LinkedIn is one of the most powerful platforms for professional networking and lead generation, but it’s important to understand the limits that LinkedIn places on various activities. Whether you’re connecting with prospects, sending messages, or increasing your profile visibility, LinkedIn has restrictions in place to keep the platform professional and free from spam. Understanding these limits can help you work smarter and more efficiently, ultimately boosting your lead generation efforts. Here’s everything you need to know about LinkedIn’s limits and how to make them work for you.
What Are LinkedIn’s Limits?
Think of LinkedIn’s limits as traffic rules for online networking. Much like traffic rules help maintain order and safety, LinkedIn limits are designed to ensure that users have a smooth and spam-free experience. These limits can affect how you connect, message, and even view profiles. But by knowing them, you can avoid hitting barriers that slow down your outreach efforts.
Here’s a quick overview of LinkedIn’s key limits for various activities:
- Connection requests: LinkedIn caps your total number of connections at 30,000.
- Messaging: Free users can send up to 100 messages weekly, while Premium users can send 150 messages.
- InMail credits: These are available for Premium users and are capped monthly based on your subscription.
- Profile views: Free accounts can view up to 80 profiles per day, while Premium members can see 150 profiles, and Sales Navigator users can view up to 1,000 profiles.
These limits are in place to reduce spam and keep the platform functioning smoothly, but understanding them can actually make your lead generation more effective.
Connection Request Limits on LinkedIn
One of the most common activities for lead generation on LinkedIn is sending connection requests. However, there is a limit to how many you can send each week. LinkedIn typically allows you to send around 100 connection requests per week, but sending too many requests at once can raise red flags, especially if many of those requests are ignored or marked as irrelevant.
When making connection requests, quality is key. Instead of sending out generic connection requests, personalize your message. Take a few moments to mention something specific about the person’s profile or your shared interests. This increases the likelihood of your request being accepted and avoids triggering LinkedIn’s spam filters.
Once you’ve hit the 30,000 connection limit, LinkedIn will replace the “Connect” button with a “Follow” button. This means you can no longer send connection requests, but you can still follow people to stay updated on their posts and activity.
Messaging and InMail Limits
LinkedIn offers two main ways to communicate with people: regular messages to connections and InMail to people you’re not connected with yet. However, each type has its own set of limitations.
Regular Messages:
For free accounts, you can send up to 100 messages per week, while Premium accounts are allowed 150 messages per week. Keep in mind that LinkedIn also monitors how users respond to your messages. If you get too many ignored messages, LinkedIn may reduce your messaging limit.
InMail Credits:
If you’re looking to message someone you’re not connected with, you’ll need InMail credits. The number of InMail credits you receive depends on your LinkedIn subscription. Free accounts don’t have access to InMail, but Premium users get 15 InMail credits per month. Sales Navigator users get 50, and Recruiter Lite members get 100.
An added bonus is that if someone responds to your InMail within 90 days, LinkedIn will credit that message back to your account. Additionally, if someone has an “Open Profile,” meaning they’re open to receiving messages from anyone, you can message them without using any InMail credits.
Pro Tip: Personalize your messages! Craft a concise, value-driven message that addresses the recipient’s needs or interests. Avoid sending a generic sales pitch, as this is likely to result in your message being ignored. LinkedIn favors genuine interactions, which are the foundation of successful lead generation.
Profile and Account Visibility Limits
Your profile visibility plays a crucial role in attracting the right prospects. If your profile is too private, potential leads may not be able to find you, which can limit your opportunities. LinkedIn gives you three main options for profile visibility:
- Public: Your profile is visible to anyone on the internet.
- Semi-private: Only LinkedIn members can view your profile.
- Private: Only your connections can view your full profile.
If you’re actively prospecting or job hunting, it’s beneficial to keep your profile more public to increase your chances of being found by the right people. A strong, keyword-optimized profile ensures that your profile appears in searches, helping you attract valuable leads.
LinkedIn also allows you to see who has viewed your profile, but the number of viewers you can see depends on your account type. Free users can only see the last five viewers, while Premium accounts unlock the full list. Sales Navigator users can view up to 1,000 profile views.

Strategies to Work Within LinkedIn’s Limits
Understanding LinkedIn’s limits is essential, but knowing how to work within these limits is what will make your lead generation efforts more efficient. Here are a few strategies to make the most of LinkedIn’s restrictions:
- Focus on Quality, Not Quantity: Instead of trying to send as many connection requests as possible, take the time to research prospects and craft personalized messages. Tailor your approach to their needs, and focus on building genuine relationships.
- Engage with Content: Share relevant posts, comment on industry discussions, and engage with your connections’ content. This helps increase your visibility on the platform and positions you as a thought leader in your field.
- Use InMail Wisely: Since InMail credits are limited, use them strategically. Message people who have a high chance of responding and are aligned with your target audience. If someone doesn’t respond within 90 days, don’t waste a credit following up; try other ways of reaching them.
- Regular Profile Maintenance: Keep your LinkedIn profile fresh by regularly updating your skills, experience, and achievements. This keeps your profile attractive to prospects and helps you maintain a professional image.
- Leverage Other Lead Generation Tools: In addition to LinkedIn, use tools that can help you gather contact details and automate outreach. For example, integrating tools like email finders and lead generation platforms can give you more flexibility and help you go beyond LinkedIn’s messaging limits.
By leveraging these tools and strategies, you can enhance your LinkedIn lead generation efforts, making the most out of the platform’s features while avoiding common pitfalls.
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