How to Connect with 3rd Connections on LinkedIn

Seeing the small ‘3rd’ icon next to a name on LinkedIn can feel like hitting a digital brick wall, often because the direct Connect button is nowhere to be found. You’ve found the perfect person to reach out to - a potential client, a future mentor, an expert in your field - but they're just out of immediate reach. This guide breaks down that wall, giving you several powerful and practical strategies to successfully connect with those valuable 3rd-degree connections and turn them into meaningful professional relationships.

First, a Quick Refresher: What are LinkedIn Connection Degrees?

Before diving into the "how," let's quickly clarify what these connection levels mean. Understanding the system helps you understand why some strategies work better than others.

• 1st-Degree Connections: These are the people you are directly connected to. You've either accepted their invitation or they've accepted yours. They are your immediate network, and you can message them directly through LinkedIn.
• 2nd-Degree Connections: These are the people connected to your 1st-degree connections. In other words, you have at least one mutual connection. You can send them a connection request with a personalized note, but you can’t message them directly until they accept.
• 3rd-Degree Connections (or 3rd+): These are the people connected to your 2nd-degree connections. You don’t share any direct connections with them, which is why LinkedIn often hides the "Connect" button. It’s their way of keeping the network based on existing relationships.

For most professionals, the highest-value opportunities often lie with 2nd and 3rd-degree connections. They represent the growth of your network beyond your immediate circle.

The Challenge: When the 'Connect' Button Disappears

So, you’ve landed on the profile of a 3rd-degree connection, and there's no "Connect" button. Instead, you might see "Message" (which usually requires InMail, a premium feature) or just the "Follow" button. This happens because you don’t have a shared connection to bridge the gap. LinkedIn’s algorithm is essentially telling you, "You're too far removed from this person to send a cold connection request."

Frustrating, right? Don't worry. This is where a little strategic thinking comes in. Here are the most effective methods to get around this limitation and make that connection.

Method 1: The Warm Introduction via a Mutual Connection

This is the gold standard of networking, both online and off. An introduction from a trusted mutual contact is the most powerful way to connect with almost anyone. While you don't have a direct mutual connection, you are connected to people who are connected to them.

How to Find the Bridge Connection:

1. Navigate to the profile of your target 3rd-degree connection.
2. Look for the section showing their connections. Even though you can't see all of them, LinkedIn often highlights mutual connections you have with the people between you two. On the person’s profile highlight section (right below their name and headline), it often lists shared connections with your 1st-degree network.
3. This highlights your "point of entry." You've found the 2nd-degree connection who can introduce you.

How to Ask for the Introduction:

Once you’ve identified your go-between, reach out to them with a clear, concise, and courteous message. Never just say, “Can you introduce me to Jane Doe?” Make it easy for them to say yes by explaining the "why" and providing a message they can easily forward.

Here’s a simple template you can adapt:

“Hi [Mutual Connection's Name],

Hope you’re doing well! I saw that you're connected to [3rd-Degree Contact's Name] from [Their Company]. I’ve been following their work in [their industry/field] and I'm really impressed with [mention something specific, like a project, an article, or a recent accomplishment].

I’m looking to connect with a few experts in this space to [your goal - e.g., 'learn more about sustainable tech,' or 'discuss potential partnerships for B2B marketers']. Would you be open to making a brief email or LinkedIn introduction? I’ve written a short blurb below you could use to make it easy for you.

Thanks a ton,
[Your Name]”

This approach transforms a cold outreach into a warm, trusted introduction. It has a much higher success rate because it’s based on an existing relationship.

Method 2: Use Shared LinkedIn Groups to Your Advantage

LinkedIn Groups are one of the most underrated networking tools on the platform. When you join the same group as someone else, LinkedIn starts treating you more like a 2nd-degree connection, even if you’re technically 3rd-degree. Often, this makes the "Connect" button magically reappear.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Group Method:

1. Find Their Groups: Go to your target connection’s profile and scroll all the way to the bottom to the “Interests” section. Here, you'll see any public groups they are a part of.
2. Join a Relevant Group: Find a group that aligns with your profession or interests and click “Join.” Some groups grant instant access, while others may require admin approval.
3. Find Them Within the Group: Once you're in, navigate to the group's page and click on the member list (e.g., "See all" next to the member count).
4. Connect from the Member List: Search for the person’s name within the member list. When you find them, you'll almost always see a direct "Connect" button next to their name.

When you send a request using this method, personalize it by mentioning your shared group membership. It creates immediate common ground.

Personalized request example:

“Hi Jane, I saw we’re both members of the ‘SaaS Marketers United’ group. Your post last month about new PLG strategies was spot on. I’d love to connect and follow your insights here on LinkedIn.”

Method 3: Play the Long Game with the "Follow" First Strategy

If you’re not in a rush, a patient and organic approach can be incredibly effective. Instead of immediately looking for a way to connect, start by simply following them.

What This Does:

• Their content (articles, posts, comments) will start appearing in your feed.
• It gives you an opportunity to understand what they care about and what topics they engage with.

How to Turn a Follow Into a Connection:

1. Follow them. It's a low-commitment action that gets you on their radar without seeming pushy.
2. Engage with their content thoughtfully. This is the most important step. Don’t just "like" their posts. Leave meaningful, insightful comments that add to the conversation. Ask intelligent questions. Agree, and offer a supporting perspective. This builds name recognition. After seeing your name pop up with thoughtful comments a few times, you're no longer a complete stranger.
3. Send the connection request. After a week or two of genuine engagement, their profile page may now show you the "Connect" button. Even if it doesn’t, you have a much warmer reason to use one of the other methods.

Your connection request note can now reference your recent interactions:

“Hi John, I’ve really been enjoying your content on product management. Your advice on roadmap prioritization last week was particularly helpful for my team. Would love to connect and stay in the loop.”

Method 4: The Paid Route - LinkedIn Premium and Sales Navigator

Naturally, LinkedIn offers a paid path to bypass these limitations. If connecting with 3rd-degree prospects is a core part of your job (e.g., sales, recruiting, business development), investing in a premium subscription is often worth it.

InMail Messages:

LinkedIn Premium accounts (including Premium Business, Sales Navigator, and Recruiter Lite) come with a monthly allowance of InMail credits. An InMail is essentially a private message you can send to almost any LinkedIn member, regardless of your connection level.

Best practices for writing an InMail:

• Keep it short and to the point. People ignore walls of text.
• Make it about them, not you. Start with a reference to their work, a recent accomplishment, or their company.
• Have a clear "ask" or reason. What do you want? Don't be vague. (e.g., "I'd love to ask two quick questions about your experience at Acme Corp" is better than "Let's connect.")
• Have an intriguing subject line. Instead of "Quick Question," try something like "Question about your post on AI in fintech."

Method 5: A Few Other Creative Workarounds

If the above methods don’t work, or if you want to try a quicker path, here are a few other tricks that can sometimes reveal the "Connect" button.

Check the Mobile App

The LinkedIn mobile app can sometimes behave differently than the desktop site. For reasons known only to LinkedIn's engineers, the app occasionally displays a "Connect" button on a 3rd-degree profile when the desktop version doesn't. Before you give up, always pull up their profile on your phone to double-check.

Find Them a Different Way

Instead of going directly to their profile, try finding them through other pages on LinkedIn. For example:

• Go to their company’s LinkedIn page, click on the "People" tab, and search for their name among the employees. Connecting from this list often works.
• Find a post or article where they have left a comment. Clicking their name from the comment section can sometimes take you to a version of their profile where the "Connect" button is active.

Final Thoughts

Running into a 3rd-degree connection on LinkedIn isn’t a dead end - it's just a prompt to be a bit more strategic. By leveraging shared connections, joining common groups, or playing the long game with engagement, you can almost always find a path to connect with the people who matter most to your career. The key is to always lead with value and personalization.

As you build a powerful network with these strategies, your own public presence becomes your number one asset. Regularly sharing quality content and insights on LinkedIn shifts you from a "requester" to a "respected peer," making others want to join your network. At Postbase, we believe this consistency is vital, so we built a social media tool that makes it simple to plan, schedule, and publish great content across all your platforms. By making your social management effortless, we help ensure that when you send that next connection request, your active and professional profile speaks for itself.