How To Stop, Delete And Manage LinkedIn Endorsements

LinkedIn endorsements are hated by many but I think they get a hard time unfairly. In this post I’m going to show you how to manage your LinkedIn endorsements and share my tips for using them effectively.

What are endorsements?

LinkedIn launched endorsements in 2012. Before they appeared the only way our skills could be validated was with recommendations. Recommendations act like job references or business testimonials, they are written by those you have worked with telling people why you are great. Obviously a recommendation is far more powerful than an endorsement but they are also a lot harder to get.

LinkedIn prompts people to endorse their connections for skills. To endorse someone you just click a button. It’s quick and simple and can be a good way to connect or reconnect with your network.

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How do you control what you are endorsed for?

I wrote this post when endorsements were new to LinkedIn showing how endorsements could be abused. The truth is it’s easy to manage your endorsements from your LinkedIn profile.

Here’s what you can do:

If you have been endorsed and accepted endorsements for skills you don’t possess you can delete them.
You can change the order of your skills on your profile
You can choose to switch off endorsements
You can switch off the prompt to endorse others
You can switch off those email updates each time you are endorsed
Perhaps the most interesting part of managing your endorsements is the ability to hide endorsements for specific skills from individuals or everyone. This could come in handy if you change your job or business and don’t want a less relevant skill showing as your most endorsed.

In this video I show you how to manage your LinkedIn endorsements from your profile page:

What are the benefits of LinkedIn endorsements?

By endorsing someone you are reminding them about you. It’s a small ice breaker that when followed later by a message or email can help you build a relationship further.
An opportunity to reconnect. If someone endorses you on LinkedIn it’s an opportunity to get in touch. Follow up with a thank you message and an invitation for a coffee or a chat.
It gives profile viewers a snapshot of who you are. If you offer Facebook training and that’s at the top of your endorsements section it’s a reassurance that you are the right person for the job.