The short answer is no, LinkedIn messages do not automatically go to a user’s email inbox. LinkedIn messages stay within the LinkedIn platform unless a user manually forwards a message to their email.
Where LinkedIn Messages Are Viewed
LinkedIn messages are viewed and managed within LinkedIn itself. When someone sends you a message on LinkedIn, you will get a notification on LinkedIn that you have a new message. To view, read, and reply to that LinkedIn message, you simply need to log into your LinkedIn account.
You can access your LinkedIn messages by clicking on the “Messages” icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage. This will take you to your LinkedIn inbox where you can view all your conversations.
So LinkedIn messages are contained within the LinkedIn platform itself. You do not need to check your regular email inbox to see LinkedIn messages. As long as you log into your LinkedIn account, you will be able to view and respond to your LinkedIn messages there.
Forwarding LinkedIn Messages to Email
While LinkedIn messages do not automatically go to your email inbox, you can manually forward a LinkedIn message to your email if you want to.
To forward a LinkedIn message to your email:
- Open the LinkedIn message you want to forward.
- Click on the “More” icon (3 dots) at the top right of the message.
- Select “Forward.”
- Enter the email address you want to forward the message to.
- Click “Send.”
This will forward that specific LinkedIn message to the designated email address. The recipient will be able to view the full message content in their email inbox.
You also have the option to download a LinkedIn message conversation to your computer. Click the “More” icon and select “Download conversation” to save the message thread as a .txt file.
Receiving LinkedIn Notifications Via Email
While LinkedIn messages themselves do not go to your email inbox, you can choose to have certain LinkedIn notifications sent to your email address.
For example, you can set up email notifications for:
- New connection requests
- Accepted connection requests
- New messages
- Mentions
- Comments on your posts
- Likes on your content
- Profile views
To enable email notifications:
- Go to your “Settings & Privacy” on LinkedIn.
- Click “Notifications” on the left sidebar.
- Under “Stay up to date”, select your preferences for receiving email notifications.
This will send the chosen notifications to your email inbox. However, to actually view and respond to LinkedIn messages, you still need to log into your LinkedIn account directly.
Replying to LinkedIn Messages
To reply to a LinkedIn message that you received, simply log into your LinkedIn account and go to your inbox.
From your message inbox you can:
- Read the full message by clicking on it.
- Reply directly to the message by typing your response in the text box and clicking “Send.”
- Forward the message to an email address.
- Delete the message when you are done with the conversation.
One thing to keep in mind is that LinkedIn does not allow you to reply directly from your email inbox. Any responses need to be sent within LinkedIn itself. forwarded messages are read-only in email.
Also, LinkedIn does not currently allow group messaging. You can only message one LinkedIn member at a time.
LinkedIn Messages on Mobile
LinkedIn’s mobile app makes it easy to manage your LinkedIn messaging on the go. The LinkedIn app is available for both iOS and Android devices.
On the LinkedIn mobile app:
- Tap the “My Network” icon to view your connections and messages.
- Tap “Messages” to view your recent conversations.
- Tap a conversation to read and reply.
- Use the search bar to find people and start new conversations.
You’ll receive push notifications on your mobile device anytime you get a new LinkedIn message. You can also enable email notifications in your settings.
Limits on LinkedIn Messaging
LinkedIn does place certain limits on messaging usage in order to prevent spam and abuse:
- You can only message your 1st-degree connections on LinkedIn. No messaging people outside your network.
- There are daily limits on how many messages you can send.
- If you send messages too quickly you may be rate limited.
- Suspicious messaging activity can result in restrictions.
As long as you use LinkedIn messaging for legitimate professional communication, you shouldn’t run into any issues with limits. But be aware that overly promotional or spam-like messaging is prohibited.
Professional vs. Casual Messaging
LinkedIn recommends maintaining a professional tone in your messages, similar to if you were emailing colleagues or networking contacts.
Things to avoid in LinkedIn messages:
- Casual nicknames / slang – use proper names
- Emojis and GIFs
- Informal language
- Improper grammar/spelling
- Off-topic conversations
- Overly personal details
LinkedIn is a social network for professional connections and business opportunities. While you can certainly be friendly and conversational, you still want to come across as polite and professional.
Closing a LinkedIn Conversation
To officially close or end a conversation on LinkedIn:
- Open the message thread you want to close.
- Click the “More” icon (3 dots) at the top right.
- Select “Close conversation.”
- Confirm that you want to close the conversation.
This will mark the conversation as closed. Neither you nor the other person will be able to send further messages on that thread.
Closing a conversation can be useful for tidying up old or inactive conversations in your inbox. The conversation remains visible in your inbox for reference.
You can also delete a conversation if you want it fully removed from your inbox. Use this option for irrelevant or unwanted messages.
Muting LinkedIn Conversations
If you don’t want to fully close or delete a conversation, you can mute it instead.
To mute a LinkedIn conversation:
- Open the message thread.
- Click “More” and select “Mute conversation.”
Muting removes the conversation from your main inbox, but it remains accessible in your “Archived” messages. You can still view and reply to muted conversations when needed.
Muting is useful for de-cluttering less important conversations from your inbox without fully closing them.
Blocking LinkedIn Messages
If someone is sending harassing, inappropriate, or spam-like messages, you can block them to avoid further contact.
To block a LinkedIn member:
- Open one of their messages.
- Click the “More” icon.
- Select “Block/report.”
- Choose “Block” to confirm.
This will prevent that person from viewing your profile or sending further messages. Any existing message threads will be closed.
Use the block feature cautiously as it severs professional connections. But it’s an option if someone is clearly abusing LinkedIn messaging.
Reporting LinkedIn Messages
If you receive an abusive, harassing, or otherwise inappropriate message on LinkedIn, you can report it directly to LinkedIn for review:
- Open the concerning message.
- Click “More” and choose “Block/report.”
- Select “Report” to file a complaint with LinkedIn’s trust & safety team.
LinkedIn takes member complaints very seriously. Reported messages will be examined and action will be taken against any members sending harmful or illegal messages.
Archiving LinkedIn Messages
Over time, your LinkedIn inbox may fill up with old or less relevant conversations.
Rather than deleting these conversations, you can archive them to clear out your inbox while still keeping them for records if needed.
To archive a LinkedIn conversation:
- Open the message thread.
- Click the “More” icon.
- Select “Archive conversation.”
Archived LinkedIn messages are moved out of your inbox into the “Archived” messages folder. You can access archived messages at any time, but they will no longer appear in your main inbox.
Turning Off LinkedIn Messages
If you need to temporarily disable LinkedIn messaging, you can turn off incoming messages in your settings.
To turn off messages:
- Go to your LinkedIn “Settings & Privacy.”
- Click “Communications” on the left sidebar.
- Uncheck the box for “Allow people to send you messages.”
- Confirm by clicking “Update.”
This will prevent any new message threads until you re-enable messaging. Existing conversations remain in your inbox.
Disabling messages can be useful if you are receiving an overwhelming influx of messages or need a break from messaging.
Deleting LinkedIn Messages
If you have a LinkedIn conversation that you want permanently removed, you can delete it from your inbox.
To delete a LinkedIn message thread:
- Open the conversation you want to delete.
- Click the “More” icon.
- Select “Delete conversation.”
- Confirm deletion.
This will permanently delete the message thread from your inbox as well as the other person’s inbox. The conversation cannot be recovered once deleted.
Only delete messages that you have no need to keep for your records. Deletion is permanent.
Wrapping Up
LinkedIn messaging can be a great tool for engaging your professional network and developing meaningful connections.
Key takeaways:
- LinkedIn messages stay within LinkedIn – they do not go to your external email.
- You can manually forward specific messages to email if needed.
- Enable email notifications in your settings to receive LinkedIn updates via email.
- Reply to LinkedIn messages only within LinkedIn itself, not through external email.
- Use LinkedIn messaging professionally as you would email colleagues.
- Manage your inbox by muting, blocking, reporting, or deleting unwanted messages.
With some prudence and organization, LinkedIn messaging can be an effective communication tool to build your professional network and expand career opportunities.