Are you new to LinkedIn and wondering what does 1st 2nd 3rd mean on LinkedIn, next to your connections’ names?

LinkedIn is a social networking platform for professionals, and these terms refer to the degree of connection between you and other LinkedIn members.

Understanding the meaning of these terms is crucial to building and expanding your professional network on LinkedIn.

Your 1st-degree connections are the people you are directly connected to because you have accepted their invitation to connect, or they have accepted yours.

These connections can see your activity on LinkedIn, and you can see theirs.

Your 2nd-degree connections are people who are connected to your 1st-degree connections, while your 3rd-degree connections are people who are connected to your 2nd-degree connections.

Knowing the difference between these degrees of connection can help you understand the reach of your network and identify potential new connections that may be valuable to your career or business.

Understanding LinkedIn Connections

What Does 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Mean on LinkedIn

When you join LinkedIn, you start building your network of connections.

LinkedIn connections are the people you are connected to on the platform.

These connections can be classified into three types: 1st-degree, 2nd-degree, and 3rd-degree.

Your 1st-degree connections are people you are directly connected to because you have accepted their invitation to connect or they have accepted your invitation.

You can see a 1st-degree icon next to their name in your connections list.

Your 2nd-degree connections are people who are connected to your 1st-degree connections.

You can see a 2nd-degree icon next to their name in your connections list.

Your 3rd-degree connections are people who are connected to your 2nd-degree connections.

You can see a 3rd-degree icon next to their name in your connections list.

LinkedIn calculates the degree of connection based on the number of people between you and the person you are connected to.

For example, if you are connected to someone who is connected to someone else, that person is your 2nd-degree connection.

Building your network of connections on LinkedIn is important for networking and increasing your visibility.

When you have more connections, you have more opportunities to connect with people in your industry and expand your network.

To connect with someone on LinkedIn, you can send them a connection request.

You can also receive connection requests from other LinkedIn users.

When you receive a connection request, you can choose to accept or ignore it.

Having mutual connections can also be helpful on LinkedIn.

When you have mutual connections with someone, you can ask your mutual connection to introduce you to that person.

What Does 1st 2nd 3rd Mean on LinkedIn

If you’re new to LinkedIn, you might be wondering what the terms 1st, 2nd, and 3rd mean.

These terms are used to describe the degree of connection you have with other LinkedIn users.

Your 1st-degree connections are people who you are directly connected with on LinkedIn.

These are people you have accepted connection requests from, or who have accepted your connection requests.

You can message your 1st-degree connections directly on LinkedIn.

Your 2nd-degree connections are people who are connected to your 1st-degree connections.

You can see their profiles and connect with them through your 1st-degree connection.

You can also message them if your 1st-degree connection has enabled open messaging.

Your 3rd-degree connections are people who are connected to your 2nd-degree connections.

You can see their profiles, but you can’t connect with them directly unless you have a Premium LinkedIn account.

However, you can ask your 1st-degree connections to introduce you to your 2nd- and 3rd-degree connections.

Having a large network of 1st-degree connections is important on LinkedIn because it can help you expand your professional network and increase your visibility on the platform.

However, it’s important to remember that quality connections are more valuable than quantity.

Focus on connecting with people who are relevant to your industry or career goals.

How to Connect on LinkedIn

How to Connect on LinkedIn

Connecting with others on LinkedIn is a great way to grow your professional network.

Here are some tips to help you connect with others on LinkedIn:

  1. Search for people you know: Use the search bar to find people you know on LinkedIn. You can also import your contacts from your email address book to see if they are on LinkedIn.
  2. Send connection invitations: Once you have found someone you want to connect with, you can send them a connection invitation. Click on the “Connect” button next to their name and LinkedIn will prompt you to personalize your invitation. Make sure to add a friendly message, so they know why you want to connect.
  3. Accept connection invitations: When someone sends you a connection invitation, you can either accept or ignore it. If you accept the invitation, you will become 1st-degree connections on LinkedIn.
  4. Connect with 2nd and 3rd-degree connections: You can also connect with 2nd and 3rd-degree connections on LinkedIn. These are people who are not directly connected to you, but you share a mutual connection. You can send them a connection request, but make sure to personalize your message and explain why you want to connect.
  5. Follow companies and influencers: You can also follow companies and influencers on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date with their latest news and insights. This is a great way to expand your professional network and learn from others in your industry.

Remember, when connecting with others on LinkedIn, it’s important to be professional and respectful.

Don’t send too many connection requests at once and always personalize your message.

Building a strong professional network takes time, but it can be a valuable asset in your career.

Messaging and Communication on LinkedIn

LinkedIn offers several ways to communicate with other members, including messaging, InMail, and group conversations.

These communication tools are only available to your 1st-degree connections, and within group pages, fellow group members.

Messaging on LinkedIn is a great way to start a conversation with someone.

You can use it to ask for an introduction to someone you’re not yet connected with or to message a Premium member who has enabled messaging from all LinkedIn members.

To send a message, simply go to the person’s profile, click on the “Message” button, and type your message.

You can also attach files, images, and videos to your message.

If you’re not connected with someone, you can still send them a message using InMail.

InMail is a paid feature that allows you to send a message to someone who is not in your network.

You can get InMail by subscribing to one of LinkedIn’s premium offers like LinkedIn Premium, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, or LinkedIn Recruiter.

Another way to communicate on LinkedIn is through group conversations.

You can start a group conversation with someone in your network and someone in their network, even if you’re not connected with them.

This is a great way to expand your network and get in touch with people who share similar interests.

In addition to messaging and InMail, LinkedIn also allows you to add your email address, phone number, and Twitter handle to your profile.

This makes it easier for people to get in touch with you outside of LinkedIn.

Access and Visibility on LinkedIn

Access and Visibility on Linkedin

When you create a LinkedIn profile, you have control over who can see your profile and connect with you.

You can adjust your profile’s visibility settings to control who can see your profile, your connections, and your activity on LinkedIn.

By default, your profile is visible to other LinkedIn members and may appear in search results.

However, you can change your profile visibility settings to make your profile visible to only your connections or to no one at all.

If you choose to make your profile invisible, you won’t appear in search results and other LinkedIn members won’t be able to find you.

Your connections on LinkedIn are categorized into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-degree connections.

Your 1st-degree connections are people you’re directly connected to because you have accepted their invitation to connect, or they have accepted your invitation.

You’ll see a 1st-degree icon next to their name in your LinkedIn profile and they can see your full profile and activity on LinkedIn.

Your 2nd-degree connections are people who are connected to your 1st-degree connections.

You can see their name and profile picture, but you can’t see their full profile unless you’re connected to them or they have made their profile visible to everyone.

Your 3rd-degree connections are people who are connected to your 2nd-degree connections.

You can see their name and profile picture, but you can’t see their full profile unless you’re connected to them or they have made their profile visible to everyone.

If you want to expand your network on LinkedIn, you can join groups related to your industry or interests.

By joining a group, you can connect with other members who share your interests and expand your network.

You can also share content on LinkedIn to increase your visibility and attract potential connections.

LinkedIn Premium and Sales Navigator

If you’re looking to take your LinkedIn usage to the next level, you might want to consider upgrading to LinkedIn Premium or LinkedIn Sales Navigator.

Both tools provide additional features and benefits that can help you get more out of the platform.

LinkedIn Premium

LinkedIn Premium is a paid subscription service that provides access to additional features and benefits beyond what’s available in the free version of LinkedIn.

Some of the benefits of LinkedIn Premium include:

  • InMail messages: You can send messages to people you’re not connected with on LinkedIn.
  • More search filters: You can use additional search filters to find people and companies on LinkedIn.
  • Who’s viewed your profile: You can see who’s viewed your LinkedIn profile, even if they’re not a first-degree connection.
  • Premium insights: You can see more detailed insights about who’s viewing your profile and how your posts are performing.

LinkedIn Premium offers different plans depending on your needs.

The plans range from Career to Business to Sales.

Each plan provides different features and benefits.

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a paid tool designed specifically for sales professionals.

It provides advanced search and lead generation capabilities that can help you find and engage with potential customers on LinkedIn.

Some of the benefits of LinkedIn Sales Navigator include:

  • Lead recommendations: You’ll get personalized lead recommendations based on your preferences and search history.
  • TeamLink: You can see who in your company is connected to a potential customer, and ask for an introduction.
  • Real-time sales updates: You can get real-time updates on your leads and accounts, including news mentions and job changes.
  • Advanced search filters: You can use advanced search filters to find potential customers based on specific criteria.

LinkedIn Sales Navigator offers different plans depending on your needs.

The plans range from Professional to Team to Enterprise.

Each plan provides different features and benefits.

Whether you choose LinkedIn Premium or LinkedIn Sales Navigator, both tools can help you get more out of LinkedIn and achieve your professional goals.

LinkedIn Groups and Members

LinkedIn Groups and Members

Are you looking to expand your network on LinkedIn? Joining groups is a great way to do that.

Groups are communities of LinkedIn members who share common interests, industries, or goals.

When you join a group, you gain access to a pool of potential connections that you might not have found otherwise.

You can also participate in group discussions, ask for advice, and share your own insights.

To find groups that might interest you, use the search bar at the top of the LinkedIn homepage.

Type in keywords related to your industry, interests, or goals, and then click on the “Groups” tab to see a list of relevant groups.

Once you join a group, you can see a list of its members.

These members can be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd-degree connections, or they can be completely outside of your network.

You can send connection requests to these members, but be sure to personalize your message and explain why you want to connect.

Keep in mind that some groups might have rules or restrictions on who can join.

For example, some groups might require you to have a certain level of experience or education in a particular field.

Be sure to read the group’s description and rules before requesting to join.

Managing Connection Requests

When you receive an invitation to connect on LinkedIn, you have the option to accept or decline it.

If you accept the invitation, the person who sent it becomes your 1st-degree connection.

If you decline the invitation, the person will not be able to send you another invitation for a while.

You can also send connection requests to people on LinkedIn.

However, LinkedIn imposes a weekly limit on the number of invitations you can send.

This limit is based on the number of connections you already have, and it is designed to prevent spamming.

When you send a connection request, it is important to personalize it and explain why you want to connect with the person.

This will increase the chances of them accepting your invitation.

You can also cancel connection requests if you change your mind or if the person has not responded for a long time.

Understanding the LinkedIn Platform

If you’re new to LinkedIn, it can be overwhelming to navigate the platform.

LinkedIn is a social networking platform that is specifically designed for professionals.

It’s a great way to connect with colleagues, find new job opportunities, and build your professional network.

Your LinkedIn profile is the foundation of your presence on the platform.

It’s important to make sure that your profile is complete and up-to-date.

Your profile should include your work experience, education, and any relevant skills or certifications.

When you connect with someone on LinkedIn, they become a first-degree connection.

You can also connect with people who are second-degree connections, which means that you have a mutual connection.

Third-degree connections are people who are connected to your second-degree connections.

You can send messages to your connections on LinkedIn through the InMail feature.

InMail allows you to send messages to people who are not in your network, but it does require a premium account.

LinkedIn also has a number of icons that you’ll see throughout the platform.

The 1st degree icon indicates that someone is a first-degree connection.

The 2nd degree icon indicates that someone is a second-degree connection.

The 3rd degree icon indicates that someone is a third-degree connection.

Key Takeaways

When it comes to LinkedIn, understanding the meaning of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd connections is crucial.

Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind:

  • 1st-degree connections are people you are directly connected to on LinkedIn. These are people who have either sent you an invitation to connect or whom you have invited to connect, and they have accepted. You will see a 1st-degree icon next to their name in your connections list.
  • 2nd-degree connections are people who are connected to your 1st-degree connections. In other words, they are one step away from you in your LinkedIn network. You can see who your 2nd-degree connections are by looking at the “People Also Viewed” section on a 1st-degree connection’s profile.
  • 3rd-degree connections are people who are connected to your 2nd-degree connections. They are two steps away from you in your LinkedIn network. You can see who your 3rd-degree connections are by clicking on the “See all X connections” link on a 2nd-degree connection’s profile.

It’s important to note that the further away a connection is from you, the less likely they are to see your updates and posts on LinkedIn.

This is why it’s important to build a strong network of 1st-degree connections who are relevant to your industry and interests.

Another key takeaway is that LinkedIn’s search algorithm takes into account the strength of your connections when displaying search results.

This means that having a large network of strong connections can help improve your visibility on the platform.