You’ve sent out connection requests and… crickets.
It’s frustrating, but there are several common reasons why your requests might be getting ignored.
Understanding these can help you dramatically improve your acceptance rate.
Common Reasons Your Requests Get Ignored
You’re sending requests to “LinkedIn Zombies” – Many LinkedIn users created a profile years ago and rarely, if ever, log in. They’re not ignoring you specifically; they’re simply not active on the platform. These inactive accounts will never see your request, let alone respond to it.
Your profile isn’t optimised – Remember, people will look at your profile before deciding whether to accept. If your profile is incomplete, lacks a professional photo, has a vague headline, or doesn’t clearly explain what you do and the value you offer, people won’t see a reason to connect.
Your headline screams “salesperson” – Unfortunately, profiles with obvious sales roles in their headlines (like “Sales Executive” or “Business Development Manager”) tend to see lower acceptance rates. People assume you’re going to pitch them immediately after connecting, so they simply don’t accept.
You’ve already pitched them elsewhere – If you’ve previously contacted them via email, phone, or other channels with a sales pitch, they’ll likely recognise your name and ignore your LinkedIn request. They’ve already decided they’re not interested.
They don’t see the relevance – If there’s no clear reason why you’re connecting—no mutual connections, no shared industry, no common interests—people won’t understand why you’re reaching out and will simply ignore the request.
You give off pushy salesperson vibes – Even if you haven’t explicitly pitched in your connection message, if your profile, your message, or your previous interactions suggest you’re just looking to sell, people will avoid connecting.
How to Improve Your Connection Acceptance Rate
Optimise your profile first – Make sure your profile clearly communicates who you are, what you do, and why someone might want to connect with you. A complete profile with a professional photo is essential.
Show up in their world before connecting – This is one of the most effective strategies. Engage with their content or content they interact with before sending a connection request. Like their posts, leave thoughtful comments, and make yourself visible in a helpful, non-pushy way. When they eventually see your connection request, you’ll already be a familiar name rather than a complete stranger.
Personalise every request – Generic messages get ignored. Reference something specific: a post they shared, a mutual connection, a shared interest, or why you genuinely want to connect.
Focus on 2nd-degree connections – People with mutual connections are far more likely to accept. They provide context and credibility for your request.
Don’t pitch in your connection message – Build the relationship first. Show genuine interest in connecting, not in selling.
Be patient and selective – Not everyone will accept, and that’s fine. Focus on quality connections with people who are genuinely relevant to your network rather than trying to connect with everyone.
Final Thought.
Getting your connection requests ignored is often less about you personally and more about how you’re approaching LinkedIn networking.
By showing up authentically, engaging genuinely, and being strategic about who you connect with and when, you’ll see your acceptance rates improve significantly.
Remember: LinkedIn is a long-term relationship-building platform, not a quick-win sales tool.
Treat it accordingly.