How to See Outgoing Connections on LinkedIn

Ever sent a LinkedIn connection request into the void, wondering if it was seen, ignored, or just lost in a digital shuffle? You're not alone. Figuring out how to find that list of people you've reached out to isn't immediately obvious on the platform, but it’s a vital part of managing your professional network. This guide will show you exactly how to find your pending outgoing connections, explain why it matters, and give you actionable steps to refine your networking strategy.

Why Bother Checking Your Outgoing Connections?

Tracking your sent invitations isn't just about satisfying your curiosity. It’s a strategic move that directly impacts your networking effectiveness, brand perception, and even your account's standing with LinkedIn. Here's a closer look at why this simple task deserves a spot in your routine.

It's Good Networking Hygiene

Think of your pending requests as open loops. Leaving hundreds of them unanswered for months or years can look a bit messy. It suggests you're either using a "spray and pray" approach to networking, where you send requests indiscriminately, or that the people you're targeting aren't a good fit. Regularly reviewing and cleaning up this list shows you are intentional about who you connect with. It helps you focus your limited connection "slots" on people who are active and likely to engage.

You Can Understand Your Acceptance Rate

If you see a long list of pending requests stacking up week after week, it’s not bad luck - it's data. This list is a direct feedback mechanism on your outreach strategy. Are your connection messages compelling? Are you targeting people who have a reason to connect with you? A low acceptance rate is a clear sign that you need to rethink your approach. Maybe your personalized notes are coming off as too generic, or perhaps you're reaching out to individuals in industries that aren't relevant to your goals.

You Can Avoid Hitting LinkedIn's Limits

LinkedIn has a weekly invitation limit - which tends to hover around 100 requests per week, though it can vary by account. The platform wants to encourage meaningful connections, not spam. Having a large number of unanswered pending invitations can signal to LinkedIn's algorithm that you're making low-quality requests. This can lead to temporary restrictions on your ability to send more invitations. By withdrawing old, unanswered requests, you demonstrate that you are managing your outreach responsibly, which can help keep your account in good standing.

How to See Outgoing Connections on LinkedIn (Desktop Guide)

Finding your sent connection requests on the desktop version of LinkedIn takes just a few clicks once you know where to look. Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Navigate to the “My Network” tab in the main navigation bar at the top of your screen. This is where you manage everything related to your connections.
2. Near the top of the "My Network" page, you'll see a box labeled "Invitations." Click on “See all” to go to your invitations management page.
3. By default, you’ll land on the "Received" tab, showing invitations people have sent to you. Right next to it, click on the “Sent” tab.

That's it! You are now looking at a complete list of all your pending outgoing connection requests. For each one, you’ll see the person's name, their headline, and how long ago you sent the request (e.g., "1 week ago"). To the right of each name, you’ll see a “Withdraw” button. Clicking this will instantly cancel the request, and the other person will not be notified.

How to Find Sent Connection Requests on the LinkedIn Mobile App

Checking your outgoing requests on the go is just as easy. The steps are slightly different on the mobile app for iOS and Android, but the principle is the same.

1. Open the LinkedIn app and tap on the “My Network” icon in the bottom navigation bar.
2. At the top of the "My Network" screen, tap on “Invitations.”
3. Just like on the desktop site, the app will default to showing you "Received" invitations. Tap on the “Sent” tab at the top of the screen to switch views.

You’ll now see your full list of pending requests. You can scroll through them to see who hasn't accepted and for how long. The "Withdraw" button is right there next to each name, allowing you to clean up your list from anywhere.

What to Do With This Information: A Strategy for Managing Pending Requests

Finding the list is the first step. The real value comes from what you do with that information. Don't just look at it - use it to become a more effective networker. Here’s how.

1. Do a Regular "Spring Clean"

Make a habit of checking your sent requests list once a month. As a rule of thumb, if a request has been pending for more than a month, it's safe to withdraw it. The person has either overlooked it, is no longer active on LinkedIn, or isn't interested in connecting. There’s no harm in withdrawing the request. It declutters your "pending" list and frees up a mental slot, allowing you to focus your networking energy elsewhere. You aren't penalized for withdrawing a request, and it keeps your outreach efforts feeling fresh and current.

2. Analyze and Refine Your Outreach Strategy

Treat your pending list as a report card for your connection requests. If the list is long and full of your ideal prospects, ask yourself some hard questions:

• Am I personalizing every request? A generic request is easy to ignore. A message that mentions a shared connection, a piece of content they created, or a common interest stands out.
  Bad Example: "Hi Jane, I'd like to join your LinkedIn network."
  Good Example: "Hi Jane, your recent post on content marketing funnels was fantastic. The point you made about top-of-funnel analytics completely changed how I'm approaching my next campaign. I'd love to connect and follow your work."
• Is my request about them or me? Frame your connection request around the value they bring or your genuine interest in their work. Avoid making an immediate "ask," such as asking for a job or to pitch your product. Networking is about building a relationship first.
• Am I targeting the right people? Ensure you have a valid reason for connecting. Are they in the same industry? Could you genuinely provide value to each other? Reaching out to random people is rarely effective.

3. Be Mindful of How People Use LinkedIn

Not everyone uses LinkedIn the same way. Some power users are on it daily, while many professionals only log in once every few weeks or months. A request pending for two weeks might not mean they've ignored you, it could just mean they haven't logged in. That's why waiting around a month before withdrawing is a good, patient approach. Forgetting about the request and just focusing on new, meaningful outreach is often the best mindset to have.

What If You Can't Withdraw a Connection Request?

Occasionally, you might run into a situation where a request you sent seems to have vanished or doesn’t give you the option to withdraw. There are a few reasons this might happen:

• The Person "Ignored" It: LinkedIn gives users two choices when they don't want to accept a request: an "Ignore" button or a plain old "X." Sometimes, hitting "Ignore" removes the invitation from their queue without formally "rejecting" it. This can sometimes also remove it from your pending list.
• Their Account Was Deactivated: If someone closes their LinkedIn account, the pending request will disappear along with it.
• The User Blocked You: It's not common, but if a user blocks you after receiving your request, you will no longer be able to see their profile or the pending invitation.
• A Temporary Glitch: Like any platform, LinkedIn can have temporary glitches. If you notice strange behavior, try logging out and back in or checking again later.

Final Thoughts

Regularly reviewing your outgoing LinkedIn connections is a simple yet powerful habit for better networking. It provides direct feedback on your outreach strategy, keeps your account in good standing, and ensures you're focused on building a network of active, engaged professionals who are actually relevant to your career or business goals.

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