1st, 2nd, and 3rd-Degree Connections on LinkedIn Explained (+ Simulator)

Nine out of ten B2B buyers say they trust a mutual connection over any marketing asset. Miss one degree, and you shrink your reachable market. That’s a revenue gap you can’t afford!

Knowing exactly what are 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree connections on LinkedIn is the shortest path to predictable pipeline and sharper Social Selling campaigns. Treat each degree like a data layer—filter, segment, and you turn random profiles into a warm prospect map.

Linkedin Degree Connections at Glance

1st-Degree Connections on Linkedin

Definition

• 1st-degree connections are people who accepted your connection request—or vice versa. You're part of the same network. This is your inner LinkedIn circle.

Example

→ ⚙️ You're connected to Sophie, a Head of Sales at a SaaS company. You both can see everything: each other's posts, comments, profile info, and you can message anytime.

How to Engage Them

→ Share relevant updates and tag them in comments

→ Use LinkedIn DMs to nurture relationships or pitch directly

→ Add notes, reminders, or deal stages using your CRM

How to manage them within your CRM?

1. Start your free trial of folk CRM
2. Download folkX
3. Capture them using folkX Chrome extension
4. Enrich their data automatically in folk CRM (job, email address, etc.)
5. Add them to a custom pipeline, e.g.: Warm Nurturing.

2nd-Degree Connections on Linkedin

Definition

→ ⚙️ 2nd-degree connections are one step away—you share at least one mutual connection. You can see their full profile and engage, but you're not connected yet.

Example

→ Sophie (your 1st-degree) is connected to Maxime, the Revenue Ops lead at another SaaS. You’re not connected to Maxime, but you can access his full profile and send an InMail or ask Sophie for an intro.

How to Engage with 2nd degree connections on Lnkedin?

• Send a personalized connection request referencing the mutual contact
• Use InMail for a targeted pitch
• Ask your shared connection to introduce you
• Monitor their content and engage consistently to increase visibility

3rd-Degree Connections on LinkedIn

Definition

• 3rd-degree connections are two steps removed. You don’t share a direct contact. You’ll see only limited profile info, and reaching out requires InMail or content-based engagement.

Example

→ ⚙️ Maxime is connected to Emma, a CMO you’ve never interacted with. Her profile is visible but restricted. You can't message or connect without context, and she likely won’t see your content.

How to Engage with 3rd degree connections on LinkedIn?

• Send an InMail with a compelling reason to connect
• Engage with mutual groups or shared content
• Expand your 1st- and 2nd-degree network in that niche to surface their content
• Run LinkedIn Ads targeted to third-degree segments

Conclusion

Each LinkedIn connection layer plays a role in your social selling strategy.

• 1st-degree is your relationship hub
• 2nd-degree is your warm outbound playground
• 3rd-degree is your awareness zone

Mastering how to track, enrich, and manage these degrees gives your team a competitive edge.