Andreas W.
Experienced International Manager and Entrepreneur, passionate Yacht Skipper
Hiding your contacts
Does it make any sense to join a networking site, and then hide your connections from viewing by others in your network?
In my opinion it doesn't.
Good Answers (1)
Bryan C W.
Seeking a new opportunity in B2B technology; global experience
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No, it makes no sense but some people see the option and choose it as they don't understand.
I would put it to them this way:
Do you really think that other people have the time to sift through your "special" connections on the off chance they may find the right one (especially if you have more than 100)? If they're smart they just do a keyword search and find them that way (where you can't hide them). You still control whether an Introduction goes through you or not.
Please let me know why you hide your connections. If your answer is not VERY compelling, I will disconnect from you and you will lose all my connections.
The idea is that networking is a 2-way street. I show mine AND you show yours. To hide them makes no sense. It diminishes the usefulness of you as a networker to your 1st level connections and thus to YOU.
If there is a connection you do not trust, disconnect from them but leave the rest of your network active, besides only 1st level connections can see all your connections from your profile. Anyone of the 47,000,000+ in LinkedIn may find one of your connections via normal advanced searches, so again, what the point?
YOU still control introductions and the relationships in any event.
More Answers (12)
Firas A.
CEO ♦ Finance & FMCG Professional ♦ Real Estate Brokerage ♦ All In One ♦ One For All
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Some people,think it is much class to do that, or VIP issue..:)
Sure it is not logic, but the case is Psychological One...:(
Since, usually we hide" something wrong, something not good, something if appeared make problems, something we shy of,....."
Make Ur Day A Gooood Oneeee
F.A.A.
Mohammed B.
Process Improvement Specialist, PMP, CSSBB, CSSGB, MCTS, MCT
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I agree with you, Andreas.
I see such act as 'selfishness'. Networking is based on sharing knowledge, experience, and mutual benefits.Hence, if someone hides his/her contacts from me I would understand that he/she needs to take but not give. Consequently, I would rather break the connection with him.
Valerie L.
Independent Consultant & Creative Strategist
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I agree with the others, LI is about networking and if someone hides their connections, I will disconnect. There is no excuse in my opinion. If you are so concerned with hiding your contacts, why are you in a networking environment in the first place?
Janet P.
Holistic Hybrid Strategic/Creative Marketing & Branding Professional
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The whole purpose of Linkedin, and the introduction feature, is to build you network of contacts and resources through your network. When people hide their contacts, it's either because they're not aware they checked that box or they are paranoid. If I'm showing my contacts, I expect my contacts to show theirs as well. It's a 2-way street.
Jeanine B.
Exhibit, Event and Environment Solutions | Mobile Marketing | Int'l Exhibit/Event Manager
Best Answers in: Ethics (1)
I am in agreement. LI is for networking, making contacts and sharing information. I have been fortunate to have made some great contacts and friends from this and have helped others connect.
Alicia T. A.
QA Testing, Inside and Outside the Box - Creative & Thorough - Works with Business and Developers to Please Customers
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I thought only recruiters hide their contacts - because they're afraid other recruiters will steal something they worked hard to build.
But, if one of your first-degree links has contacts hidden, they still show up as second-degree links on your searches (group member lists, company pages, etc). In other words, contacts are only hidden from the person's profile, not from anywhere else. Their contacts still bring value to your network.
Margaret F.
Exprienced Administrative assistant
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It doesn't make sense to me either . why are you on a networking site if you are not networking???
Andrew S.
Business Development Manager at Interface Components, Current Focus on RF Connectors for LMR cable, for the PMR Market
I hide my contacts.
I do so because as a sales person, I want to be as widely connected as possible, but I do not want other sales people who might be in competition with me but are friends(or contacts) seeing my customers, as Alicia said, its taken me time and work to find and connect with some of these people.
Also, some my contacts are in the habit of inviting me to all sorts of things, as an open networker (well nearly) I have to accept this, but that does not mean my connections have to suffer it too - I give them the choice.
I could argue that it does not matter, because if I connect with you, you cant see my contacts, but you still see them if you do a search in the normal manner.......
Its a fact of life that there are people out there who have recruitment people in their contact list and don’t want their boss to see this.....(not a problem for me as I used to work in the industry and still have friends there).
I think its reasonable to hide my contacts and there are probably many more reasons you might want to.
Good Question Andreas.
Regds, Andrew
Steven B.
Senior Financial and Business Professional, Board Member & Devoted Father
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Do the links below make sense to you?
I bet they should...
- Steven
Links:
Keith W.
Results-driven, IT Business Analyst Professional – helping companies change their business process through technology
Best Answers in: Using LinkedIn (4)
I think another reason that some people choose to hide their contacts is that they don't fully understand how Linkedin works and think that their contacts could be spammed by others that join their network. In other words, new connections can see what they say - everything - which as well know is not the case. It's probably a very small number but nonetheless a valid reason why some hide their connections from view.
It depends I think from the way you are using the Tool.
Would you hide if you are looking for a job or new career?
Would you hide if you have a job and are using to find contacts ?
I feel that the power of Linkedin is in both of these areas and you might not hide if you have a job but possibly hide once you get a new job,
Great question along with some really good answers. Personally I think Linkedin should remove the option of being able to hide your connections. It always makes me laugh when someone invites me to be a connection and then when I accept I can't view their network. For me it shows selfishness and a lack of confidence. I liked Bryan's answer with regard to Networking is a two way street.
I recently joined Linkedin for the simple purpose of expanding my network and helping others. Remember those who give shall receive.
As a Sr. Account Executive, I believe if your confident in your abilities, provide excellent service and treat people with respect then you shouldn't be paronoid about someone seeing and triing to call on your contacts.
Thanks to all of you for sharing! :)
