There is no direct way to buy LinkedIn connections through the platform. However, some people look for workarounds to increase their number of connections on LinkedIn.
Why do people want to buy LinkedIn connections?
There are a few reasons why people want to buy LinkedIn connections:
- To increase their network size – A larger number of connections can make a LinkedIn profile look more impressive and influential.
- To reach a target number of connections – Some people aim to reach 500+ or 1000+ connections as a goal or milestone.
- To increase visibility – With more connections, a user’s posts and activity may reach a broader audience.
- To access people and opportunities – A larger network provides access to more professionals, openings, and insider information.
In essence, some people believe that more LinkedIn connections will improve their personal brand, visibility, and career opportunities on the platform.
Is buying LinkedIn connections allowed?
LinkedIn’s User Agreement explicitly prohibits buying or selling connections. Section 2.3 states:
You agree that you will not:
– Create a false identity on LinkedIn
– Sell or purchase any aspect of Your Account
Any service offering to sell LinkedIn connections would violate the platform’s terms. LinkedIn employs algorithms and automated systems to detect fake profiles and unusual spikes in connections. Accounts caught buying connections risk being suspended or banned.
What are some risks of buying LinkedIn connections?
There are several downsides to buying LinkedIn connections:
- The connections are often fake or inactive profiles that will not engage with your content.
- It can appear obvious that you purchased connections if the spike is dramatic.
- You might connect with low-quality profiles that don’t truly match your industry or interests.
- Purchased connections could be deleted soon after by LinkedIn’s fraud detection systems.
- Your account is at risk of being reported, restricted, or banned.
Instead of helping your brand and goals, buying connections could undermine your credibility and get your account shut down. The connections are unlikely to convert into meaningful relationships.
What are some alternative methods to increase LinkedIn connections?
If your goal is to grow your LinkedIn network, there are legitimate ways to connect with more relevant professionals:
- Optimize your profile to attract connections in your industry.
- Engage regularly with content and conversations to gain visibility.
- Join industry-related LinkedIn groups and build connections within them.
- Connect with second-degree connections and expand your network through introductions.
- Participate in industry events and conferences and connect with attendees.
- Reach out individually through customized connection requests.
While this organic approach takes more time and effort, it builds an engaged network with shared interests that bring value to your profile and goals.
How much do services charge for LinkedIn connections?
There are websites and freelancers that claim to sell LinkedIn connections, typically charging per connection added. However, as mentioned, these services violate LinkedIn’s policies.
Some example price points that can be found online include:
- $2.95 per 100 connections
- $197 for 1000 connections
- $1000 for 10,000 connections
There are also tiered subscription packages that offer regular batches of connections over time, such as 50 new connections per month. Prices vary greatly but typically range from $9.99 to $99.99 per month for these subscriptions.
Are LinkedIn connection services legal?
While buying LinkedIn connections does not technically break any laws, it does violate the platform’s User Agreement that all members consent to when signing up. LinkedIn has the right to terminate accounts that violate these terms of service.
In addition, buying LinkedIn connections could be regarded as a form of fraud if the purchased connections are fabricated profiles and not real people. The creation of fake accounts with the intent to deceive could be considered legally questionable or illegal in some jurisdictions.
Can LinkedIn detect purchased connections?
LinkedIn devotes significant resources to identifying fake profiles and unnatural activity patterns. Their automated systems use machine learning to analyze connection patterns and flag accounts for further investigation. Some detection methods may include:
- Monitoring spikes in connection growth and other unusual activity.
- Analyzing profile details and connections for signs of automation and fabrication.
- Looking for synchronized actions like identical posts across connected profiles.
- Detecting bot-like connection invitation patterns.
- Identifying connection selling services and monitoring associated accounts.
Any suspicious activity that suggests inauthentic connections is likely to trigger increased scrutiny by LinkedIn’s security algorithms. There are no foolproof ways to avoid detection of purchased connections.
What happens if LinkedIn detects purchased connections?
If LinkedIn investigates an account and confirms it has purchased connections, some potential consequences include:
- The purchased connections being removed.
- The account being restricted from sending connection invitations.
- The profile and activity being limited or hidden from other members.
- Temporary suspension of the account.
- Permanent termination of the account.
The specific action likely depends on the severity and frequency of the connection policy violations. But increased vigilance means low tolerance for artificial connections, putting purchased accounts at high risk.
Conclusion
Buying LinkedIn connections is strictly prohibited and often ineffective. While services exist claiming to sell connections, they provide no value and threaten the buyer’s account status.
The better approach is growing your network organically through engaged participation. Seek out quality over quantity in your connections. Invest time in building relationships, not shortcuts prone to unravel.
With persistence and care for your community, your LinkedIn profile can become a trusted hub for industry insights without artificial aids. Focus on that trust and your impact, not the numbers.
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LinkedIn is fundamentally about building relationships. While it operates on the scale of a social network, the connections have professional purpose. Your network represents the trust you’ve built through meaningful interactions and value creation. Numbers alone are hollow.
When weighing any growth tactic, consider its effect on how people perceive your reputation. Will it enable bigger impact and opportunity? Or undermine the quality of your relationships? For long-term success, you want growth rooted in merit – reflecting skills, character and community contributions that inspire people to connect with you.
Don’t get distracted chasing metrics like connection counts. Ultimately, a profile’s worth isn’t defined by vanity metrics. It comes from showcasing your unique value and engagement within your industry. From the conversations you start. Knowledge you share. And doors you thoughtfully open for others. That’s where opportunity lies.
Approach your LinkedIn presence with patience and care. Build on your interests and existing relationships. Participate with curiosity, not just transactions in mind. Add value before expecting it in return. Make connections based on mutual alignment, not one-sided gain. Grow your garden before everything else.
When your profile cultivates steady enrichment – you educating and empowering your community – the numbers will come. But they’ll be a natural byproduct, not the objective. And that network will stand by you for the long term.
So be selective and personal with your connections. Check for shared context before reaching out. Make sure your profile clearly communicates how you can help others. Show your CHARACTER before touting your credentials. Bring heart to your profile and posts.
Relationships matter most. The lasting opportunities flow through people, not profiles. Don’t take shortcuts that could undermine the trust you’ve built. Stay patient and persistent. If your goals align with enriching your community, you’ll reap the rewards through genuine professional relationships. That’s real success.
