The Panic Moment: “Your Account Has Been Permanently Restricted”
On 24th June at noon, I opened LinkedIn and saw the worst:
“This account is restricted indefinitely due to violations of our User Agreement”
No warning. No second chance. Just like that, years of connections, brand-building, and ad campaign access were gone.
After my profile got restricted, I went through dozens of articles, Reddit threads, and Quora answers — and nearly all of them said the same thing: “If it’s permanently restricted, it can’t be recovered.”
Using the “Verify Identity” link mentioned in the email, I submitted my passport for verification.
The next morning, I opened my email and saw the worst:
“This account is restricted indefinitely due to violations of our User Agreement.”
No warning. No second chance. Just like that, years of connections, brand-building, and ad campaign access were gone.
But here’s the truth — you can still recover your LinkedIn account, even after a permanent restriction. I did it. Here’s how.
Step 1: Understand Why LinkedIn Might Restrict Your Account
- Automation tools (like LinkedHelper, Phantombuster) – This highly violates LinkedIn user policy, if you are using any of these apps expect restriction anytime.
- Spammy outreach or mass connects
- Violations of their User Agreement (even if unintentional)
My case here involved accessing my LinkedIn profile from different locations, as I frequently used NordVPN for work.
Pro Tip: If you’ve used automation tools before, stop now. But don’t bring it up unless they ask.
Step 2: Submit the Official Appeal (Even If Rejected)
I first tried LinkedIn’s Support Contact Form.
I shared:
- My willingness to provide ID and stay fully compliant
- My role in managing LinkedIn Ads + Marketo + Salesforce integration
- How the restriction was affecting our ad operations
Result? A standard message:
“This is a final decision. Your account is permanently restricted.”
That’s not the end. It’s just the start.
This next step is something truly unique, something I haven’t come across in my extensive research, and it’s all thanks to an idea from a few colleagues.
Step 3: Escalate Through Your LinkedIn Account Manager (If You Have One)
Here’s what turned it around for me:
- I contacted our LinkedIn Account Manager (AM) — the one who handles our ad accounts.
- I explained that my profile was tied to campaign performance, lead sync, and integrations.
The AM agreed to escalate it internally.
This took the case away from auto-responses and into LinkedIn’s internal escalation workflow.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have an Account Manager, I highly recommend finding someone in your network — an acquaintance or past colleague at LinkedIn — who can vouch for you internally. A warm internal referral can often open doors that public-facing support cannot.
Step 4: Identity Verification from LinkedIn Trust & Safety
Soon after (3 Business days), I got an email from LinkedIn’s Trust & Safety team:
- They asked for a government-issued ID.
- Then, they requested a second form of ID (Aadhaar card in my case — even without a signature, it was accepted).
Pro Tip: Acknowledge if your ID lacks a signature. Keep your tone respectful and professional.
Step 5: Be Patient. Don’t Use LinkedIn Meanwhile
Once I uploaded both IDs:
- I didn’t log into my old or new LinkedIn account.
- I avoided any follow-up spam or duplicate tickets.
In 2 business days, I got the confirmation which I was waiting for last 192 hours:
“Your LinkedIn account has been reinstated”
Bonus karma
Your LinkedIn profile is more than a login — it’s your professional identity.
Getting locked out is painful, but with:
- The right message
- A business case
- And respectful persistence
…you can recover a permanently restricted account.
If you need any assistance or want my thoughts on your specific situation, feel free to reach me directly at rash@digitalmarketingbaba24.com.
