The "3rd" icon on LinkedIn means that person is a third-degree connection—they're connected to someone who is connected to someone you know. There are two people between you and them in the connection chain. You're not directly connected, and you don't share any mutual connections.

This guide explains what 3rd-degree connections mean, how to reach them, and whether they're worth pursuing for networking purposes.

Key Takeaways

3rd degree = two steps removed: Connected to your 2nd-degree connections
No mutual connections shown: Unlike 2nd-degree, no direct mutual contacts appear
Limited messaging options: Need InMail or group membership to message
Still part of your network: Within LinkedIn's network radius
3rd+ means even further: More than three degrees of separation

Understanding Third-Degree Connections

According to LinkedIn's official network documentation, your network consists of multiple connection levels.

The Connection Chain

Here's how 3rd-degree connections work:

You → Your 1st-degree connection → Their 1st-degree → 3rd-degree person

Example:

You're connected to Sarah (1st degree)
Sarah is connected to Mike (your 2nd degree)
Mike is connected to Jennifer (your 3rd degree)

Jennifer is three "hops" away from you in the network.

3rd vs. 3rd+ Connections

LinkedIn distinguishes between two types of distant connections:

Type	Meaning
3rd	Exactly three degrees away
3rd+	More than three degrees away (4th, 5th, etc.)

With 3rd+ connections, you're so far removed that LinkedIn doesn't count the exact number of people between you.

What You Can See with 3rd-Degree Connections

Third-degree connections have limited visibility compared to closer connections.

Profile Information

When viewing a 3rd-degree connection's profile, you can typically see:

Name and headline
Current company and title
Profile photo
Summary (About section)
Public activity and posts
Shared groups or events

What You Can't See

With 3rd-degree connections, you usually can't access:

Their full connection list
Their contact information (email, phone)
Detailed mutual connection paths
Some profile sections they've restricted

No Mutual Connections Displayed

Unlike 2nd-degree connections where LinkedIn shows "X mutual connections," 3rd-degree profiles typically don't display any mutual connections because the people linking you are themselves not connected to each other.

How to Reach 3rd-Degree Connections

Contacting 3rd-degree connections requires different approaches than reaching closer connections.

Option 1: Send a Connection Request

You can send a connection request directly to 3rd-degree connections:

Visit their profile
Click "Connect"
Add a personalized note (highly recommended)
Wait for them to accept

Note: According to LinkedIn's connection limits, you're limited to 100-200 connection requests per week.

Option 2: Use LinkedIn InMail

With a LinkedIn Premium subscription, you can:

Send InMail messages directly
Bypass connection requirements
Include a subject line and detailed message

InMail allows direct communication without being connected first.

Option 3: Join Shared Groups

If you're both in the same LinkedIn group:

You can message them through the group
No InMail required
Group membership creates a connection point

Option 4: Attend the Same Event

LinkedIn Events provide another connection opportunity:

RSVP to events they're attending
Message attendees through the event
Connect naturally around shared interest

Option 5: Request an Introduction

Work backward through the network:

Identify the path (who connects you)
Ask your 1st-degree connection to introduce you
Or connect with the mutual 2nd-degree first

This "warm introduction" approach often has higher success rates.

Should You Connect with 3rd-Degree Connections?

Whether to pursue 3rd-degree connections depends on your goals.

When to Connect with 3rd-Degree Profiles

Reach out when:

They work in your target industry
They hold a job title you're targeting
They're in a company you're researching
They share professional interests
They post content you find valuable

When to Skip 3rd-Degree Connections

Consider skipping when:

You have no professional reason to connect
Their profile seems incomplete or inactive
There's no clear value exchange
You're just trying to increase connection count

Quality Over Quantity

According to networking research, successful LinkedIn users focus on meaningful connections rather than large numbers. A smaller network of engaged 1st-degree connections often outperforms a large network of distant contacts.

3rd-Degree Connections and Content Visibility

Your content reach extends to 3rd-degree connections, but with decreasing frequency.

How Content Spreads

Your post appears in 1st-degree feeds first
When 1st-degree connections engage, it reaches 2nd-degree
Continued engagement can push content to 3rd-degree
Viral posts eventually reach 3rd+ connections

Optimizing for Extended Reach

To reach 3rd-degree connections organically:

Create highly engaging content
Encourage comments over likes
Ask questions that spark discussion
Tag relevant 1st-degree connections
Post at optimal times for your industry

Learn more about content strategy for LinkedIn visibility.

Connection Degrees and LinkedIn Search

Connection degree affects your search results and visibility in searches.

Search Result Priority

When someone searches LinkedIn, results typically prioritize:

1st-degree connections
2nd-degree connections
3rd-degree connections
3rd+ connections

Profile Visibility in Search

Your profile appears more prominently to:

People closer in your network
People with shared keywords
People in the same industry
People in the same location

Search Filters by Connection Degree

LinkedIn allows filtering search results by connection degree:

Run a search
Click "All Filters"
Under "Connections," select desired degrees
Apply filters

This helps when specifically targeting new connections.

Inbound vs. Outbound Networking with 3rd-Degree Connections

For inbound lead generation, 3rd-degree connections require a different approach.

The Outbound Approach (Less Effective)

Traditional outbound targeting of 3rd-degree connections:

Cold connection requests
Unsolicited InMails
Low acceptance rates
Often feels spammy

The Inbound Approach (More Effective)

Attracting 3rd-degree connections to you:

Create valuable content they discover
Engage thoughtfully in shared spaces
Let them initiate the connection
Build authority that reaches beyond your network

When 3rd-degree connections reach out to you first, they're already interested and engaged—making the relationship start warmer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 3rd mean next to someone's name on LinkedIn?

The "3rd" indicator means they are a third-degree connection—connected to someone who is connected to someone you know. There are two people between you in the LinkedIn network. You cannot message them directly without InMail or group membership.

Can I message a 3rd-degree connection on LinkedIn?

Not directly with a free account. To message 3rd-degree connections, you need LinkedIn Premium (for InMail), membership in a shared LinkedIn group, or participation in the same LinkedIn event. Alternatively, send a connection request first and message after they accept.

What's the difference between 2nd and 3rd connections on LinkedIn?

2nd-degree connections share a mutual 1st-degree connection with you—they're friends of your friends. 3rd-degree connections are one step further removed—connected to your 2nd-degree connections. You can see mutual connections with 2nd-degree profiles but typically not with 3rd-degree.

Should I accept connection requests from 3rd-degree connections?

Evaluate each request individually. Accept if they work in your industry, share professional interests, or have a clear reason to connect. Decline if the profile seems spammy, incomplete, or unrelated to your professional goals. A personalized connection message is usually a good sign.

What does 3rd+ mean on LinkedIn?

The "3rd+" indicator means someone is more than three degrees away from you—there are at least three or more people between you in the connection chain. These are the most distant contacts in LinkedIn's network system, with the least visibility and communication options.

Want to attract 3rd-degree connections who come to you? Discover how ConnectSafely's inbound approach builds authority that extends beyond your immediate network.