Do you add everyone that wants to connect on LinkedIn?

I am an entrepreneur as well as a consultant/business troubleshooter and am always looking for opportunities.

With this in mind, I am happy to accept anyone who requests a link. If it subsequently turns out that they are scamming, not a contact that I desire, etc. then I remove them.

I have found most online networks very useful for, well... networking. My personal view is that I feel it rather cavalier to simply reject someone because you may never have heard of them, or because they do not have a huge online presence... or because they do not “check out”.

If you met someone at a business conference that you had never seen or heard of before, would you simply turn and ignore them if they tried to introduce themselves to you? Of course not, so why would you “virtually” do this.

If you are worried about reputation, I would feel it is more likely to be tarnished by rejecting potential requests than by accepting them and then dropping them if you feel that they are inappropriate.

I would feel very disgruntled from a professional view if I approached any business and they did not reply to me, or rejected me because I was not already known to them, or did not pass an arbitrary “check out” process that i was not even aware of... I would probably go elsewhere and not look back.

My view of small businesses, even those invisible online, is that they are potential big business... Just as an acorn may one day become an oak.

I do not feel that I would ever attempt to establish credentials before accepting a request as I may fail to do so correctly and may then miss a very good opportunity... I would see that as a self-inflicted loss and I really do try to avoid those.

I hope that my post gives a slightly different perspective...

If you request a link with me, wherever you find me on the internet, I will accept you without question and will be happy to discuss business...

I look forward to hearing from you.

Peter Kember brings up a point I didn't address in my answer and I think it deserves punctuating here.... rejecting an invitation with an "I don't know him/her" is a drastic step. I had it done to me early on in my use of LI even with people I did business with in prior years (I work hard these days to be more memorable). I can say from experience rejecting or being rejected sucks and could do more harm than good.

I find it far less damaging to simply delete or ignore an invitation that I've otherwise decided to reject. A formal rejection is tantamount to reporting the sender of an invitation as a "spammer"... and that's personally damaging and a problem for many reasons...

And as others have mentioned, there is always a benefit to taking the high road and accepting an invite and deleting it later if you don't see kismet in the connection.

I wrote a book to help convince those that only connect on LinkedIn with people they know that there is a whole potential other world out there that could help you reach your networking goals. As Thomas Power, the CEO of ecademy says, "The value in networking is in networking outside of your network." If you only want to connect with people you know, that's certainly one way of utilizing LinkedIn, but does it allow you to truly maximize the platform?

So it all comes down to what your objective is in being on LinkedIn and does becoming more of an open or a closed networker serve your purpose. If you truly want to get found by a larger audience as part of an Inbound Marketing strategy, connecting with more people will allow you to show up in more search results as a 2nd instead of a 3rd or higher degree contact, making it easier for people to contact you. The same concept is true if you are searching for others.

On the other hand, if you only want to keep in touch with old colleagues on LinkedIn, there is no need to connect outside of your network.

I myself am an Open Networker, and there is some history why this is the case. In the early days of the LinkedIn search algorithm, those with the most connections appeared on top for any given search term. That has obviously changed, but even until recently the more connections you had the more visibility you had when you did searches. That has changed as well. So whether you are connected to someone, can "follow" them, or you are a member of the same Group, the only advantage to being connected is being able to send direct communication (if you are not a member of the same Group) or to assist in Introductions via the Search scenario I illustrated above.

Currently, I still will accept anyone's invite because you never know when you might be able to help each other, but I will only accept that person if they are "real": Real name, real photo, real bio info on their profile, etc. It is unfortunate that over the last year the Internet Marketers have hijacked the Open Networker movement to gather large lists of email addresses to market and opt you in to all sorts of mailing lists.

Sorry for the long answer, but like I said, it comes down to your objective and in seeing LinkedIn as a potential business tool that should be utilized in alignment with your objective.

Depends on what you are trying to achieve with Linkedin. I use Linkedin in different way to the mass. It allows me to:

1. find who is who in a company
2. understand his/her career history
3. and most importantly verify his email address

(3) above is the biggest value. In a nutshell, Linkedin is an email address verification service.

I have an open door policy of connecting with anyone who want to connect with me - on any social network. I don't introduce one to another, unless I know both parties well. With (3), I no longer need introductions.

For me, LinkedIn is 'just another network', as COO of WeCanDo.BIZ, the most important business network in the entire world ever is our own (even if it is by no means the largest.) LinkedIn is nothing special, however large it is and I have no interest in being precious about who I connect with there.

I regard online networking with an inclusive 'everyone' mindset. And that may go against what you may hear or read me saying - that networking is not a numbers game. You need to be able to do something with those connections for them to be meaningful, however, I do not regard myself as arrogant enough to say no to someone who reaches out for whatever reason.

Yes, I get the odd ones who I can't work out but if they don't spam me, then no problem. I get a vast amount of spam each day and I have become so used to dealing with it that it just isn't an issue.

I realise this doesn't necessarily gel with the other answers but I truly believe in maverick behaviour driving business growth.

And by the way, if you want to connect with me anywhere you choose....please do, you will be welcome and I will happily enter into discourse.

The biggest realization I have made in the past 5+ years of networking is that you can never be sure who can help you (even in the present, much less in the future), because you cannot be sure who they are connected to or what they know.

I have had the privilege of receiving assistance for myself, my friends and my colleagues by way of people that I would never have thought to ask because they didn't otherwise *seem* to have/know what I needed. And, in most cases, you cannot predict your future needs, so you cannot necessarily determine in advance who you need to be connected to in order to have those needs addressed.

Also, the people I know the best have proven to be the least able to assist for certain major requests -- not because they were unhelpful or lack knowledge, but because we already share the same circles, and thus already have access to those same sources.

Network diversity has paid off for me big time. That said, as long as you are comfortable with the strategy you have pursued for your network, and it serves your purposes, you're doing fine. Don't feel compelled to embrace a different strategy if what you're doing is working for you.

-ASB: http://about.me/Andrew.S.Baker

If I know the person I connect and or if they have reached out through a group, on twitter or by personal email. Being a more open networker I have definitely met some people I might not have otherwise

How often have you been at a meeting or event and been introduced to somoeone or introduced yourself? Each time that happens you get a few minutes to sort that person into one of the clusters you reserve for new acquaintances. You can label them a contact and add to that a positive neutral or negative rating. A positive contact may be one that shares some industry background or a capability you need to know about. A neutral contact may be someone you are not yet sure of. I reserve the negative rating for those shark-like networkers that are always trying to sell you something.

But after a few minutes of conversation you may find that this is a person you connect with. It may be someone you want to stay linked to over time.

What does all that have to do with the question at hand? If you do not engage you will never know the value of that contact. The minimal profile and other indicators cited above are all good advice BUT if you have looked over the profile and you are still not sure, err on the side of meeting someone new. You never know when that simple, "Sure, why not?" will lead to a marvelous bond between two people that otherwise would not have begun.

Essentially same answer as Trevor and Richard. I use LinkedIn pretty extensively, and the entire point and value of the platform is in being able to leverage and connect relationships with people you KNOW. If you start connecting with those you don't know - it actually has negative value - at least in how I use it.

I do sometimes make exceptions if there's a good reason (potential business deal, etc...) but only after I do a pretty through check on who the requestor is and why they want to 'Link'.

ChrisB, you and I are the odd ones here. The others are all professionals, with strategies for everything. You and I - we just do it (assume I guessed you right!) - so Linkedin is just a tool of a bagful of many tools

LinkedIn is the most benign of networks to me. If I don't know them off the top of my head, I a do brief (very brief) background check and if the person works for a company that does business with retail tech (my field) or works for a prior employer, I will accept the request. I really meet a lot of people, and I don't have the greatest memory, so I'll assume the best, rather than the worst.

What really matters to me is when someone asks for a recommendation or an introduction. That I will not do unless I really do know the person and have worked for/with/over them.

Not sure I can add much here, but I suppose as is the case with any tool, only the user knows what they intend to use it for. Don't we all know a few mechanically inept people who have enviable tool collections they will never use?

I find with some people, LinkedIn is a trophy wall full of heads they bagged on various hunting trips. So I always wonder what good a "head hunter" does for the hunted. The whole LION thing is odd to me. Building contacts without context seems like sport or hobby... although I admit I could be missing the point. Business has often been called "a full contact sport"..

I've got almost 800 contacts in LI, but they almost without exception, are comprised of people I've done business with over a 30 year career, or people I've been introduced to tangentially by those others... for me, it's mostly the first 2 or 3 degrees of folks I've crossed paths with and decided to stay in touch with. And as a geek, I admit I was a very early adopter so time and momentum have done their part to build my base.

As others have mentioned, I rarely accept unsolicited invitations unless I perceive a mutual benefit. And I feel an obligation to filter solicitors on behalf of my contacts as I'd hope they'd do for me. But tell me how I can help you and I'll always be ready to try.

We're seeing some individuality and personal discretion start to come out in this thread ~ a natural byproduct of a stimulating discussion topic.

♦ I love Christopher's hunting metaphor.

♦ I appreciate Andrew’s concept of building a LinkedIn network vertically and horizontally. There is depth and dimension to a Directory of Connections. I also share his pining for LinkedIn to give us the ability to prioritize contacts.

♦ I agree with Tom in accepting invitations where it’s not just personalization ~ but personalization that really comes across as genuine.

♦ I also get where Chris is coming from when he says networking is vital for business. The ability to prosper and sustain is predicated on how we manage and leverage our professional relationships.

Moral of the story: Build your online network vigorously and purposefully; you never know when you’re going to need it.

Hakan - I totally disagree with that view. There is absolutely nothing special about LinkedIn. It is not some kind of holy relic that needs to be treated with reverence. It is 'just another network' as I keep saying. It is not a reflection of your 'inner professional being'.

The only 'endorsement' I am giving someone connected to me on LI is 'I am connected with this person on LI' unless I write a recommendation; which I do rarely and selectively (and there is the difference!)

There is a huge underground industry on LI in writing bogus recommendations which rather undermines the pseudo-spiritual value some seem to attribute to it.

I am not going to advertise, but on our site, you may ONLY endorse a supplier and the endorsement only becomes visible if both parties agree. We don't even need to police it because it just isn't abused. That is called trust!

I just don't get why everyone is being so reverential! Break some moulds guys.

I never accept an invitation from someone I can never remember meeting and/or who is so lazy that they can't even bother to craft a personalised invitation. Just say no to the boiler plate "I add like to add you to my network..." requests.

And I have no compunction in rejecting those requests with an "I don't know him/her". All it takes is 30 seconds to do a bit of research and craft a personalised message that has some chance of being interesting or relevant to your target!

I really appreciate all of the feedback and discussion around this topic! I am an open networker on LinkedIn but only connect with people that I believe there is some mutual value in. http://www.linkedin.com/in/kokasexton

I am not consumed with the number of connections I have but I enjoy having a large group of people that I can see updates from. Since I consume a lot of information in a day, my LinkedIn network tends to provide a much more professional level of links and news that I would be interested in.

This question spurred a blog post about the same subject:
http://blog.insideview.com/2011/01/27/why-would-i-connect-with-you-on-linkedin/

The only criteria I use is viewing your activity. Whether it be your posting in groups, profile updates, answer questions or just connecting with interesting people. Activity is what I follow. My connections create the direction(s) I follow. I have my focus, but my connections activity opens my eyes to un-tapped opportunities I would normally overlook.

I gather a trusted community of LinkedIn connections around me---a close group of friends and colleagues. I must have already met and gotten to know them or already do business with them. That is my policy.

If I am approached to connect to someone I am unsure of, I also look at their profile and determine if there is anything mutually interesting for us.

If so, I try to work out a phone call or meeting. If not, I send them an email (not through LinkedIn) that says:

"Sorry.

It’s my policy to link to people I have met and gotten to know, or do business with. I am certain our connection does not qualify; accordingly, I will respectfully decline."

Then I click "Ignore" in Linkedin.

I want to be professional, honorable and concise and I have been told this email does just that.

Hope that helps others.

For me, "friends" for the most part are just people I haven't met yet. That doesn't mean that I just accept anyone. Certain occupations put me off, and I won't connect with people who are associated with them. For example, I don't want those who sell tobacco products, or promote gambling or the adult industry in my network. I also shy away from those whose profiles are so incomplete that I can't make an educated determination. I welcome everyone else.

I don't do this because I think that I'll be able to sell to them, which is the criterion that many networkers use; instead, I connect because I just never know when I might come across someone whose products or services will be needed by someone I know. For example, when a recruiter asks to connect, I will immediately write back to see if they have any actual jobs for which they need applicants. I know a couple of very talented people who are looking, and I'm happy to make the introduction with them as long as they're not just filling up their Rolodex.

Here is another way to think about building your network of Linkedin professionals. Imagine your "network" as a sum total of your business reputation: who you are or want to be perceived as.

Now, for every request ask yourself "does this person increase my professional profile by being connected to me or do they dilute my reputation?"

This can be very inclusive but still give you some room to discriminate. Does a real estate broker in Florida add or detract? How about a computer services person in Ireland who is obviously going to sell to you? Or, someone in the adult entertainment business with an alluring photo?

I don't have a strategy and would say that I am still learning how to use LinkedIn, however, I wouldn't automatically add anyone who asked, though am not as restrictive as some.

If I don't know the connection I look at their profile and who we are mutually connected to. Is this a relationship that may be useful to me in the future, not as a client but as a potential supplier or partner, even an educator as I am constantly trying to increase my knowledge in order to supply a better service to my clients.

I probably hear more mixed opinions on how to use LinkedIn than I do for any other networking platform. I do however believe that LinkedIn is more my professional image than somewhere like Twitter, where I use it on a more social level.

I am trying to stay open minded about LinkedIn, but one thing I will say is that I probably won't connect with someone if I don't know them and their profile is incomplete.

I primarily use LinkedIn to connect to professional groups in my field. This gives me a daily digest of all who are active participants, and allows me to get familiar with many of the names. When anyone from my groups, who participate sends a connect request, I normally accept.

On the flip side, this also gives me an idea of notable people I'd like to send a connect request to.

So I restrict my connections to people who are actively participating in my field, and so far it hasn't resulted in any problems.

As far as spammers go, 9 times out of 10 these approach me using an email address not connected to my LinkedIn account, so it's easy to dismiss them.

LinkedIn is for business, Facebook is for friends. I connect only with people I know and can introduce (with rare exceptions) for business purposes. I see no value in being a LION. When invited by strangers, I review their profile and who we have in common. If I feel there may be mutual benefit in connecting, I reply to the invitation and suggest a phone call or meeting (if they are local). When I connect with someone who blocks their connections, I ask why. If they reply that they have had a bad experience or want to protect their network from competitors, I ask why they connect such folks, and suggest that they disconnect from anyone they don't trust, or wouldn't introduce. In most cases, when they still won't unblock their connections, I disconnect from them.

I have outlined what I call the “Connection Continuum” for LinkedIn network building. On the one side of the bar, I classify as completely OPEN (those who will connect with anyone, anytime for any reason); on the other is completely CLOSED (those who are reserved and guarded and will only connect with those they know well). Most people do have a strict protocol in connecting with others and lie somewhere towards one side; some tend toward the middle (neutral) and take it on a case-by-case basis. Now that more and more people are waking up to the potential of LinkedIn as a relationship accelerator, they may have relaxed their stance and are willing to take the leap of faith in connecting with those they don’t know.

I, too, have my ground rules. I am acutely aware that people reach out to me in the spirit of networking to connect and I am – more often than not –willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. I vet people on their background and depth and breadth of current online content. If I perceive that connecting will be good for both parties – surely, I will pull the trigger. If not, or if something just doesn’t seem right, I will ignore.

The same holds true for the reciprocal event. After I have done my homework on someone, and concluded that connecting on LinkedIn would be of mutual benefit, I will reach out diplomatically and ask for permission to send an invitation. I practice Linkedetiquette™ at all times and respect the sensitivities of others in social networking.

That said, I would be delighted to connect with my fellow Focus experts.

I, too, look at a person's profile before connecting. In some cases it is relatively clear that the person is only looking for a customer. Other times it is not as clear. What I do if I think there is a chance they are only after a customer is to send them a message before accepting an invitation. I simply state that if they are looking for a potential customer, I am the wrong person. I add that I would be happy to connect as long as there is no sales pitch. In the majority of cases, the request to connect is withdrawn. If I connect with someone that later tries to sell me products or services, I simply delete their connection.

While I don't necessarily accept every single connection request that comes my way on LinkedIn, and while I certainly appreciate and respect the approach that others have for building a network, I see the value of networking as being able to help others, and being able to obtain help from others.

For my purposes, a network that is too narrow (only contains people who do what I do), is not that useful. It must be broad as well as deep.

I'l agree that a network is not simply a number collection, but a network of 50 close colleagues and associates, is only going to be able to open a certain number of doors, vs a network of 200 or 2000 individuals -- only some of which do exactly what I do.

(One thing that I still think that LinkedIn should add, is a tiered system that more accurately reflects how we interact with individuals, even in business. This flat network concept with everyone at the same tier is neither efficient nor accurate.)

In the 5+ years that I have building my network, I have found significant value not only from people I am directly connected to, but more so from their connections, and I have been able to tap into resources that I would never have even considered asking my connections about, as I had no way of knowing that these connections were there.

This is less possible in a homogeneous network, but each person is free to build the network that suits their objectives. I prefer mine broad, and I try to build relationships over time so that I know my connections and can keep up with them.

And I try to ensure that the relationship is mutually beneficial...

You can see my full networking strategy here: http://Home.ASBzone.com/ASB/archive/2009/10/11/why-won-t-you-accept-my-networ...

-ASB: http://about.me/Andrew.S.Baker

I don't accept connections to those I have no link to whatsoever. I can be a bit flexible, as others have said, with colleagues who I may not know well but have a work, project or interest connection with. I find it odd and do not accept connections from candidates I have interviewed for jobs. I think it's bad form on their part to make this request. It's one thing to do research on LinkedIn but another to automatically try to make that connection and awkward when it is an individual who is not recommended to move forward in the selection process. If I meet the person as part of the interview process, they are not selected but we continue contact for other professional reasons that's different and could merit the connection.

Manoj - I think we agree totally on this one. As I said above; LinkedIn is 'just another network' and I won't get precious about it. I'm not self-centred enough to believe that if someone want to connect with me on a particular medium that I would say no. I just don't get it. Maybe I am being dim here but my reputation is something that I work hard to maintain and a few people who connect with me on one network or another are not going to harm that.

I find Rebecca's comment about not connecting with people who have been interviewed interesting. I kind of get it but I see no 'bad form' in it. You have created a connection in person, they may respect you and your interview process and they may really really want to work with you. A long time ago, I worked with a lady who was rejected in an interview for a job which was her dream position. When she got the rejection, she got in her car and went to see the MD of the company. She spent an hour explaining why she wanted to work for the company, why she was the right person and what she would bring. She came away with a job. Not suggesting this happens every time but it is maverick behaviour and it works.

Just out of interest, wind forward ten years to an interview when you are applying for a new role when the interviewer says, 'I remember you...you rejected my LinkedIn approach...'

I genuinely believe that networking is vital for business. It IS my business and that is why I won't get precious about who I connect with.

I too take a positive approach to managing connections on LinkedIn. I do not blindly accept invitation but review the requester's and the note in the request. I am a big believer in personalizing my note to connect and will provide a reason to connect. If someone requests to connect with me and I find their background to be 'interesting' and especially if their note provides a reason I will accept the connection.

I am a big believer in 'the benefit of the doubt' method of managing connections. In the vast majority of situations this method has not caused me problems. I also use the groups extensively to get to know and provide additional background for myself based on participation. This has also helped to widen my spectrum and viewpoint from both an interest and networking perspective.

I am actually much more selective in Facebook because there is a higher instance of questionable requests that become annoying.

While I don't discriminate to only those people I've met before/already know, I am selective in the connections I will accept for people that randomly connect with me. I too see LinkedIn as an extension of my reputation and my company's reputation (as a business owner), so I don't want to just add anyone and everyone to my network. However, adding some people by quick research/blind faith has paid off and I've made some great connections that either lead to business or partnerships, so there is good that can come out of it.

I only add people that either I can assist or can assist me ....in other words I'm looking for "value add" on both fronts. Also, mean it when you want to add me/you....add a little "sparkle" to your invite don't be so "automatic" and thinking that someone will add to just bolster to the bottom line.

No.

I don't believe in connecting with complete strangers unless I can see a connection, opportunity or positive outcome.

I don't get how anyone can keep up with 400 contacts or more and prefer a much tighter group that I know and understand.

I regularly purge contacts if I can't remember who they are.

I always enjoy reading different perspectives. I only add people that I have had some type of contact with. For me there is nothing to be gained by just having a network of people that I don't know. Since I utilize LI when doing research on people I am prospecting, having a connection to someone thru an individual I have never even spoken with and therefore won't mention is useless.

Consider LinkedIn a reflection on yourself. You're actually implicitly endorsing people you connect with on LinkedIn, even if you're not writing a recommendation for them. Hence when people ask to be connected, I always look at each request carefully, and while I tend to add most people, I don't add everyone. Think about it this way - would you provide a positive comment if you were asked about that person in some way, maybe a referral or most likely a job opportunity. Head hunters love using LinkedIn, and it works very effectively.

I am an open networker (I connect with people I haven't met in person or done business with) but that does not mean I accept every invitation. I always thoroughly review the profile and reason for connecting. I typically recieve good invites because I send invitations and join groups to people I want to be connected with.

But, in recent months, I've received invites that were linked to profiles that appeared to be fake or spam prone. This is a new experience on LinkedIn. The recommendations and reasons for connecting were so generic they didn't seem real. The picture was a graphic not a real picture. I did not accept those invites and recommend people to be careful to ignore those kind of invites.

If your only interaction with a person is a Linked invite to connect, then do not accept that invitation, do not add them to your network. Before you connect with someone on Linked In, you should have had some type of conversation (email, phone, instant message) and deemed them worthwhile to connect to.

Rob...one question...genuinely interested. Why?

I responded to this question a little earlier to say that I connect with most people whether I know them or not. Obviously, many of you don't share my opinion.

But, guess where I look first when I need something or I'm asked if I know someone? In my network of connections. To me, the willingness to connect is a first step. If you're not willing to do that because we have no prior relationship, then you haven't got a chance. And there have been people that have interested me in the past, for one reason or another, who I've bypassed because of that.

I've often wondered how people get to know others in a virtual world who insist on meeting them first. How small their world must be.

I only add people who are of a like mind, may assist my business day in some way or who are personal friends.

Anything else is opening yourself up to pointless chatter, sales emails and potentially malware and should be avoided as they are annoying as a minimum and potentially harmful in the worst case.

I only seek to connect with colleagues on LinkedIn. Majority of my connections are either people that I work with presently or I have worked with in the past. For me, this is an effective way to network.

My connections are people that I feel confident in endorsing and I feel confident that they will endorse me because they know my work ethic. There is a level of trust that one cannot expect to have with total strangers.

Since most of my connections are in the same industry, if a job opportunity arises and if I know that one of my peers is looking for employment, I can be of service to them. The same idea would apply if I were seeking employment. That is what networking is all about.

I really appreciate all of the feedback and discussion around this topic! I am an open networker on LinkedIn but only connect with people that I believe there is some mutual value in.

I am not consumed with the number of connections I have but I enjoy having a large group of people that I can see updates from. Since I consume a lot of information in a day, my LinkedIn network tends to provide a much more professional level of links and news that I would be interested in.

This topic spurred a recent blog post:
http://blog.insideview.com/2011/01/27/why-would-i-connect-with-you-on-linkedin/

My basis for making connections is simply to connect with those who are like minded and potentially have valuable content to share. I have made most of my connections with people I don't know from observing the content they have contributed to a group I follow. Otherwise, I focus on local connections to get better networked.

The content exchange on LinkedIn is what separates it from Twitter and Facebook. To me, that is the most valuable facet of this venue. So, even if I don't know the person and even if they live on the other side of the world, I can learn from their exchanges and I want to be connected.

Well, putting aside the fact that LinkedIn's actual formal policy is that you "link with people that you know", no, I don't link with everyone, however, I do keep an open mind. I've linked with many people that I've not met personally, but if it looks like they have a strong network themselves and are active on LinkedIn, and they have personalized their message making it clear why there is value in the connection for both of us, I usually give it a go. As @Peter said, you can remove people from your network if they become troublesome.

My pet peeve is when people who clearly do not know you try to make it look like they do by saying they were a colleague of yours at a prior company. This just happened recently when the individual said we were colleagues at Microsoft. In reviewing her profile, she obviously never worked there, although I did. I gave her the benefit of the doubt thinking maybe she just didn't understand how LinkedIn worked. I also don't appreciate the invites that say we are "friends" when clearly we do not know each other. Finally, if the person sending the invite cannot take the time to personalize their message, I ignore. Sorry, but I just don't have time to review your profile to figure out if we have common connections or some common reason to connect with each other. In these situations, I simply ignore. I'm not quite as harsh as @Richard and don't report these folks as spam. Again, they probably just don't know how LinkedIn works, and I find this to be especially true if they are folks outside of the United States. Why report somone as a spammer when you don't actually know that to be true?

From the perspectives here, it is obvious that some believe you should open your network to the world or that everyone has value to bring to the table. Maybe yes, maybe no. I'm receiving far too much spam email through LinkedIn now and it's because so many people just don't even understand the basics of the sales process. The first communication with someone (after you've connected with them) should not be a rambling pitch as to why I should buy your stuff. This is the new world of social selling and it's about building relationships and creating value in advance of the sale.

It really depends on your strategy for using LinkedIn and it may change as you evolve your strategy and purpose. For example recruiters and job seekers should be more open about connecting (of course taking into account "spam" looking accounts) than maybe someone whose business is very localized in all aspects. I wrote an blog post on this recently you might want to check it out.

http://www.powerformula.net/blog.html?p=957

I have probably a unique perspective because my Linkedin profile was featured extensively in the book, Get Back to Work Faster. Since my Linkedin profile is considered optimal http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyogden, lots of people wish to connect with me.

The thing I really don't like is the lazy people who take the default message of "I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn." If you want to connect with me, I have just three questions:

1) Who are you?
2) How do I know you or if I don't, why should I know you?
3) Why is it in my interest to connect with you?

Answer those three to my satisfaction, I will connect with you every time.

Jeff Ogden, the Fearless Competitor
Find New Customers "Lead Generation Made Simple"
http://www.findnewcustomers.com
@fearlesscomp