InMail is LinkedIn’s internal messaging system that allows LinkedIn members to communicate with each other privately within the LinkedIn platform. InMail provides an alternative to email for establishing new professional connections or strengthening existing ones. One common question about InMail is whether users can add attachments to InMail messages, similar to how email attachments work.
The Basics of InMail
InMail was introduced by LinkedIn in 2007 as a way for members to directly contact other members, even if they are not directly connected. Some key features of InMail include:
- Messages are sent and received within LinkedIn’s messaging system.
- You can only message members you are not already connected to.
- There are limits on how many messages you can send per month.
- Recipients can control who can message them through account settings.
InMail helps facilitate new professional relationships by allowing you to introduce yourself and share why you’d like to connect. It can also strengthen existing relationships by providing a quick and direct way to follow up or share information privately.
Attachment Capabilities
When InMail was first introduced, there was no ability to add attachments. All messages had to be contained within the text body of the InMail itself. However, in late 2020 LinkedIn rolled out the ability to add attachments to InMails for Premium Account holders.
Here are some key facts about InMail attachments:
- You must have a Premium LinkedIn account in order to attach files to InMail messages.
- Attachments are limited to 100 MB per InMail message.
- A maximum of 5 attachments can be added per message.
- Supported file types include PDF, DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, PNG, JPG, and GIF.
The addition of attachments makes InMail more robust and useful for sharing documents, presentations, images, and other file-based information privately through LinkedIn messaging.
How to Attach Files to InMail
Adding an attachment to an InMail message is a straightforward process:
- Compose a new InMail message within LinkedIn online or in the mobile app.
- Click the paperclip icon to open the attachment window.
- Select the files you want to attach from your computer or mobile device.
- Attached files appear as small thumbnails below the message text.
- Finish composing your message text then click send.
The recipient will see your message in their LinkedIn inbox with the attachment thumbnails visible. They can then click to download and view the files.
InMail Attachment Limits
While attachments make InMail more versatile, there are limits in place for each LinkedIn account based on membership level. Here are the key attachment limits to be aware of:
Account Type | Number of Attachments | Attachment Size Limit |
---|---|---|
Free Account | Not allowed | N/A |
Premium Business Account | Up to 5 per message | 100 MB per message |
Premium Career Account | Up to 5 per message | 100 MB per message |
Sales Navigator Account | Up to 5 per message | 100 MB per message |
Recruiter Account | Up to 5 per message | 100 MB per message |
As you can see, the Free account tier does not permit any attachments. You need a paid Premium or Sales account in order to attach files to InMails. This provides an incentive for users to upgrade their accounts if they want full InMail functionality.
Conclusion
The ability to add file attachments to InMail messages is a powerful feature that improves LinkedIn’s messaging capabilities. It enables Premium account holders to privately share documents, images, presentations, and other files directly through LinkedIn’s platform.
To attach files to an InMail, simply use the paperclip icon when composing a new message on LinkedIn online or in the mobile app. Keep in mind the limits of up to 5 attachments per message, and 100 MB maximum attachment size per message.
Having this attachment functionality makes InMail a much more robust communication channel for strengthening professional connections and relationships on LinkedIn without needing to use external email.
Can you attach files on the free LinkedIn account?
No, only paid Premium and Sales account holders have the ability to attach files to InMail messages. Free account holders can only send plain text InMails.
What types of files can you attach?
LinkedIn supports common file formats like PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, JPG, PNG and GIF. The full list of supported extensions is available on LinkedIn’s help documentation.
Is there a size limit per attachment?
Yes, each individual file attachment has a maximum size limit of 100MB. So you could not attach a single 200MB file, for example.
Can you attach videos?
Unfortunately video files are not supported as InMail attachments currently. You can only attach static document and image files.
What happens if you exceed the attachment limits?
If you try to attach more than the allowed 5 files, or if the total size exceeds 100MB, you will receive an error message and will have to remove some attachments before sending.
How do recipients view/download attachments?
Recipients see attachment thumbnails in the InMail message. They can click these to download or open the files on their device.
Best Practices
To get the most value out of InMail attachments, keep these best practices in mind:
- Use attachments only when relevant and useful, not just because you can.
- Let recipients know in the message text that attachments are included.
- Compress large files when possible to avoid hitting size limits.
- Double check attachments before sending to make sure you included the right files.
- Follow up with recipients to ensure attachments were received/accessible.
Pros of InMail Attachments
Here are some of the major benefits that attachments bring to LinkedIn’s InMail messaging system:
- Ability to share full documents and files, not just text.
- Makes InMail more robust and feature-rich.
- Allows following up with additional context and materials.
- Provides recipients with helpful resources and visuals.
- Attachment limits prevent abuse and excessive file sharing.
- Compatible with common business file formats.
Cons of InMail Attachments
There are also some downsides or limitations to be aware of:
- Not available on free LinkedIn accounts.
- Maximum of 5 attachments per message.
- 100MB total size limit per InMail.
- No ability to attach video files.
- Recipients may find attachments excessive or unnecessary.
- Could enable file sharing spam/abuse if not monitored.
Overall the pros seem to outweigh the cons, but it’s important to use restraint and good judgment when attaching files to InMails to maximize professionalism and effectiveness.