LinkedIn, a professional networking platform with over 930 million members, is facing a growing issue as some of its users are using the site to make romantic advances, prompting discomfort and frustration among female users. A survey conducted by Passport Photo Online interviewed 1,049 US female LinkedIn users who log in at least once weekly and found that a significant number (91%) reported receiving romantic or sexually inappropriate messages. Many of these advances (31%) are direct messages (DMs) sent to their inboxes.

The survey revealed the nature of these unwelcome advances, with nearly 32% of respondents receiving requests for dates or hookups, 30% asked for “intimate personal information,” and 14% receiving unsolicited flattery. Additionally, nearly 12% reported receiving crude messages.

The reaction of the women surveyed varied, with 14% feeling “annoyed” and 9% feeling “violated.” Some responded directly to the sender, stating that their behavior was inappropriate (44%), while others chose to ignore the messages. Around 17% reported the behavior to LinkedIn or blocked the sender. A majority of the women (74%) found the situation overwhelming and either limited their use of LinkedIn or left the platform entirely.

Experts speculate that LinkedIn’s low barrier to entry and perceived professional context make it an attractive platform for individuals looking to connect for romantic purposes. Unlike dating apps, LinkedIn’s initial purpose was for professional networking, which may contribute to a perception of lower risk when making advances.

Respondents in the survey provided suggestions to address the issue, including increasing awareness and education about appropriate behavior (39%), implementing stricter guidelines and policies (25%), and banning users who repeatedly send inappropriate messages (22%).

LinkedIn acknowledged the survey’s findings and expressed concern about the inappropriate behavior. They stated that unwanted romantic advances and harassment violate their rules and policies, and they have invested in features to prevent harassment. They encourage users to report inappropriate content to help protect the community.

As LinkedIn navigates this challenge, it will likely need to strike a balance between maintaining a professional networking environment and addressing the concerns of users facing unwanted advances and inappropriate behavior.