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Guide · 5 min read

Clean up your LinkedIn® network without deleting anyone

A long list hides the people who matter. Sort your connections into three groups in about ten minutes, and see where to spend your time.

Updated 1 November 2026

01Why

A big list hides the people who matter

Hundreds of names, a handful of conversations. The aim is to see who is worth your time.

  • You find the right person faster
  • You stop spending time on contacts that do not matter right now
  • You notice people you have lost touch with
  • You decide on purpose, not by accident

02Three groups

Close, warm and wide

The same three circles as in the follow-up guide. Each gets its own rhythm.

  • Close circle

    People you work with, or want to work with soon. A short note every few weeks.

  • Warm circle

    People you value and rarely see. A light touch every two or three months.

  • Wide circle

    Everyone else. Nothing to do until you have a real reason.

03Steps

Sort your network in ten minutes

Six steps. You can stop after any of them and still be ahead.

  1. 1

    Get your connections

    Download the file LinkedIn® lets you download. The import guide shows where to click.

  2. 2

    Pick one goal

    What do you want from your network in the next three months? Clients, a job, partners?

  3. 3

    Mark your close circle

    Choose the handful of people who matter most for that goal.

  4. 4

    Mark your warm circle

    Add the people you would be glad to hear from, and worth a message soon.

  5. 5

    Leave the rest

    Everyone else stays in the wide circle. You do not need to do anything with them.

  6. 6

    Set a weekly rhythm

    Three small moves a week keep the close and warm circles alive.

04Removing

Should you remove anyone?

It is optional, and most people never need to.

  • Remove accounts that look fake or send you unwanted messages
  • Leave people who are quiet but real: situations change
  • Use LinkedIn®'s own pages and Help for the current steps. TapForNetwork never changes anything on LinkedIn®

05Mistakes

What to avoid

Cleaning up should save time, not eat a weekend.

  • Deleting people because you do not talk often
  • Sorting without a goal, so everyone looks equally important
  • Spending a whole weekend on it
  • Doing it once and never looking again

Questions

Should I remove inactive connections?
Not necessarily. Someone who is quiet is not useless: people change roles and needs. Remove accounts that look fake or send unwanted messages, and leave the rest.
How often should I review my network?
A short look every few months is enough. Your close circle changes with your goals, and a fresh file shows who joined.
Does TapForNetwork delete or change my connections on LinkedIn®?
No. It has no access to your LinkedIn® account and never asks for your password. It works from the file you download and upload, and everything stays in your own private workspace.
Where do I get the file with my connections?
From LinkedIn®'s own download page. The guide on getting your LinkedIn® data shows the direct link and each click.

See who matters for your goal

Import your connections, pick a goal, and get explained next steps for the people who fit it.

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