LinkedIn limits how many profile searches you can do in a month, which can be frustrating when you’re trying to find new connections or do research. Here are some tips to get around LinkedIn’s search limit:
Use Advanced Search
LinkedIn’s advanced search allows you to craft a more targeted search query so you can find the right profiles without having to do as many searches. Use filters like location, company, job title, skills, and more to narrow your search results.
Change Your Location Settings
LinkedIn search results are influenced by your profile’s location setting. Changing your location from your current city to another city or country will show you different search results. Just remember to change it back when you’re done.
Open Profiles In New Incognito Windows
Every time you open a new incognito browser window and go to LinkedIn, you get a fresh set of searches. So you can keep opening new windows to bypass previous search limits.
Use a VPN
A VPN (virtual private network) masks your IP address, so LinkedIn won’t be able to recognize you from previous searches. Connect to a VPN server in a different location to refresh your search limit.
Clear Cookies and Cache
LinkedIn uses cookies and locally cached data to keep track of things like your search history. Clearing your cookies and cache resets LinkedIn’s tracking, essentially restarting your search limit.
Use Someone Else’s LinkedIn Account
If you have a spouse, family member, colleague or friend who doesn’t use their LinkedIn search limit, ask them to search for profiles for you. Just provide them with the right keywords.
Use a Secondary LinkedIn Account
Create a second free LinkedIn account using another email address. Switch between accounts when you’ve used up searches on one of them.
Use a Premium Account
LinkedIn Premium accounts have unlimited profile searches. Upgrading to Premium gives you endless searches, but of course you have to pay for the subscription.
Use the Mobile App
For some reason, LinkedIn’s mobile app allows more searches before limiting you. If you’re hitting the search limit on desktop, try switching to mobile instead.
Pay for LinkedIn Recruiter
LinkedIn Recruiter is LinkedIn’s service aimed at recruiters and hiring managers. It gives subscribers unlimited profile searches. The downside is it’s expensive.
Use a LinkedIn Search Tool or Chrome Extension
There are third-party tools and Chrome browser extensions that provide additional LinkedIn search capabilities. For example:
- LinkedIn X-Ray Search browser extension
- RocketReach
- LeadIQ
- Lusha
- Apollo for LinkedIn
The tools vary, but can help you search beyond the normal limits or automate searches.
Search Only With a Free LinkedIn Account
If you have a premium LinkedIn account, downgrade to a free account. Free accounts have lower search limits, so you’ll reach the maximum quicker.
Use Someone Else’s Computer/Device
LinkedIn tracks your searches through cookies stored on your computer and device. Searching from a friend or family member’s computer starting with a clean slate avoids previous limits.
Try Different Keywords
Sometimes you hit the search limit quickly because your keywords are too broad. Try using more specific keywords and filters to narrow down the profiles you want.
Take a Break
LinkedIn search limits reset after a certain period of time, usually 24 hours. If you’ve hit the max, take a break and come back tomorrow.
Contact LinkedIn
You can try reaching out to LinkedIn’s customer support and asking them to reset your search limit if you have a legitimate need to do more searches. But there’s no guarantee they can help.
Conclusion
LinkedIn limits are annoying, but they exist for a reason – to prevent spammy scraping of data. With some savvy techniques, you can still bypass the limits and find the profiles you need. Advanced search, using a different account, VPNs, incognito browsing, and third-party tools are some of the best options. Just don’t do anything unethical or violate LinkedIn’s terms of service.
Here is a table summarizing the key techniques for bypassing LinkedIn search limits:
| Technique | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Advanced Search | Use filters to narrow search results and limit needed searches |
| Change Location | Change profile location to see different search results |
| Incognito Windows | Get fresh search limit in each new incognito window |
| VPN | Mask IP address so LinkedIn doesn’t recognize you |
| Clear Cookies/Cache | Reset LinkedIn’s tracking of your searches |
| Use Someone Else’s Account | Borrow an account that hasn’t been used for searches |
| Secondary Account | Create a second LinkedIn account for extra searches |
| Premium Account | Upgrade to LinkedIn Premium for unlimited searches |
| Mobile App | LinkedIn mobile apps allow more searches typically |
| LinkedIn Recruiter | Paid service with unlimited LinkedIn searches |
| Search Tools/Extensions | Third-party tools provide extra search capabilities |
| Free Account Only | Free accounts have lower search limits |
| Different Computer/Device | Search from a device with no LinkedIn cookie/cache data |
| Different Keywords | More specific keywords return fewer, more relevant results |
| Take a Break | Limits reset after 24 hours typically |
| Contact LinkedIn | Request limit reset from customer support (not guaranteed) |
FAQs
Why does LinkedIn limit profile searches?
LinkedIn limits searches to prevent spam, scraping of member data, and abuse of their platform. The limits protect LinkedIn members’ privacy.
What happens when I reach the LinkedIn search limit?
You’ll get a message telling you that you’ve reached the maximum number of searches. At that point, you will not be able to do additional searches until your limit resets (usually after 24 hours).
How many profile searches can you do on LinkedIn?
The exact search limit depends on your account type. Free accounts generally get around 50-100 profile searches per month. Premium accounts get around 500-1000 searches per month.
Does LinkedIn Recruiter have unlimited searches?
Yes, one of the main benefits of LinkedIn Recruiter is that it provides unlimited profile searches. This makes it ideal for recruiters and hiring managers sourcing candidates.
Can you get banned from LinkedIn for too many searches?
If you intentionally try to circumvent LinkedIn’s search limits through automation or other tricks, your account could get banned. Make sure to follow LinkedIn’s terms of service.
Does clearing cookies work to reset search limits?
Yes, clearing your browser cookies and cache will reset LinkedIn’s tracking and essentially restart your search limit count.
Can you get around the limit using incognito mode?
Incognito or private browsing starts you with a fresh search limit each time, so it’s one of the easier workarounds. Just open a new incognito window whenever you want more searches.
Summary
LinkedIn’s search limits can hinder your ability to find the right connections and candidates. But advanced search techniques, tools, and workarounds give you ways to bypass the limits ethically. Be persistent yet careful not to violate LinkedIn’s terms of service. With the right approach, you can search beyond the limits to get the data you need.