LinkedIn limits the number of connections each user can have to try and ensure the quality of connections. The current connection limit is 30,000 connections. However, there are ways to bypass this limit for those looking to grow their networks beyond what LinkedIn permits.
Why Does LinkedIn Have a Connection Limit?
LinkedIn’s connection limit is in place to:
- Prevent spam and low-quality connections
- Ensure the platform isn’t overrun with users collecting connections
- Maintain the value and integrity of each user’s network
Without a connection cap, it would be easy for users to send and accept connection requests indiscriminately. This could degrade the overall value of LinkedIn as a professional networking tool.
What is LinkedIn’s Default Connection Limit?
Currently, LinkedIn allows free users to have up to 30,000 1st-degree connections. Paid Sales Navigator users can have up to 30,001 connections.
When a free user hits the 30,000 connection limit, they will no longer be able to send or accept new connection requests until they are back under the limit.
Why You May Want to Bypass the Limit
There are a few key reasons you may want to bypass LinkedIn’s default connection limit:
- Grow your network beyond 30,000 connections
- Quickly connect with many prospects or potential clients
- Increase visibility and expand reach
- Gain access to more content and information
Bypassing the cap allows high-volume networkers and social sellers to form exponentially more connections. However, it also requires dedicating additional time to relationship management at that volume.
How to Bypass LinkedIn’s Connection Limit
Here are a few options for bypassing LinkedIn’s 30,000 connection limit:
1. Upgrade to a Paid Account
The easiest way to bypass the limit is to upgrade to a premium LinkedIn account like Sales Navigator. With a paid plan, you can have up to 30,001 connections.
Upgrading unlocks other benefits too, like advanced search filters, unlimited InMail messages, and more profile views each month. However, a paid account is an added expense that may not work for every user’s budget.
2. Use Multiple LinkedIn Accounts
Another workaround is to create and use multiple LinkedIn profiles. With separate accounts, you can maintain an additional 30,000 connections on each one.
The downside is that managing multiple accounts takes extra time and effort. You’ll have to log in and out to switch between accounts. It can also look suspicious or spammy to have multiple profiles.
3. Delete Old Connections
Instead of accumulating connections forever, you can regularly prune your network. Sort connections by when you last interacted with them or by the value they provide.
Deleting old, inactive connections that are no longer relevant opens up space for new, more meaningful connections. This keeps your network focused while still allowing you to connect with new people.
4. Create a Business Page
LinkedIn Business Pages have higher connection limits than individual profiles. Creating a Company Page allows you to reach up to 100,000 followers rather than 30,000 connections.
This expanded reach comes at the cost of networking through a branded business profile rather than as an individual. But it lets you continue gathering connections well beyond the personal account limit.
Account Type | Connection Limit |
---|---|
Free User | 30,000 |
Sales Navigator | 30,001 |
Business Page | 100,000 followers |
How to Regain Connections After Hitting the Limit
If you already reached LinkedIn’s 30,000 connection maximum, there are a couple ways to regain connections:
Remove Inactive Connections
As mentioned above, deleting old or inactive connections frees up room for new connections. Regularly prune stale connections that no longer engage or provide value.
Upgrade to a Paid Account
Upgrading to Sales Navigator immediately raises your connection limit to 30,001. This small boost can make a big difference if you’re right at the cap.
Wait for Current Connections to Expire
If you don’t want to immediately delete connections, you can simply wait for some to naturally expire over time. As current connections remove their connection to you, it opens up space for new connections.
Ask Connections to Remove You
Another hands-off approach is to post an update asking connections to remove you if they are inactive or deriving low value from the connection. This prompts inactive connections to proactively disconnect.
Maintaining Quality at Scale
When bypassing LinkedIn’s designed limits, it’s important not to sacrifice quality while chasing quantity. Some best practices include:
- Vetting each connection request before accepting
- Personalizing connection invitations
- Regularly pruning stale connections
- Focusing on high-value connections
- Creating lists and tags to segment your network
The key is being selective and intentional with each new connection. This ensures your massive network provides actual value.
Tools to Manage a Large Network
With an expanded network, tools become essential for organizing and managing connections. Useful tools include:
- CRM software like Salesforce to track relationships
- Social media management platforms like Hootsuite to engage efficiently
- Email list segmentation for targeted outreach
- Calendar apps to schedule reminders and follow-ups
- Tagging and advanced LinkedIn search filters
Leverage tools like these to get value from a high volume of connections you can’t manually manage one-to-one.
Is It Worth It to Bypass the Limit?
Bypassing LinkedIn’s cap can expand your reach and opportunities on the platform. However, it also requires much more work to manage that many connections.
Before bypassing the default limit, consider whether you truly need that scale. 30,000 engaged, high-value connections may provide more value than 100,000 random connections. Quality is often more important than sheer quantity when networking professionally.
Weigh the pros and cons based on your specific goals and bandwidth. For most individual users, the cap is sufficient to build a robust network.
Conclusion
LinkedIn limits free accounts to 30,000 connections and Sales Navigator to 30,001 in order to ensure meaningful professional networking. However, it is possible to bypass this limit through paid upgrades, multiple accounts, prudent connection pruning, Company Pages, and other creative workarounds.
The key when bypassing LinkedIn’s designed restrictions is to maintain quality standards as your network grows. Focus on value over volume by being selective about connections and leveraging tools to manage a massive network. With a thoughtful approach, it’s possible to expand your LinkedIn reach well beyond 30,000 connections.