LinkedIn sums up its rules as three principles: be safe, be trustworthy and be professional
The page opens by describing LinkedIn as a community where members treat each other with respect and help each other succeed. It then summarizes its rules in three short principles: only bring safe conversations to LinkedIn; use your true identity and share information that is real and authentic; and keep conversations about the world of work professional. These one-line summaries are expanded by the detailed policies later on the same page, which set out what is actually prohibited under each principle.
Supporting quotations
This is a community where we treat each other with respect and help each other succeed.
Only bring safe conversations to LinkedIn.
Use your true identity and share information that is real and authentic.
We allow broad conversations about the world of work, but just keep it professional.
Qualifications & exceptions
The summaries are short headlines; the detailed prohibitions appear in the sections that follow on the same page.
Content & IP Rights · Context
The policies apply to all members, whose contributions should add to the community constructively
LinkedIn states that these policies apply to all members. It says the content you contribute should add to the LinkedIn community in a constructive manner, and that the rest of the page explains what that means. It also tells members to review its separate Publishing Platform Guidelines, which are linked but were not supplied with this page.
Supporting quotations
These policies apply to all members.
The content that you contribute should add to the LinkedIn community in a constructive manner.
You should also review our [Publishing Platform Guidelines](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/47545).
Qualifications & exceptions
The page points to separate Publishing Platform Guidelines that members "should also review"; their content is not part of this analysis.
Not stated here
The linked Publishing Platform Guidelines were not supplied, so any additional rules they contain are unknown here.
Content & IP Rights · User right or choice
You can report anything you believe may violate the policies, including profiles, posts, messages and comments
LinkedIn asks members who see something they believe may violate its policies to report it, whether it appears in profiles, posts, messages, comments or anywhere else. Content can be reported through the three-dots icon in the upper right-hand corner of the content itself. LinkedIn asks that the reporting tools be used responsibly and only for their intended purposes. Reporting is framed as a request ("please report it"), not a duty, and is based on your own belief that something may break the rules.
Supporting quotations
If you see something you believe may violate our policies, whether in profiles, posts, messages, comments, or anywhere else, please [report it to us](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/146).
Users can report content by clicking on the three dots icon in the upper right-hand corner of the content itself on LinkedIn.
Please use the reporting tools responsibly and only for their intended purposes.
Qualifications & exceptions
Reporting rests on the member's belief that something "may violate" the policies; the member does not have to be certain.
LinkedIn asks that reporting tools be used "responsibly and only for their intended purposes".
Not stated here
The page does not say what happens if the reporting tools are misused.
The linked reporting help page and Transparency Center were not supplied.
Content & IP Rights · Company practice
Trained reviewers, automated systems and member reports are used to find violating content, which can be removed
LinkedIn says it uses trained content reviewers and automated systems to identify potentially violative content, and that member reports, combined with its automated defenses, help it identify and prevent abuse. Content that violates the policies can be removed from LinkedIn. This means content can be flagged by software, not only by people. The page links to a separate explanation of its content moderation approach, including its automated systems, which was not supplied.
Supporting quotations
In addition to LinkedIn's trained content reviewers, we use automated systems to identify potentially violative content.
Violating content can be removed from LinkedIn.
Combined with our automated defenses, these reports help us identify and prevent abuse.
Qualifications & exceptions
Removal is stated as a possibility ("can be removed"), not an automatic outcome.
Not stated here
How the automated systems work, and whether a person reviews automated decisions, is not described on this page; the linked moderation page was not supplied.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Educational or newsworthy content may stay up despite breaking the policies, behind a warning screen if graphic
LinkedIn may allow certain content that would otherwise violate these policies to stay on the platform if it is educational or newsworthy. Its examples include graphic depictions of an occupation, such as video of a surgeon operating; content about a newsworthy event like war or armed conflict; and inherently newsworthy content such as statements or actions by certain public officials. When deciding whether something is newsworthy, LinkedIn weighs the potential harm of leaving it up against its value to members and the public. Graphic or disturbing content kept up on this basis will include a warning screen. The exception is at LinkedIn's discretion: it "may allow certain content", so qualifying as educational or newsworthy does not guarantee the content stays.
Supporting quotations
We may allow certain content that would otherwise violate these Professional Community Policies to remain on the platform if it is educational or newsworthy.
Examples may include graphic depictions of an occupation, such as video of a surgeon operating, content shared about a newsworthy event like war or armed conflict, or inherently newsworthy content like statements or actions by certain public officials.
When making a determination of newsworthiness, we balance the potential harm from the content staying on the platform against the value to our members and the public of it staying accessible.
Graphic or disturbing newsworthy or educational content will include a warning screen.
Qualifications & exceptions
The exception is discretionary ("We may allow certain content"), not a right of the poster.
The listed cases are examples ("Examples may include"), not a complete list.
The harm-versus-value balance is described for newsworthiness decisions.
Graphic or disturbing content kept up under the exception "will include a warning screen".
Not stated here
The page does not say which policies, if any, this exception can never override.
The page does not say which public officials count as "certain public officials".
No harassment, bullying, doxing or trolling of other members
LinkedIn does not allow bullying or harassment, which it says includes targeted personal attacks, intimidation, shaming, disparagement and abusive language directed at other members. You must not reveal other people's personal or sensitive information (doxing is given as an example) or incite others to do so. Trolling and other repetitive negative content that disrupts other members or conversations is also not allowed.
Supporting quotations
We don’t allow bullying or harassment. This includes targeted personal attacks, intimidation, shaming, disparagement, and abusive language directed at other members.
Do not reveal others' personal or sensitive information (for example, doxing), or incite others to do the same.
You may not engage in trolling or other repetitive negative content that disrupts other members or conversations on the platform.
Qualifications & exceptions
The listed behaviours are what harassment "includes"; the list is not presented as complete.
The trolling rule covers repetitive negative content "that disrupts other members or conversations on the platform".
Not stated here
The linked harassing and abusive content policy page was not supplied.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
No threats or incitement of violence, and no support for violent or organized criminal groups
LinkedIn does not allow threatening or inciting violence of any kind. It also does not allow individuals or groups that engage in or promote violence, property damage or organized criminal activity, and you may not use LinkedIn to express support for such individuals or groups or otherwise glorify violence. The rule reaches who may be on LinkedIn, not only what is posted. Separately, the page says LinkedIn may let some otherwise-violating content stay up if it is educational or newsworthy, giving content about war or armed conflict as an example.
Supporting quotations
We don’t allow threatening or inciting violence of any kind.
We don’t allow individuals or groups that engage in or promote violence, property damage, or organized criminal activity.
You may not use LinkedIn to express support for such individuals or groups or to otherwise glorify violence.
content shared about a newsworthy event like war or armed conflict
Qualifications & exceptions
The ban covers "threatening or inciting violence of any kind".
LinkedIn's discretionary educational or newsworthy exception, with war or armed conflict as an example, may let some otherwise-violating content remain.
Not stated here
The page does not define when someone counts as engaging in or promoting violence, property damage or organized criminal activity.
The linked violent and graphic content policy page was not supplied.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Zero tolerance for child sexual exploitation material or using LinkedIn to exploit children
LinkedIn states zero tolerance for content that depicts the sexual exploitation of children. You must not share, post, transmit or solicit child exploitation material through or using the platform, and must not use LinkedIn in any way to facilitate, encourage or engage in the abuse or exploitation of children. LinkedIn also says it generally removes images of non-sexualized child nudity, even when shared with good intentions, because of the potential for misappropriation and abuse by others.
Supporting quotations
We have zero tolerance for content that depicts the sexual exploitation of children.
Do not share, post, transmit, or solicit child exploitation material through or using our platform.
Do not use LinkedIn in any way to facilitate, encourage, or engage in the abuse or exploitation of children.
while we recognize that there may be instances where people share images of non-sexualized child nudity with good intentions, we generally remove these images due to the potential of misappropriation and abuse by others.
Qualifications & exceptions
Removal of non-sexualized child nudity is described as what LinkedIn "generally" does, not an absolute rule.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
No selling or buying dangerous, illegal or restricted goods, fake credentials, scraped data or proxy test-taking
LinkedIn does not allow content that facilitates the purchase of dangerous, illegal or otherwise restricted goods and services, prostitution or escort services. It also bans content that promotes or distributes fake educational or professional certifications, the sale of scraped data, proxy test-taking, or instructions for creating forged official documents. You also must not use LinkedIn to sensationalize or capitalize on tragic events for commercial purposes.
Supporting quotations
We don't allow content that facilitates the purchase of dangerous, illegal, or otherwise restricted goods and services, prostitution, and escort services.
We don't allow content that promotes or distributes fake educational and/or professional certifications, sale of scraped data, proxy test-taking, or instructions on creating forged official documents.
Do not use LinkedIn to sensationalize or capitalize on tragic events for commercial purposes.
Qualifications & exceptions
The page does not list which goods and services count as "otherwise restricted".
Not stated here
The linked restricted goods and services policy page was not supplied, so the full list of restricted items is unknown here.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Lotteries, contests, sweepstakes and giveaways may not be run on LinkedIn
You may not use LinkedIn to hold lotteries, contests, sweepstakes or giveaways. The rule appears in the restricted goods and services section and is stated without exceptions, so it reaches ordinary promotional giveaways as well as gambling-style lotteries.
Supporting quotations
You may not use LinkedIn to hold lotteries, contests, sweepstakes, or giveaways.
Qualifications & exceptions
The page states the rule without exceptions or conditions.
Not stated here
The linked restricted goods and services policy page was not supplied and may contain further detail.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
No false or misleading content, election interference, or content contradicting public health guidance
You must not share content that is false, misleading or intended to deceive. You must not share content to interfere with or improperly influence an election or other civic process. You also must not share content that directly contradicts guidance from leading global health organizations and public health authorities, including false information about the safety or efficacy of vaccines or medical treatments. The health rule measures content against what those authorities say, not against an independent judgement of truth.
Supporting quotations
Do not share content that is false, misleading, or intended to deceive.
Do not share content to interfere with or improperly influence an election or other civic process.
Do not share content that directly contradicts guidance from leading global health organizations and public health authorities; including false information about the safety or efficacy of vaccines or medical treatments.
Qualifications & exceptions
The health rule applies to content that "directly contradicts" guidance from leading global health organizations and public health authorities.
LinkedIn's discretionary educational or newsworthy exception, described earlier on the page, may let some otherwise-violating content remain.
Not stated here
The page does not name which health organizations or authorities it treats as leading, or what happens when they disagree.
The linked false or misleading content policy page was not supplied.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Deepfakes of real people are banned unless their fake or altered nature is clearly disclosed
You must not share synthetic or manipulated media that shows a person saying something they did not say or doing something they did not do, unless you clearly disclose that the material is fake or altered. Clear disclosure is the condition that makes such media allowed under this rule.
Supporting quotations
Do not share synthetic or manipulated media that depicts a person saying something they did not say or doing something they did not do without clearly disclosing the fake or altered nature of the material.
Qualifications & exceptions
The disclosure must be clear ("without clearly disclosing the fake or altered nature of the material").
Not stated here
The page does not say what form or placement of disclosure counts as clear.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Members should treat each other with respect and civility and avoid uncivil, inappropriate or disrespectful content
LinkedIn allows broad conversations about the world of work but requires professional expression. Members should treat each other with respect and civility, and must not interact with others or share content in a way that is uncivil, inappropriate or disrespectful. This is a broad standard: the page does not define what counts as uncivil, inappropriate or disrespectful, which leaves LinkedIn wide room to judge.
Supporting quotations
We allow broad conversations about the world of work, but require professional expression.
To maintain a professional platform, members should treat each other with respect and civility.
Do not interact with others or share content in a way that's uncivil, inappropriate, or disrespectful.
Qualifications & exceptions
Broad conversations about the world of work are allowed, but "require professional expression".
Not stated here
The page does not define "uncivil, inappropriate, or disrespectful".
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
No hateful content, hate groups, slurs or denial of well-documented historical events
LinkedIn does not allow content that attacks, denigrates, intimidates, dehumanizes, incites or threatens hatred, violence, or prejudicial or discriminatory action against individuals or groups because of their actual or perceived race, ethnicity, national origin, caste, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, age or disability status. Hate groups are not permitted on LinkedIn. You must not use racial, religious or other slurs that incite or promote hatred, or any other content intended to create division. You also must not post or share content that denies a well-documented historical event, such as the Holocaust or slavery in the United States.
Supporting quotations
We don't allow content that attacks, denigrates, intimidates, dehumanizes, incites or threatens hatred, violence, prejudicial or discriminatory action against individuals or groups because of their actual or perceived race, ethnicity, national origin, caste, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, age, or disability status.
Hate groups are not permitted on LinkedIn.
Do not use racial, religious, or other slurs that incite or promote hatred, or any other content intended to create division.
Do not post or share content that denies a well-documented historical event such as the Holocaust or slavery in the United States.
Qualifications & exceptions
Protection covers "actual or perceived" characteristics.
The Holocaust and slavery in the United States are examples ("such as") of well-documented historical events.
Not stated here
The page does not define "content intended to create division" or how LinkedIn identifies a hate group.
The linked hateful and derogatory content policy page was not supplied.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
LinkedIn is not a dating site: no romantic pursuit, sexual advances, innuendo or sexually explicit images
LinkedIn does not allow unwanted expressions of attraction or desire, requests for a romantic relationship, marriage proposals, sexual advances or innuendo, or lewd remarks. It states that it is a professional networking platform, not a dating site. You must not use LinkedIn to pursue romantic connections, ask for romantic dates, or comment sexually on someone's appearance or perceived attractiveness. You must not send unwanted advances in messages, posts or comments, or send sexually explicit images to anyone on the platform. The ban on pursuing romantic connections and asking for dates is not limited to unwanted approaches, and the explicit-image ban applies even when the recipient might welcome it.
Supporting quotations
We don't allow unwanted expressions of attraction, desire, requests for romantic relationship, marriage proposals, sexual advances or innuendo, or lewd remarks.
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, not a dating site.
Do not use LinkedIn to pursue romantic connections, ask for romantic dates, or provide sexual commentary on someone's appearance or perceived attractiveness.
Do not send unwanted advances in messages, posts, or comments or send sexually explicit images to anyone on the platform.
Qualifications & exceptions
Some prohibitions are limited to "unwanted" expressions or advances, but the bans on pursuing romantic connections, asking for dates and sending sexually explicit images are not.
The rule covers private messages as well as posts and comments.
Not stated here
The linked sexual harassment and unwanted advances policy page was not supplied.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
No gruesome or gratuitously graphic content, and nothing that promotes or facilitates criminal activity
LinkedIn does not allow content that is excessively gruesome or shocking, including sadistic or gratuitously graphic content such as depictions of bodily injury or severe physical or sexual violence. It also bans content, activities or events that promote, organize, depict or facilitate criminal activity, and content depicting or promoting instructional weapon making, drug abuse or threats of theft. You must not engage in or promote escort services, prostitution, exploitation of children or human trafficking, which repeats and extends bans stated earlier on the page. Separately, LinkedIn may let graphic content stay up if it is educational or newsworthy, for example video of a surgeon operating, with a warning screen.
Supporting quotations
We don't allow content that is excessively gruesome or shocking. This includes content that is sadistic or gratuitously graphic, such as the depiction of bodily injury, severe physical or sexual violence.
We don't allow content, activities, or events that promote, organize, depict, or facilitate criminal activity.
We also don't allow content depicting or promoting instructional weapon making, drug abuse, and threats of theft.
Do not engage in or promote escort services, prostitution, exploitation of children, or human trafficking.
graphic depictions of an occupation, such as video of a surgeon operating
Qualifications & exceptions
The graphic-content ban targets content that is "excessively" gruesome or shocking or "gratuitously" graphic.
LinkedIn's discretionary educational or newsworthy exception, described earlier on the page, may let some otherwise-violating content remain.
Not stated here
The linked violent and graphic content policy page was not supplied.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
No content promoting suicide or self-injury; LinkedIn asks members to report signs of self-harm
You must not share content or activities that promote or encourage suicide or any type of self-injury, including self-mutilation and eating disorders. If you see signs that someone may be considering self-harm, LinkedIn asks you to report it using its reporting tools and to consider also reporting it to your local law enforcement authorities. The reporting request is a suggestion, not a duty.
Supporting quotations
Do not share content or activities that promote or encourage suicide or any type of self-injury, including self-mutilation and eating disorders.
If you see signs that someone may be considering self-harm, please report it using our reporting tools and consider also reporting it to your local law enforcement authorities.
Qualifications & exceptions
The ban covers content that "promote[s] or encourage[s]" suicide or self-injury.
Reporting to law enforcement is something members should "consider", not a requirement.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
No material depicting nudity or sexual activity
You must not share material depicting nudity or sexual activity. The rule is stated without conditions on this page.
Supporting quotations
Do not share material depicting nudity or sexual activity.
Qualifications & exceptions
LinkedIn's discretionary educational or newsworthy exception, described earlier on the page, may let some otherwise-violating content remain.
Not stated here
The linked nudity and adult content policy page was not supplied and may contain exceptions not shown here.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
No spam, including untargeted or unwanted promotional messages and promotional invitations to strangers
LinkedIn does not allow untargeted, irrelevant, obviously unwanted, unauthorized, inappropriate commercial or promotional, or gratuitously repetitive messages or similar content. You must not use the invitation feature to send promotional messages to people you don't know or to otherwise spam people. LinkedIn asks members to make the effort to create original, professional, relevant and interesting content to gain engagement.
Supporting quotations
We don't allow untargeted, irrelevant, obviously unwanted, unauthorized, inappropriate commercial or promotional, or gratuitously repetitive messages or similar content.
Do not use our invitation feature to send promotional messages to people you don't know or to otherwise spam people.
Please make the effort to create original, professional, relevant, and interesting content in order to gain engagement.
Qualifications & exceptions
The invitation rule targets promotional messages "to people you don't know".
Not stated here
The linked spam content policy page was not supplied.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
No artificial engagement, including pre-arranged agreements to like or re-share each other's content
You must not do things to artificially increase engagement with your content. LinkedIn asks members to respond authentically to others' content and not to agree with others ahead of time to like or re-share each other's content. This covers arrangements between members, not only automated tools.
Supporting quotations
Don't do things to artificially increase engagement with your content.
Respond authentically to others’ content and don’t agree with others ahead of time to like or re-share each other’s content.
Not stated here
The page does not list which methods count as artificially increasing engagement beyond pre-arranged likes or re-shares.