---
title: "LinkedIn Trust Levels"
author: "Christopher S Penn"
date: 2007-12-21
url: https://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/linkedin-trust-levels/
categories:
  - "New media"
  - "Social networks"
---

# LinkedIn Trust Levels

I have a reasonably large LinkedIn network, and as such, I receive LOTS of requests for introductions, networking, etc. as the end user and as a conduit for third parties. If you're in my LinkedIn network, I'm now going to start including a little text nibblet in the introductions I forward, as follows:

- TL0 - Trust Level 0. Out of courtesy, I'm passing along this request. I know nothing about the deal being talked about and do not endorse it in any way.

- TL1 - Trust Level 1. I know the party immediately referring this to me, and trust them, so whatever trust they pass along in their private note to me, I'm passing along as well, but I still don't endorse the offer/deal/introduction.

- TL2 - Trust Level 2. I know the party and the deal all the way back to the origin if it's a 3rd level connection, and I trust the parties earlier in the chain. Because I trust them, I am willing to endorse the offer/deal/introduction insofar as I know it's not fraudulent or spam.

- TL3 - Trust Level 3. I know everything in the chain up to me, and I heartily and wholly endorse the offer/deal/introduction and strongly encourage you to connect and make good things happen, as I believe it's to both parties' benefit.

Needless to say, much of what I pass along on LinkedIn will be TL0. Here's what a sample request will look like: > Hey there. Passing along an intro/deal/etc. TL0. - CSP

How are you managing trust on LinkedIn and other recommendation-style sites?