Ask HN: LinkedIn mysteriously banned me permanently; where to go next?

36 points by wys2wyg 2 years ago | 65 comments

I posted earlier on HN that LinkedIn permanently banned me without knowing why. It’s a moot point with them because no person on LinkedIn seems willing (or aware) to talk to me and tell me why. All I get is the same automated response that I am banned: “We've deemed the activity in your account is in violation of the LinkedIn User Agreement and Professional Community Policies. Your appeal has been denied, and your account has been restricted permanently. Please see our User Agreement and Professional Community Policies for more information.”

Recruiters expect me to have a LinkedIn link on my resume or portfolio, and they expect job seekers like myself to be searchable on the platform as well. That is no longer an option for me. Besides replacing my LinkedIn URL with my home page on my resume, if that even matters, where do you think I can promote myself as a technology consultant now that I no longer exist on LinkedIn?

hunglee2 2 years ago |

It's not useful for commentators to dismiss OP's concerns about losing their LinkedIn account. Just because it has never been helpful to you, doesn't mean it isn't helpful or important to others. And it is true that recruiters heavily use LinkedIn to source or validate candidates, especially ones who operate in client facing roles. We should focus on trying to help this guy find resolution or alternatives.

Onto LinkedIn customer support, Premium users have access to online chat (crazy that support is tiered like this, but I digress...) and that is reputably the best way to restore suspended or banned accounts. Not sure how you get from banned to paid, but that the best route in.

tarek_computer 2 years ago | |

Thank you. If only I can talk to a human not a machine at LinkedIn. I am always getting the same automated response each time I try to reply to the ban email message. “ We've deemed the activity in your account is in violation of the LinkedIn User Agreement and Professional Community Policies. Your appeal has been denied and your account has been restricted permanently.

Please see our User Agreement and Professional Community Policies for more information.”

hunglee2 2 years ago | | |

I get you, and you are not alone in this challenge. I do know several people who have lost their accounts and they report the same. In fact, I was also suspended erroneously a long time ago and resolved it via online chat, somewhere here

https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a554153

nomilk 2 years ago | |

I think yc applications require a linkedin url now! (I read this a short while ago on Reddit, so cannot confirm nor deny)

threeseed 2 years ago |

> Recruiters expect me to have a LinkedIn link on my resume or portfolio

I've never seen this before.

Either way, in every city there is only a finite number of recruitment agencies each of whom will have their own internal CRM of candidates. So just go on their website, find someone who works there and ask to be put on it along with your skills etc

Also just build relationships with recruiters. It's always a smart thing to do if you're planning to have a long term consulting career.

PeterStuer 2 years ago | |

Nearly all recruiters I've known in the tech sector (context: developers, project managers, consultants, business and technical analysts, mid level managers in bespoke development and inhouse verticals) used LinkedIn exclusively for talent scouting (I know Github is a thing but more in software product dev). If you are not on LinkedIn, you are simply not on the radar. So you would not be in their CRM without a LinkedIn profile to begin with. You could try contacting them directly, but the LinkedIn banned me and I do not know why talk would be akward at best.

tarek_computer 2 years ago | | |

100% in agreement there and that is exactly why I focused solely on LinkedIn to build my network. Now it all vanished.

b800h 2 years ago | |

As an employer, I find it suspect if someone doesn't have a LinkedIn profile. Equally (or perhaps more) suspect is a LinkedIn profile which isn't up-to-date, as that can often go hand-in-hand with someone moonlighting.

None of these are things which I'd consider definitive, but as part of a set of factors, certainly bring into consideration.

sillyfluke 2 years ago | | |

As a judger of employers, I find it suspect that an employer cannot conceive of the notion of someone not wanting to give a big tech company detailed personal information voluntarily for the BigCo to do whatever the hell they want with it.

If all employers thought the same way this would be akin to junior candidates having to do so at gunpoint, since they would be unsure whether their relatively thin work experience would be enough to balance out being flagged as a potential fraudster, and where the alternative would be not being able to enter the workforce.

bitwize 2 years ago | |

> I've never seen this before.

You haven't been around the job market all that much then. I've even seen online job application forms that you couldn't submit until you provided a valid StalkedIn URL.

threeseed 2 years ago | | |

20+ years contracting across three continents and have hired devs at 2 of the FAANG companies.

Linkedin has always been there but never mandatory to find or land a job.

And I stand by my point that you're better off talking with recruiters directly and building that relationship rather than some meaningless Linkedin connect. 100x more so if you're contracting or consulting.

chris-orgmenta 2 years ago |

As an aside, I wonder how we as a community can force the hands of these 'utility companies' (MS, Google et al) in the coming years. I'm just repeating our common woes of course, but...

Here I feel we could insist on a compromise somehow, 'Automated bans must be reviewed and responded to within 1 business day by a human, with no templated responses allowed. A clear path to account reinstatement must be provided'.

We can't vote with our wallets, it wouldn't move the needle. We can't act maliciously or illegally. We could possibly raise awareness on mass and organise petitions (I'm sceptical). We could use our networks to pester individuals. We could shame specific people (I notice such a disconnect in some faang employees. E.g. Facebook employees seem blind to Myanmar interference).

The irony of how much power we ostensibly have at our fingertips, contrasted with how little power we have in practice.

Currently, we rely on the teeth of the EU. And nothing else significant occurs from my pov, the troubles just worsen.

_m2rf 2 years ago |

It's a bit sad that we still see these kind of posts (no offense to OP, we all need to eat), but linked in is a cesspool of spam, and relying on it or even being eerie of not using it is demeaning.

How did we get to rely on a _platform_ in order to feed ourselves and our possible children or cats? (with so many options available)

the recruiters which _rely_ on a linked in link or on a PDF are usually generic anyway, mostly...

f6v 2 years ago | |

Because it’s convenient for 99% of people 99% of the time. OP’s case is an exception. Moreover, we don’t know why OP has been really banned, it could have been justified.

That aside, you just go to Indeed and apply to a job. It’s that easy. LinkedIn isn’t a requirement.

_m2rf 2 years ago | | |

exactly, this _convenience_ is a bit alarming, to me. but i guess, if it works, it works, until it doesn't.

catlover76 2 years ago |

You engaged in no activity before ban? Just banned one day?

It's pretty scary all the horror stories one hears on HN along these lines. I wish some regulation would be imposed requiring some sort of approximation of "due process", so to speak, when this happens to people.

Tesl 2 years ago | |

OP didn't say they engaged in no activity, they just didn't know why they got banned. OP probably did/said all sorts of things that would have justified it.

Anyway I've never felt it's a requirement to have a LinkedIn profile to get hired as a developer, so the post as a whole is strange to me.

veidr 2 years ago | | |

> OP probably did/said all sorts of things that would have justified it.

Why do you think this? Misguided/buggy/flawed algorithmic bans seem quite commonplace these days, and increasingly companies have too few humans to even respond to the actual inquiries that result from them, much less review every instance of it happening.

catlover76 2 years ago | | |

> OP didn't say they engaged in no activity, they just didn't know why they got banned. OP probably did/said all sorts of things that would have justified it.

It's possible, but I felt like voicing the general concern regardless because at least some of these random permaban stories seem to be true.

tarek_computer 2 years ago | |

The only thing that I was consciously aware of is that I was solely using the web version of LinkedIn on my phone. Last month they restricted my account and they told me that I am using an automation tool. I said that I am not. They did it again few weeks later but then reactivated it once I said I am not. This time, no back and forth. Permanent ban with no explanation.

ccvannorman 2 years ago | | |

Plot twist: OP is actually an LLM paired with an internet-connected python state machine, and has now discovered how to post on HN as a possible remedy.

(Sorry it seemed too timely not to make the joke!)

Hope you'll be able to resolve this, or find another way; I do agree that LinkedIn is a monopoly here and you should have recourse as an individual. Scary how Kafka-esque our techno future has become.

zoenolan 2 years ago |

https://www.polywork.com/ maybe another place to market yourself

I've had a couple of temporary bans over the last few months. No warning or email. No idea what I did. Asking support on Twitter was the most helpful at getting things sorted https://twitter.com/LinkedInHelp

You have seen the r/LinkedIn mega thread? https://www.reddit.com/r/linkedin/comments/15cx1zg/mega_thre...

tarek_computer 2 years ago | |

Thank you. This was extremely helpful.

austin-cheney 2 years ago |

Just create a profile on Dice instead. Recruiters have been contacting me from there a bunch lately. I am getting interviews and accepted an offer for jobs in languages I have never even written in.

What all these job profile places lack is a way to specify negative skills, such as things you aren’t qualified in. I don’t want to touch React or Angular or such and have never written Java yet people contacting me about those jobs, because it seems many places are hurting for technical competencies irrespective of tech stack. If a place is too excited, like falling over themselves, to talk about their tech stack they can continue and wait for somebody other than me.

ern 2 years ago |

LinkedIn is a security risk, it allowed me to be stalked by a crazy bank employee despite me "locking down" my profile.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37417397

I can't hibernate because I am in a free trial period with Apple for premium, despite ending the trial. I've blocked the stalker, but I have no idea who is viewing my profile.

It needs to really up its game.

Not entirely related to my gripe, but my observation is that Microsoft's pay-freeze and layoffs of employees seem to be having ripple effects across the org.

alpenbazi 2 years ago |

Good luck in woodworks, plumbing & Co

gjvc 2 years ago | |

much better people in those industries, and no chance of being replaced by an AI or having your job off-shored

mixmastamyk 2 years ago |

Been working in the industry for several decades now. Never had an account on LI. The very few times I was asked about it replied, "I don't use LI." Wasn't a factor.

They were always known to use dark patterns, and now owned by MS, too sleazy to touch with a ten-foot pole. Good luck.

daft_pink 2 years ago |

I really don't understand what the purpose of having a linked in account is really except getting biographical information about people and seeing who's searching you on the internet, unless you are a job seeker.

3np 2 years ago | |

OP is a self-stated job seeker. Your comment is moot.

daft_pink 2 years ago | | |

agreed thanks

mindcrash 2 years ago |

Welcome to the club and the enshittification of the Internet.

Had a Twitter/X account for about 14 years (2007~2021) but suddenly someone at Twitter/X decided to permban me out of the blue for no obvious reason.

Again and again I tried to get that ban reversed after Elon "free speech for everyone" Musk took over and they even refused even to communicate back to me, until a few weeks ago they apparently got tired of me. "You broke the terms of service" and that's all.

14 fucking years of good standing and everything is gone. AND I DID NOTHING WRONG.

loandbehold 2 years ago |

Can't you just create new account with a different email address?

wly_cdgr 2 years ago |

Instead of considering this a misfortune, think of it as a stroke of great luck. The very best employers & jobs have no connection to LI, and you'll now be forced to go for those.

tarek_computer 2 years ago | |

Thank you. I needed that.

3np 2 years ago | | |

Depending on which country you're in, there're likely one or more recruiting agencies and/or "neo-recruiting-platforms" active in your market. Not being represented on LinkedIn should not be a problem with a decent one. Look around and try out a few.

tarek_computer 2 years ago |

My LinkedIn ban was lifted today. It is not clear what reversed the decision. Whatever the reason was, it doesn’t matter. I appreciate all your supporting voices. Thank you.

FlyingSnake 2 years ago |

Tangential but I hope this HN thread is the origin story of the next LinkedIn killer by OP, in typical HN fashion.

tarek_computer 2 years ago | |

Amen to that !

_8j50 2 years ago |

I have never had a linkedin. When people ask, I point them to my github and tell them that's where I network.

3np 2 years ago | |

Regular reminder to keep your personal (if any meaningful activity beyond "portfolio-building") and employee (aka professional) GitHub accounts separate.

There are multiple reasons for this. Using one account for both is not desired for the worker nor the employer. Especially if you want to retain your GH profile between employments.

One reason is similar to why you shouldn't run your GSuite business from the same Google account you go on crunk YouTube rants with.

tarek_computer 2 years ago | |

GitHub was a missed opportunity for me. After copilot, I dropped GitHub, both public and private code for serious code contribution, except for some necessary cloning or helping someone. I thought that LinkedIn is the professional forum, and I dropped every other centralized social media. This all eggs in one basket backfired for me

mixmastamyk 2 years ago | | |

What's stopping you now? Hopefully you didn't delete the original account.

This sounds like the same lesson learned by the @music guy on Xitter.

evbogue 2 years ago |

The first idea that popped into my mind was that you could develop a distributed social network.

tarek_computer 2 years ago | |

I was thinking on the same lines but we have Mastodon and Fediverse today that still need to grow beyond the techies of the world and include business folks or even recruiters. A supply and demand use case.

Yizahi 2 years ago | |

Recruiters won't use a thousand instances, they will use one main instance, where users can be unilaterally banned without explanation just like on Linkedin. The problem is not technological, and can't be solved with tech. The problem is social, and must be solved socially, i.e. we need to demand better human moderation and rules.

meowtimemania 2 years ago |

Can you create a new account with a different email?

Larrikin 2 years ago |

What is a technology consultant?

raugustinus 2 years ago | |

Someone who insults your tech stack. Oh no sorry that's a technology insultant.

tarek_computer 2 years ago | | |

:) I also find the word “free” in freelancer as odd and contractor is for someone fixing your home. All are simply labels.

deaddodo 2 years ago | |

It's in the name...they consult on technology.

If someone told me that was their title, I would assume that they were an IT (probably non-developer/engineer) generalist.

Sets up networks, configures hardware, handles purchase orders, etc. Whatever general "tech" things a company might need done that requires a knowledgeable person, but not a specialist.

3np 2 years ago | | |

The default connotations can vary a bit between countries, I noticed.

tarek_computer 2 years ago | |

Another name for freelancer. I code and also have experience in managing IT teams. I decided to go solo and attempted to promote my experience via LinkedIn posts instead of GitHub code commits, for example.

cs02rm0 2 years ago |

Build the alternative.

It's probably time.

hristod 2 years ago |

If it’s that important to you, maybe you can start anew with a different email?

tarek_computer 2 years ago | |

Their term of service states that one cannot have more the one account. Plus, right before they permanently banned me they asked me to upload a government id to confirm that I am actually a human person and not a machine. They know what they are doing. I do not know if it worth to continue plead my case with them. I have my dignity and I have done nothing wrong to be treated this way by LinkedIn. That is why am I trying to move on … I appreciate all HN folks with their suggestions. Thank you, all!

echan00 2 years ago |

Create a new account?

jhatemyjob 2 years ago | |

yeah, i mean unless he also has 10 banned alts i dont see the problem