What Does 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Mean on LinkedIn? Network Degrees Explained

Next to every name on LinkedIn, you will see a small tag: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. These numbers indicate your degree of connection—how closely linked you are to that specific member in LinkedIn's global social graph. Understanding these degrees is essential for navigating outreach, messaging, and search algorithms effectively.

1st-Degree Connections: People you are directly connected with because one of you sent a connection request and the other accepted. You can send unlimited direct messages to 1st-degree connections for free, view their full contact info, and see their posts directly in your daily feed.

2nd-Degree Connections: People who are connected to your 1st-degree connections (friends of friends). You share mutual connections with them. You cannot send free standard messages to 2nd-degree members unless you send a connection request with a personalized note or use LinkedIn InMail. 2nd-degree contacts are the highest-converting target for warm referrals.

3rd-Degree Connections: People connected to your 2nd-degree connections. They are further out in your extended network. If their full first and last name is displayed, you can send a connection request. If only their first name is shown, you must connect through mutual groups or use InMail.

Recruiter search algorithms prioritize candidates within the recruiter's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-degree network. When you expand your 1st-degree network to 500+ relevant industry professionals, your extended network encompasses millions of searchable nodes, ensuring you surface in recruiter searches.