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

If you're wondering what 1st, 2nd, and 3rd mean on LinkedIn, you're at the right place!

So in this guide, you’ll learn:

• What LinkedIn connection degrees actually mean

• Why having your prospects in your 1st-degree network changes everything

• How to grow your network with the right people

• How to send connection requests that get accepted

• The limits of LinkedIn’s free and paid plans—and how to avoid getting restricted

📺 Prefer to watch instead? Check out the video tutorial here:

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

What Does 1st Degree Mean on LinkedIn?

These are your direct connections. You’ve sent them a request and they accepted, or vice versa.

On LinkedIn, you can check the level of the relation next to the last name:

When someone is in your 1st degree network, you can send unlimited messages to them.

For that, you have to:

1. Click on "Message"

   
   

2. Write your message

   
   

3. Click on "Send"

You can check the contact info by clicking on "Contact info":

You will have a popup with some informations such as:

• LinkedIn Profile URL

• Email

• Phone number

• Birthday

• Connected

Note that you won't find emails and/or phone for each leads.

Most people don't give their informations easily.

That's why you need to find these informations with a third-party tool.

If you want to know how to get the verified emails of your leads, you can check this video tutorial:

What Does 2nd Degree Mean on LinkedIn?

These people are connected to your 1st-degree connections. You don’t know them yet, but you share a mutual contact.

You can see your mutual connections here:

You can't send a free message to your 2nd degree network. If you want to send a message, you have to:

1. Send a connection request (and wait they accept your connection request)

   
   

   

2. Send an InMail

You have InMails credits if you have a LinkedIn paid plan like:

1. LinkedIn Premium (Career, Business)

   
   

2. LinkedIn Sales Navigator (Core, Advanced, Enterprise)

   
   

3. LinkedIn Recruiter

If you don't know how to use InMail to reach out to your best leads on LinkedIn, you can check this video:

What Does 3rd Degree Mean on LinkedIn?

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

You will see a "3rd" next the last name.

The only way to reach out to someone in 3rd degree connection is by:

1. Sending a connection request

   
   

2. Send an InMail

Recap of 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree connections

Why Connection Degrees Matter

Why You Want Your Ideal Customers in 1st Degree

The closer your leads are to you, the easier it is to talk to them. Having your prospects in 1st degree comes with big advantages:

• Unlimited messaging: You canNo need for InMail

  
  

• Better deliverability: Your message goes straight to their inbox, not to "Other"

  
  

• More visibility: Your posts and comments show up more often in their feed

It Improves Your Social Proof

The more 1st-degree connections you have, the more social proof you build.

When prospects land on your profile and see you’re connected to many people, you gain credibility.

You will get much higher:

1. Reply rate to your messages

2. Acceptance rate to your connection requests

For example this profile has 200 connections:

While this profile has more than 500+ connections (+ a lot of followers)

I'm sure you prefer to talk to the 2nd profile, with more social proof.

How to Expand Your Network Properly

You have many ways to expand your 1st-degree connections.

But when you expand your network, keep in mind you want to add people who are potential clients. Don't add people for nothing.

Engage With Content

Engaging with content is one of the easiest ways to grow your network without sending connection requests.

Here’s what you can do:

• Like posts from your target audience

• Comment something meaningful (not just “Great post!”)

• Post your own content to stay visible and build authority

You don’t need to spend hours doing this. Just 1 hour a week is enough to stay active, get noticed, and increase your chances of connection acceptance.

For example, I get between 20 to 30 connection requests per week because I'm "active" on LinkedIn.

Some of them are from people who want to sell me something. But some are good leads.

Use "More Profile for You"

LinkedIn suggests people who are probably a good fit for you. You can use it to find relevant leads you might’ve missed.

Use Sales Navigator to Target Your Ideal Client

Sales Navigator is THE best tool to use if you want to target your ideal client.

You can filter your leads by geography, job title, geography, and so on:

It allows you to find your perfect lead, and send a connection request.

If you want to learn how to use LinkedIn Sales Navigator to find good leads, you can check this tutorial:

How to Send a Good Connection Request

If you want to expand your network, you need to send connection requests.

2 Mistakes to Avoid

• Being too vague: “Hi, let’s connect!” gives no context. Why would they accept?

• Selling immediately: Don’t pitch in your connection request. You’ll kill your chances.

Should You Add a Note?

When you send a connection request, you have 2 choices:

1. Add a note

2. Send without a note

So is it better to add a note than without a note?

• Yes, if your note is personalized and relevant (e.g. referencing a recent post or shared interest).

  
  

• No, if you’re not sure. In many cases, you’ll get better acceptance without a note.

What If Your Request Isn’t Accepted?

Most connection requests won’t be accepted—and that’s fine. Here's a benchmark to help you measure:

Note: It depends on your target. CEOs of 1000+ employee companies? Low rates.

Freelancers active on LinkedIn? 50%+ is possible.

But remember: acceptance rate isn’t everything. Your goal is not just to connect. It’s to start conversations and close sales.

Don't forget you can reach out to your leads by emails. Not only LinkedIn.

You can check how to get the verified emails of your leads from LinkedIn on this video:

What Are the LinkedIn Limitations?

LinkedIn Paid Plans vs Free Plans

Your LinkedIn plan will define the number of connection requests you can send.

• Free account: ~50 connection requests per month

• Premium/Sales Navigator: 100–200 requests per week (varies by activity and acceptance rate)

Other Limits to Know

• If your acceptance rate is too low, LinkedIn can restrict your account.

• Withdraw unaccepted requests after 2 weeks to stay safe.

Conclusion

Let’s recap:

• 1st-degree are your direct connections. You’ve sent them a request and they accepted, or vice versa.

  
  

• 2nd-degree are connected to your 1st-degree connections. You share a mutual contact.

  
  

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

Your goal is to the maximum of potential clients in your 1st-degree network.

FAQ

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

They indicate how closely you’re connected to someone.

• 1st-degree are your direct connections. You’ve sent them a request and they accepted, or vice versa.

  
  

• 2nd-degree are connected to your 1st-degree connections. You share a mutual contact.

  
  

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

How to Cancel Connection Requests on LinkedIn?

Go to “My Network” > “Sent Requests” > Click “Withdraw” on the ones you want to cancel.

Can you message 2nd or 3rd degree connections on LinkedIn?

Only if you send a connection request and it’s accepted, or if you use InMail (available with LinkedIn Premium or Sales Navigator).

How many LinkedIn connection requests can I send?

Free accounts: ~50 per month.

Premium/Sales Navigator: 100–200 per week (depending on your acceptance rate).

What’s the difference between 1st and 2nd connections on LinkedIn?

1st-degree connections are people you’re directly connected with. 2nd-degree connections are connected to your 1st-degree connections but not to you directly.