Understand LinkedIn Rules and Terms of Service
LinkedIn has a clearly written list of rules for users, which are provided in the site’s terms of service user agreement (accessible through the User Agreement link in the site’s footer as shown in Figure 2.1). The document covers rules that every member must comply with or risk account deactivation. There are 5 do’s and 28 don’ts included in the LinkedIn user agreement, so make sure you read them and abide by them in all of your LinkedIn activities.
Figure 2.1: Click the User Agreement link in the LinkedIn.com footer to review the site’s terms of service.
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To read the complete LinkedIn rules and policies before you start your profile, follow these links:
• User Agreement—linkedin.com/static?key=user_agreement&trk=hb_ft_userag
• Copyright Policy—linkedin.com/static?key=copyright_policy&trk=hb_ft_copy
• Privacy Policy—linkedin.com/static?key=privacy_policy&trk=hb_ft_priv
The best rule to follow is this: If you’re unsure whether a LinkedIn activity is acceptable, don’t do it. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so erring on the side of caution ensures that your hard work in building up your LinkedIn profile and audience isn’t wasted over a single action. If you act professionally, ethically, honestly, and legally on LinkedIn, you should be safe and a welcome member of the LinkedIn community.
The Least You Need to Know
• To develop your LinkedIn plan, you must define your networking, content, and marketing strategies.
• Determine who you want to connect with (your target audience) to reach your LinkedIn goals.
• Online influencers can help spread your words and your authority wider and farther than you can alone.
• There are both written and unwritten rules of LinkedIn that you must follow at all times.