The "1st" icon on LinkedIn means that person is your first-degree connection—you're directly connected. You've either sent them a connection request that they accepted, or they sent one to you. First-degree connections are the foundation of your LinkedIn network.

This guide explains what 1st-degree connections mean, what you can do with them, and how LinkedIn's connection degree system works for professional networking.

Key Takeaways

1st degree = direct connection: You've accepted each other's connection requests
Message directly: No InMail required to message 1st-degree connections
See their email: Their email address is visible (unless they hide it)
Priority in feeds: Your content shows more often to 1st-degree connections
30,000 limit: LinkedIn caps 1st-degree connections at 30,000

Understanding LinkedIn Connection Degrees

LinkedIn uses a degree system to show how closely you're connected to other members. According to LinkedIn's official documentation, there are three connection degrees.

Quick Overview

Degree	What It Means	Icon
1st	Directly connected	1st
2nd	Connected to your 1st-degree connections	2nd
3rd	Connected to your 2nd-degree connections	3rd
3rd+	More than three degrees away	3rd+

What 1st-Degree Connections Can Do

Your 1st-degree connections have special privileges compared to other LinkedIn members.

Direct Messaging

You can message any 1st-degree connection without:

Using InMail credits
Paying for premium features
Waiting for connection acceptance

Simply go to their profile and click "Message" to start a conversation.

View Contact Information

According to LinkedIn's privacy settings, 1st-degree connections can see:

Email addresses (unless hidden)
Phone numbers (if shared)
Website URLs
Other contact details the person has added

Feed Visibility

Your posts appear more prominently in your 1st-degree connections' feeds because:

LinkedIn's algorithm prioritizes close connections
Engagement from 1st-degree connections boosts your reach
They're more likely to see and interact with your content

Profile Access

With 1st-degree connections, you can:

View their full profile without restrictions
See their complete connection list (unless they've hidden it)
View their activity and recent posts
Access their recommendations and endorsements

How to See Someone's Connection Degree

The connection degree icon appears in several places:

In Search Results

When you search for people, the degree icon (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) appears next to their name, helping you identify how closely connected you are.

On Their Profile

Visit any LinkedIn profile and look for the degree indicator near their name and headline. For 1st-degree connections, you'll see the "1st" badge.

In Your Feed

Posts and comments from 1st-degree connections often show the "1st" icon, indicating you're directly connected.

1st vs. 2nd vs. 3rd-Degree Connections

Understanding the differences helps you network more effectively.

Communication Options by Degree

Action	1st Degree	2nd Degree	3rd Degree
Direct Message	Yes	No*	No*
View Email	Yes**	No	No
See Full Profile	Yes	Mostly	Limited
See Connections	Yes**	Mutual only	Mutual only
Send Connection Request	Already connected	Yes	Yes

*Can message via InMail or groups **Unless hidden by user

Why Connection Degree Matters for Networking

Your connection degree affects:

Response rates: 1st-degree connections respond more often
Trust levels: Direct connections have implicit trust
Visibility: Your content reaches 1st-degree connections first
Warm introductions: 1st-degree connections can introduce you to their network

The 30,000 Connection Limit

LinkedIn limits 1st-degree connections to 30,000 people. According to LinkedIn's connection limits, this is a hard cap that applies to all accounts.

What Happens at 30,000

Once you reach 30,000:

You can't send or accept new connection requests
You can still receive followers
People can "Follow" you instead of connecting
Your existing connections remain intact

Alternatives to Connections

If you're approaching the limit:

Followers: Anyone can follow you without being connected
LinkedIn Newsletter: Subscribers get your content directly
Groups: Connect with communities without using connection slots
Events: Engage with attendees without formal connections

Building Quality 1st-Degree Connections

Not all connections are equal. For inbound lead generation, focus on quality over quantity.

Who to Connect With

Prioritize connections who:

Work in your target industry
Hold relevant job titles
Share professional interests
Can benefit from knowing you
You've met or interacted with

Who to Avoid Connecting With

Be selective about:

Random connection requests with no context
Obvious spam or sales profiles
Accounts with incomplete profiles
People outside your professional scope

The Connection Request Message

When sending requests, include a personalized note:

Good example:

"Hi Sarah, I enjoyed your article on B2B marketing strategies. I'm also focused on LinkedIn lead generation and would love to connect and share insights."

Bad example:

"Hi, I'd like to add you to my network."

Managing Your 1st-Degree Network

Keep your network valuable by managing it actively.

Organize with Tags

LinkedIn allows you to tag connections for easier management:

Go to "My Network"
Click "Connections"
Use the three dots menu on any connection
Add tags like "Client," "Prospect," or "Industry Peer"

Remove Connections

Sometimes it makes sense to disconnect:

Visit the person's profile
Click "More"
Select "Remove connection"

They won't be notified, and you can reconnect later if needed.

Export Your Connections

LinkedIn lets you download your connection data:

Go to Settings & Privacy
Select "Get a copy of your data"
Choose connections to export
Download the CSV file

1st-Degree Connections and Content Strategy

Your 1st-degree connections are your primary audience for LinkedIn content.

How Content Reaches Connections

When you post:

Your 1st-degree connections see it first
Their engagement (likes, comments) extends reach to 2nd-degree
Viral posts eventually reach 3rd-degree and beyond

Engagement Priority

To maximize visibility:

Respond to comments from 1st-degree connections quickly
Tag 1st-degree connections when relevant
Engage with their content to strengthen the relationship

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the 1st symbol mean on LinkedIn?

The "1st" symbol indicates a first-degree connection—someone you're directly connected with on LinkedIn. You've either accepted their connection request or they've accepted yours. First-degree connections can message each other freely without InMail.

Can 1st-degree connections see my email on LinkedIn?

By default, yes. Your email address is visible to 1st-degree connections unless you've changed your privacy settings. To hide your email, go to Settings & Privacy > Visibility > Who can see your email address, and select "Only me."

What's the difference between 1st and 2nd connections on LinkedIn?

1st-degree connections are people you're directly connected with—you can message them freely and see their contact information. 2nd-degree connections are connected to your 1st-degree connections (friends of friends)—you'd need to send a connection request or use InMail to message them.

How many 1st-degree connections can I have on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn limits 1st-degree connections to 30,000. Once you reach this limit, you can no longer send or accept connection requests. However, people can still follow you, and you retain all existing connections. Most professionals never reach this limit.

Can I message someone who isn't a 1st-degree connection?

You can message 2nd and 3rd-degree connections using LinkedIn InMail (requires Premium) or if you're in the same LinkedIn group or event. For free messaging, you'll need to send a connection request first and wait for them to accept before messaging directly.

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