Why Purchase a LinkedIn Account?
There are a few key reasons why someone may want to purchase a LinkedIn account rather than creating one from scratch:
- To gain an established presence – Purchasing an account that is already active and has existing connections can help you establish credibility and presence on LinkedIn much faster than starting from zero.
- To inherit an existing network – A purchased account will have connections, followers, groups, etc. already in place, sparing you the work of building up a network organically.
- For anonymity – Some buyers want to maintain privacy and separation between their professional and personal brands online. Purchasing an account avoids connecting it directly to your real identity.
- To get immediate access to opportunities – An established account may provide faster access to jobs, clients, partnerships, and other opportunities before you’ve built up your own credentials.
- To avoid starting from scratch – Creating a new account requires you to recreate your profile, connections, content, recommendations, etc. Acquiring an account saves this grunt work.
In summary, purchasing an existing LinkedIn account can give you a head start and instant credibility if you want to shortcut the process of organically growing a strong personal brand and presence on the platform.
Where to Buy LinkedIn Accounts
There are a few options to consider when looking to purchase a LinkedIn account:
Freelancing Marketplaces
Websites like Fiverr and Upwork have sellers offering LinkedIn accounts for sale. You can browse listings, compare seller reviews/ratings, and purchase an account directly through the platform. Prices range anywhere from $50 to $500+ depending on factors like number of connections, profile completeness, engagement, etc.
Social Media forums
There are various social media groups and forums (e.g. Reddit) where people buy and sell sites like LinkedIn accounts. Posting a “Want to Buy” ad specifying your requirements may get sellers contacting you with account offerings. Exercise caution to avoid scams though when dealing directly with strangers.
LinkedIn Account Sales Companies
There are some niche businesses focused specifically on selling established LinkedIn accounts to buyers. They acquire and cultivate accounts over time only to resell them. This can provide a safer route than buying directly from individuals. Expect to pay a premium though.
Direct from an Individual
You may be able to find someone seeking to sell their LinkedIn account directly through your own network and connections. This allows you to better vet the seller but limits your options compared to external platforms.
No matter where you choose to purchase from, make sure to do diligence on factors like account activity, connection authenticity, profile completeness, etc. to ensure you get a quality account and avoid getting scammed.
What to Look for When Buying a LinkedIn Account
Not all LinkedIn accounts are created equal. When searching for an account to purchase, keep the following criteria in mind:
- Profile completeness – You want a robust, fleshed out profile with details like work history, education, about summary, skills, recommendations, etc. Anything less raises suspicion.
- Connection volume – More connections are better, but only if they are relevant and appear authentic. 5,000+ connections are ideal.
- Connection quality – Focus on accounts with connections that align with your goals and include decision-makers, influencers, and authority figures in your target industry/role.
- Activity history – Look for frequent engagement like shares, comments, likes, and regular posting. Long periods of inactivity are red flags of fake or bought accounts.
- Credentials – Accounts with premium features like job seeker badges show investment and expertise in using the platform.
Heavy activity, robust connections, and complete profiles indicate natural, authentic growth for an account – not artificial inflation. This carries more value.
What to Avoid When Buying LinkedIn Accounts
On the flip side, beware of the following account warning signs which likely indicate shady activity:
- Empty profiles – Blank or default-filled profiles signal the account was created just for sale.
- Irrelevant connections – Accounts with random connections unrelated to the profile’s focus were likely artificially boosted.
- Aged accounts with little activity – Avoid accounts inactive for long periods which were then “woken up” just to sell.
- Group-only activity – Engagement exclusively limited to group comments often signals automated bots used to inflate activity.
- Suspicious connection patterns – Unnatural spikes or geometric growth in connections may indicate bought or fake connections.
Conduct due diligence screening for any shady activity – purchase quality over quantity when it comes to an account’s connections and activity.
Questions to Ask the Seller
To further avoid purchasing a low-quality, artificial account, ask the seller key screening questions like:
- Why are you selling your LinkedIn account?
- How did you acquire your connections?
- Can you provide examples of meaningful engagement and interactions?
- What strategies did you use to grow your account?
- Are there any restrictions or limitations on the account?
Probing for specifics can reveal underlying issues and expose illicit account growing tactics. Demand full transparency from the seller before purchasing.
Account Transfer Process
Once you’ve identified a suitable account to purchase, make sure you fully understand and follow LinkedIn’s account transfer process. Key steps include:
- The seller changes the account email and password and provides this new login to you.
- You log in and submit an account ownership transfer request to LinkedIn.
- LinkedIn emails the registered account owner to approve transferring to your email.
- The seller must approve the transfer by clicking the confirmation link.
- LinkedIn transfers full account ownership and control to you.
- You now have access and gain account administration privileges.
LinkedIn’s safeguards intends to verify consent and prevent unauthorized account access. It may seem tedious, but following protocol protects you during the purchase process.
What Will it Cost?
LinkedIn account prices when purchasing from a seller vary based on factors like:
- Account age – Older accounts cost more.
- Industry focus – Accounts closely aligned with in-demand industries cost more.
- Connection volume – Accounts with 500+ connections cost more.
- Profile completeness – Fully filled out profiles cost more.
- Premium status – Premium accounts with added features cost more.
- Seller reputation – Established sellers with strong reviews charge higher prices.
With those variables in mind, here are typical price ranges to expect:
Account Age | Industry | Connections | Price Range |
---|---|---|---|
1 – 3 years old | Any | 500 – 1000 | $50 – $150 |
3 – 5 years old | High-demand (tech, business) | 1000 – 2000 | $150 – $300 |
5+ years old | High-demand (tech, business) | 2000+ | $300 – $500+ |
These ranges account for most use cases. Higher prices often indicate illegal account inflation. Carefully weigh the value before overpaying.
Conclusion
Purchasing an established LinkedIn account can accelerate your networking and career progress. But tread carefully to avoid getting scammed with an artificial account inflated by shady methods. Do diligence on factors like activity history, connection authenticity, seller reputation, and compliance with formal account transfer. Follow best practices, ask key questions, and document the purchase process to ensure you buy a quality account that provides long-term value. With the right approach, a purchased LinkedIn account can pay dividends for your professional persona and opportunities.