Lost My Entire LinkedIn Network Overnight… Thanks, Hire EZ

Experiencing a Sudden LinkedIn Account Ban: A Cautionary Tale for Professionals Using Third-Party Tools

In today’s digital landscape, many professionals leverage tools and extensions to enhance their networking and outreach efforts on platforms like LinkedIn. However, these integrations come with inherent risks, particularly when they violate platform policies. I want to share my recent experience with the platform to help others avoid similar setbacks.

The Incident

A few months ago, I began using Hire EZ, a Chrome extension designed to streamline the process of managing LinkedIn connections and outreach. While initially beneficial, approximately one week ago, I found myself locked out of my LinkedIn account—permanently banned. The platform flagged my account for “unauthorized activity,” which was perplexing, as I had not used any other third-party tools besides Hire EZ.

The Aftermath

Despite submitting an appeal to LinkedIn, my efforts to recover the account were unsuccessful. Throughout the process, Hire EZ representatives assured me that their tool complies fully with LinkedIn’s terms of service. However, the account ban suggests that either the tool violated platform policies or the activity was deemed suspicious enough to warrant a permanent ban.

Lessons Learned

Losing years of professional connections, messages, and the ability to engage with my network overnight was a significant blow. This experience underscores the importance of exercising caution when integrating third-party extensions with your primary professional accounts. The convenience of these tools must be weighed against the potential risks of violating platform rules and jeopardizing your online presence.

Final Thoughts

For professionals who depend heavily on LinkedIn, it’s crucial to prioritize account security and compliance. Before using any third-party extension or automation tool, thoroughly review LinkedIn’s terms of service and ensure that your practices align with their policies. When in doubt, it’s often better to avoid tools that could threaten the sanctity of your account.

Disclaimer: This post is based on personal experience and serves as a cautionary tale. Always perform due diligence before integrating new tools into your professional workflow.