You’re scrolling through LinkedIn, maybe checking out a potential employer or a speaker you admire. Next to their name, instead of the familiar “1st” or “2nd,” you see “3rd.” You pause. Is this good? Bad? Does it mean you’re connected or totally disconnected? If you’ve ever felt that flicker of confusion, you’re not alone. The “1st,” “2nd,” and “3rd” labels are core to LinkedIn’s ecosystem, but they’re rarely explained on the platform itself. Understanding them is the key to unlocking the platform’s true networking power.
3rd” on LinkedIn means “Third-Degree Connection.” It’s a professional/networking way of saying this person is two people away from you in your network (You -> Your 1st Connection -> Their 1st Connection -> The 3rd Connection). They are not directly connected to you or to anyone you are directly connected to.
🧠 What Does “3rd” Mean on LinkedIn?
On LinkedIn, your network is visualized as concentric circles of proximity. The “3rd” badge specifically denotes a third-degree connection. Let’s break down the degrees:
- 1st-Degree Connections: People you have directly connected with by accepting an invitation. You can message them directly.
- 2nd-Degree Connections: People who are connected to your 1st-degree connections. You share a mutual connection. You can often send them a direct connection invitation (though sometimes a paid InMail may be required).
- 3rd-Degree Connections: People who are connected to your 2nd-degree connections. You are two steps removed from them in the network chain (You -> Mutual Friend -> Their Contact -> The 3rd). They appear in searches because you share loose network ties.
Think of it like a professional party. Your 1st-degree connections are people you’re actively talking to. Your 2nd-degree connections are friends-of-friends across the room. Your 3rd-degree connections are people your friend-of-a-friend knows, who you might not have met yet but are in the broader social sphere.
In short: 3rd = Third-Degree Connection = Someone two networking steps away from you.
📱 Where Do You See “3rd” on LinkedIn?
You’ll encounter the “3rd” label in several key places on the platform, each offering a networking clue:
- 🔍 Search Results: When you search for people, their profile card will show “1st,” “2nd,” or “3rd” to indicate their proximity to you.
- 👤 “People Also Viewed” Sidebar: On someone’s profile, this section suggests similar professionals, often tagged with their connection degree.
- text**💼 Company Pages (“How you’re connected”):** On a company page, LinkedIn shows employees and filters them by 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-degree connections.
- 📬 “Who’s Viewed Your Profile”: If a 3rd-degree connection views your profile in private mode, they may appear as “Someone in the [Industry] industry.”
It’s important to note that this is exclusively a LinkedIn feature. You won’t see “3rd” used this way on Instagram, Twitter, or in text messages. On LinkedIn, it’s a formal, system-generated label critical for understanding professional reach.
💬 Examples of “3rd” in Action on LinkedIn
Seeing the label in context helps. Here’s how it influences behavior on the platform:
Example 1: Researching a Potential Hire
- Recruiter A: “We need a senior DevOps engineer. Let me search.”
- (Searches, finds a promising profile)
- Recruiter A: “This candidate looks perfect, but they’re a 3rd-degree connection. I’ll see if any of my 2nd-degree connections can introduce us.”
Example 2: Preparing for a Sales Call
- Salesperson: (Looking at a prospect’s profile) “They’re a 3rd. But I see we both worked at large tech firms. I’ll use that common ground in my connection request message instead of just sending a generic invite.”
Example 3: Networking Strategy
- Job Seeker: “I’m targeting this company. On their LinkedIn page, I have three 2nd-degree connections and dozens of 3rd-degree connections working there. I’ll prioritize asking my mutuals for warm introductions first.”
Example 4: Profile View Notification
- User: “Hmm, ‘Someone at TechGlobal Inc. viewed your profile.’ They’re a 3rd. Maybe a recruiter found me through a shared connection’s network. I should update my headline.”
Example 5: Understanding Visibility
- User: “When I post content, it’s seen by my 1st-degree connections and sometimes their connections (2nd). To reach 3rd-degree connections, my content needs to be engaging enough for my network to share or interact with it widely.”
🕓 When to Use and When Not to Use Your “3rd” Network
Understanding the “3rd” label is about strategic action, not just observation.
✅ When to Leverage Your 3rd-Degree Network:
- Strategic Networking: To expand your reach into new companies or industries.
- Job Searching: To identify and research potential contacts at target companies.
- Sales Prospecting: To map out an organization and find potential entry points.
- Content Strategy: To create shareable content that can cascade through networks to reach these distant connections.
- Market Research: To see who is connected to influential people in your field.
❌ When the “3rd” Label Indicates a Hurdle:
- Sending a Direct Message: You typically cannot message a 3rd-degree connection directly unless you use a paid InMail credit.
- Expecting a Warm Introduction: A 3rd-degree connection is too far for an easy, casual intro. You’ll need a strategic bridge.
- Assuming They Know You: They have no direct link to you, so your initial outreach must provide clear context and value.
Comparison Table: Navigating Connection Degrees
| Context | Your Action | Why It Works (or Doesn’t) |
|---|---|---|
| Finding a Hiring Manager | See they are a 3rd. Use common groups or a shared 2nd-degree connection for an intro. | Strategic; shows you’ve done your homework and respect the network chain. |
| Sending a Connection Request | To a 3rd, always include a personalized note explaining why you want to connect. | Necessary. A blank invite to a 3rd-degree connection has a very low acceptance rate. |
| Asking for a Favor | Asking a 1st for an intro to a 3rd is reasonable. Asking a 2nd to intro you to a 3rd is a bigger ask. | Understands social capital. Leverage strong ties before asking weak ties for help. |
| Content Reach | A post seen by a 3rd means it gained traction organically through your 1st and 2nd-degree network. | Indicates high engagement and relevance beyond your immediate circle. |
🔄 Similar LinkedIn Network Terms & Alternatives
The “3rd” label is part of a suite of terms LinkedIn uses. Knowing the full lexicon makes you a power user.
| Term | Meaning | When You See/Use It |
|---|---|---|
| 1st / 1st-Degree | A direct connection. | On profiles, in your connection list. The core of your network. |
| 2nd / 2nd-Degree | Shares a mutual connection with you. | In search results. The prime target for expanding your network. |
| 3rd / 3rd-Degree | Two steps away from you (see above). | In broad searches. Represents your extended, potential network. |
| Follow | You see their content, but are not connected. | On influencer or company profiles. For passive learning. |
| Shared Connection | The specific 1st-degree connection you have in common. | On a 2nd-degree profile. Your key to a warmer introduction. |
| InMail | A paid direct message to someone you’re not connected to. | When you need to contact a 2nd or 3rd-degree connection urgently. |
| Open Profile | A user setting that allows anyone to message them for free. | A blue circle icon on a profile. Means you can message even a 3rd-degree connection. |
❓ FAQs About “3rd” on LinkedIn
Q: Is it bad if someone is a 3rd-degree connection?
A: Not at all. It’s neutral. It simply maps your network distance. Everyone starts as a 3rd-degree connection before you connect. It represents opportunity.
Q: Can a 3rd-degree connection see my profile?
A: Yes, if your profile visibility settings allow it. They can find you in search and view your full profile if you have a public setting or a setting that allows it. In “Who’s Viewed Your Profile,” they may appear anonymized (e.g., “Someone in the Software industry”).
Q: How do I become a 1st-degree connection with a 3rd?
A: Send them a personalized connection request. The most effective way is to find a commonality (shared group, alma mater, skill) or get an introduction from a mutual 2nd-degree connection.
Q: What’s beyond 3rd? Is there a “4th”?
A: On LinkedIn, the network stops at “3rd+.” “3rd+” means they are a 3rd-degree connection or farther removed. The platform doesn’t visually distinguish degrees beyond three.
Q: Does having more 1st-degree connections give me more 2nd and 3rd connections?
A: Absolutely. Each new 1st-degree connection exposes you to all of their 1st-degree connections (your new 2nds) and their connections (your new 3rds). Your network grows exponentially.
🚀 Mastering Your LinkedIn Network
The “3rd” label is more than just a tiny icon; it’s a roadmap. It reveals the structure of the professional world as LinkedIn sees it and shows you the paths available to reach new people. Don’t see a “3rd” as a wall, but as a signpost pointing toward a potential future connection. By understanding the difference between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-degree connections, you move from passively browsing profiles to actively engineering your professional network.
Your next step? Do a search for your dream company or role. Look at the connection degrees of the people who appear. Identify the 2nd-degree connections who could be bridges. Craft a meaningful request. The power of LinkedIn isn’t in who you already know, but in understanding how to reach who you need to know. That journey often starts with a single, strategic “3rd.” Now you know exactly what it means and how to cross that bridge.
