I deleted my LinkedIn account fifteen years ago, and it's been fine. I don't have random recruiters beating down my door trying to interest me in jobs I don't want, but is that such a loss? I've had no trouble getting the jobs I do want.

Maybe you have a better history than I, but I've only ever had 2 or 3 very interested recruiters that got a hold of me but they were the real deal and weren't looking to fill entry level crap or stupid temp work.

All the other recruiters just make chat and email spam easily ignored and they never bother me.

No. I have plenty of clients over the years and not a single on ever asked my LinkedIn and / or any other social. And if they ever will the answer will be NO. Well other than HN I am not really on social media anyways. Just have couple of accounts to talk to a couple of people.

And yet I am gainfully employed and haven't had problems switching when I want to..

Is what they waht you to think. Fear of missing out is powerful marketing.