LinkedIn has become the premier professional networking platform with over 900 million members worldwide. To navigate this vast network effectively, understanding LinkedIn’s connection system is crucial—particularly when you encounter symbols like “3+” next to potential connections. This comprehensive guide explains what “3+” means on LinkedIn, how the connection degree system works, and how you can leverage these connections for effective networking and lead generation.
For professionals using LinkedIn for business development, understanding these connection degrees isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about unlocking strategic networking opportunities that can significantly impact your outreach success.
What Are LinkedIn Connection Degrees?
- 1st-degree connections: People you’re directly connected with (you’ve accepted their invitation or they’ve accepted yours)
- 2nd-degree connections: People connected to your 1st-degree connections
- 3rd-degree connections: People connected to your 2nd-degree connections
- 3+ connections: People who are at least three steps away from your network or have limited profile visibility
Understanding the 3+ Symbol on LinkedIn
Before changing your settings, it’s essential to understand the different profile viewing options LinkedIn offers and how they affect your experience.
What Exactly Does 3+ Mean?
- A third-degree connection (connected to your second-degree connections)
- Someone further removed than a third-degree connection
- A member with whom you share a group but have no other connection path
How 3+ Differs from Other Connection Types
Understanding the distinction between connection types is essential for effective networking:
Connection TypeRelationshipHow They AppearDirect Message Ability1st DegreeDirectly connected1stYes, freely2nd DegreeConnected to your connections2ndNo, requires InMail or introduction3rd DegreeConnected to your 2nd-degree connections3rdNo, requires InMail or introduction3+Beyond 3rd degree or limited visibility3+No, requires InMail or premium features
The Significance of Connection Degrees for Networking
LinkedIn’s connection degree system is more than just labels—it directly impacts your ability to:
- Communicate: Determines whether you can message someone directly or need InMail credits
- View profiles: Affects how much profile information you can see
- Send connection requests: Influences how you can request connections
- Search visibility: Determines whether you appear in others’ searches
For sales professionals and networkers, understanding these limitations and opportunities is the first step toward a strategic LinkedIn presence.
How to Connect with 3+ Connections on LinkedIn
Connecting with 3+ members requires a different approach than connecting with closer-degree connections:
Standard Methods:
- Using InMail: If you have LinkedIn Premium or Sales Navigator, you can send InMail messages to 3+ connections.
- Group Connections: If you share a LinkedIn group, you can sometimes message group members directly.
- Finding Common Ground: Look for mutual interests, companies, or educational institutions to mention in your connection request.
Advanced Strategies:
- Work Through Your Network: Ask a mutual connection for an introduction to bridge the gap.
- Personalized Connection Requests: Always include a personalized note explaining why you want to connect.
- Join Strategic Groups: Participate in LinkedIn groups where your target connections are active.
As noted in a study on LinkedIn connection effectiveness, personalized connection requests to 3+ connections have a 35% higher acceptance rate than generic invitations. To maximize your outreach efficiency, it’s important to know how many LinkedIn messages you can send per day to avoid hitting platform limits.
Can You Message 3+ Connections on LinkedIn?
One of the most common questions about 3+ connections is whether you can message them directly. The answer depends on several factors:
Standard LinkedIn Account:
- An accepted connection request
- LinkedIn Premium (InMail credits)
- Group membership overlap
Premium Account Options:
- InMail Credits: Premium accounts provide monthly InMail credits specifically designed for reaching out to individuals outside your direct network.
- Sales Navigator: Provides additional InMail credits and advanced search features to find and connect with prospects.
Alternative Contact Methods:
- Find shared groups: Messaging is often enabled between group members
- Search for their email: Many professionals list contact information on their profiles
- Use a LinkedIn CRM integration to organize and manage your outreach strategies
Expanding Your Network Beyond 3rd+ Connections
To grow your network and reduce the number of 3+ connections you encounter:
Strategic Expansion Methods:
- Connect with industry hubs: Identify and connect with well-networked individuals in your industry
- Participate actively in groups: Engaging in group discussions increases your visibility
- Publish content regularly: Thought leadership attracts new connections
- Attend virtual and in-person events: LinkedIn often suggests connections from events you attend
Network Quality vs. Quantity:
While expanding your network is valuable, quality connections are more important than sheer numbers. Focus on meaningful relationships that align with your professional goals.
According to LinkedIn’s own research, users with more than 500 quality connections are 400% more likely to receive opportunities through the platform.
Using 3+ Connections for Lead Generation
Despite the limitations, 3+ connections represent a vast pool of potential leads and opportunities:
Effective Strategies:
- Targeted content: Create content that appeals to your ideal client profile
- Second-degree introductions: Ask mutual connections for introductions
- Group engagement: Provide value in groups where your target prospects participate
- Export LinkedIn leads systematically: Organize your 3+ prospects in your CRM for structured follow-up
Using Technology to Navigate Connection Limitations:
Modern LeadCRMs like leadCRM help streamline the process of connecting with 3+ prospects by:
- Tracking relationship stages: Monitor as connections move from 3+ to closer degrees
- Automated follow-ups: Set personalized follow-up sequences
- CRM integration: Sync your LinkedIn networking efforts with your Salesforce or Pipedrive CRM
How leadCRM.io Helps Leverage Your LinkedIn Connections
To maximize your networking potential across all connection degrees, consider how an integrated LinkedIn CRM solution like leadCRM can help:
Effective Strategies:
To maximize your networking potential across all connection degrees, consider how an integrated LinkedIn CRM solution like leadCRM can help:
- Connection Degree Analytics: Track how many connections you have at each degree level
- Network Expansion Tools: Identify strategic connections that can broaden your reach
- Engagement Tracking: See who’s viewed your profile to identify interested 3+ connections
- Multi-channel Follow-up: Connect with prospects through multiple channels beyond LinkedIn
- Performance Reports: Measure the effectiveness of your connection strategies
By systematically approaching your 3+ connections with leadCRM’s tools, you can transform these distant contacts into valuable network members and potential clients.
Best Practices for Managing Your LinkedIn Connection Strategy
- Quality over quantity: Focus on meaningful connections rather than collecting connections
- Regular network maintenance: Review and engage with your network regularly
- Strategic connection planning: Identify key individuals who could serve as network bridges
- Consistent value delivery: Share insights and content that benefit your connections
- Systematic follow-up: Use a CRM like leadCRM to track and nurture relationships
Conclusion
Understanding what “3+” means on LinkedIn is just the beginning of mastering LinkedIn’s networking potential. The platform’s connection degree system creates both limitations and opportunities for professionals looking to expand their network and generate leads.
By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide and leveraging tools like leadCRM’s LinkedIn integration capabilities, you can transform distant 3+ connections into valuable network members, potential clients, and business partners.
The most successful LinkedIn networkers recognize that each connection—regardless of degree—represents potential value. With the right approach, even those marked with “3+” can become important parts of your professional ecosystem.
Ready to master LinkedIn networking across all connection degrees? Try leadCRM today to streamline your LinkedIn outreach, organize your connections strategically, and convert more prospects into valuable relationships. Our platform integrates seamlessly with LinkedIn to help you break through connection barriers and establish meaningful professional relationships at scale.
Schedule a demo to see how leadCRM can transform your LinkedIn networking strategy and help you leverage connections of all degrees for business growth.
Common Questions About LinkedIn Connection Degrees (FAQ)
What is the difference between 2nd and 3rd connections on LinkedIn?
A 2nd-degree connection is someone directly connected to one of your connections—essentially a friend of a friend. A 3rd-degree connection is one step further removed, meaning they’re connected to your 2nd-degree connections. The key difference is accessibility: you can generally send connection requests directly to 2nd-degree connections, while 3rd-degree connections may have limited visibility or connection options depending on their privacy settings.
How do I connect with 3rd+ connections on LinkedIn?
To connect with 3rd+ connections, you have several options:
- Send them an InMail if you have a Premium account
- Request an introduction through a mutual connection
- Join groups they’re in to enable messaging
- Send a personalized connection request explaining your interest in connecting Always include context in your outreach to increase acceptance rates.
Can I message 3rd+ connections on LinkedIn?
With a standard LinkedIn account, you typically cannot message 3rd+ connections directly. You’ll need either:
- A Premium subscription with InMail credits
- Membership in the same LinkedIn group
- An accepted connection request
- A mutual connection willing to make an introduction
What does 3rd+ mean on LinkedIn profile?
The 3rd+ designation on a LinkedIn profile indicates that person is either:
- Connected to your 2nd-degree connections (making them 3rd degree)
- More than three connection levels away from you
- Someone with limited profile visibility based on privacy settings The “+” symbol signifies they could be even further removed than three degrees of separation.
How do I increase my LinkedIn network beyond 3rd connections?
To expand your network beyond 3rd connections:
- Consistently engage with content in your industry
- Join and participate actively in relevant LinkedIn groups
- Attend virtual and in-person networking events
- Publish thought leadership content regularly
- Use advanced search features to find and connect with strategic professionals
- Follow up with viewers of your profile
- Leverage alumni networks and professional associations
