Why I’ve just closed my LinkedIn account
If you’ve ever read the Freakonomics book – or better yet, listened to the excellent podcast – then you’ll know about the sunk cost fallacy:
Sunk costs… influence actors’ decisions because humans are prone to loss aversion and framing effects.
I’ve had a Gmail account ever since I was able to get my hands on an invite – yet I decided to move away recently. Likewise, I’ve had a LinkedIn account since the beginning, but today I closed my account. Just because you’ve used something for a long time and become used to it doesn’t mean it’s still the best option right now.
Here’s my three main reasons for closing my LinkedIn account:
- Spammy emails – I’ve tried my best to stop these, but it’s almost impossible. Enough is enough.
- I want to own my professional identity – I’m not interested in ‘endorsements’. I’m interested in people finding out about me in spaces I fully control.
- The zeitgeist – there’s a growing backlash to LinkedIn. I noticed Audrey Watters deleted her account recently, and then there’s the fact that the company is being taken to court.
So it’s gone.
It’s up to you if you want to do likewise, but know that if you do decide to close your account, you’re not alone!
PS I recently replaced my about.me page at dougbelshaw.com with one created using Mozilla Thimble. You’re very welcome to hit the ‘Remix’ button on that page if you need a new profile!
Banner image CC BY Bryan Mills
