connect with people within your industry, personalize your message, and don't sell right from the start.
3. Disconnect Risky LinkedIn Tools
To keep your account safe, avoid using tools that mimic human behavior.
Automation tools that send connection requests, and messages, or engage with posts on your behalf are against LinkedIn’s terms.
While these tools may help you grow your network at first, they also increase your chance of your LinkedIn account being flagged and restricted.
