LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform with over 800 million members. When you first join LinkedIn, you are given a limited number of invitations to connect with other members. This invitation limit is meant to prevent spam and ensure genuine connections are made on the platform. Many new LinkedIn users wonder how long this invitation limit lasts before they can send more invitations. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the LinkedIn invitation limit in detail and provide tips on how to send more invitations once you hit the limit.
What is the LinkedIn Invitation Limit?
When you first create a LinkedIn account, you are given a limited number of invitations, usually around 30, that you can send to connect with other members. Once you have invited 30 people to connect, you will not be able to send any more invitations until your limit resets. This limit is meant to prevent spammy behavior on LinkedIn and encourage users to send invitations thoughtfully.
The exact number of initial invitations may vary depending on your account status. For example, some users have reported receiving up to 60 initial invitations when they created a new LinkedIn account. However, the most common initial invitation limit appears to be around 30 connections.
How Long Does the Invitation Limit Last?
The LinkedIn invitation limit lasts for one month from the date your account was created. After this one month period expires, your invitation limit will reset, and you will be able to send out more invitations.
So if you hit your 30 invitation limit on August 1st, you would need to wait until September 1st for your limit to refresh. On September 1st, you should regain the ability to send 30 more invitations.
Some users have reported that it may take 1-2 days after the month long period for the invitation limit to reset. So you may not get exactly 30 more invitations on the first day of the new month. But the limit does reliably reset after the initial 30 day period from account creation.
Why Does LinkedIn Have an Invitation Limit?
LinkedIn instituted an invitation limit to prevent spammy behavior on their platform. If users could send unlimited invitations, some may abuse this to spam other members with unwanted connection requests.
By limiting the number of invitations, LinkedIn encourages users to be more selective in who they connect with. The goal is to foster genuine professional connections rather than just amassing as many connections as possible.
The invitation limit also helps manage server loads. If millions of users could send unlimited invitations, it would strain LinkedIn’s servers and infrastructure. The limit helps control the volume of invitations so LinkedIn can maintain performance.
Finally, the invitation limit works alongside LinkedIn’s spam and bot detection tools. Accounts that send suspicious amounts of invitations quickly get flagged for review. The invitation limit is one of several mechanisms to maintain the integrity of connections.
How to Send More Invitations Once You Hit the Limit
Once the 30 day period has passed and your invitation limit resets, you will regain the ability to send invitations. Here are some tips to help you send more invitations strategically:
1. Connect with people you know first
When your invitations refresh, use them to connect with people you actually know first – friends, family, coworkers, etc. Avoid spamming complete strangers with invitations. LinkedIn will limit your ability to connect if too many invitations are rejected or ignored.
2. Personalize invitation messages
Always customize the invitation message with a quick note about where you know the person from. Generic messages are more likely to be ignored.
3. Engage with other people’s content
Commenting on and liking other members’ posts boosts your visibility and likelihood of receiving an invitation back in return. Engage genuinely with the platform rather than just blasting invitations.
4. Participate in LinkedIn groups
Active participation in industry-related groups will allow you to connect with more targeted professionals who are interested in your niche. You can engage in group discussions and potentially meet new contacts.
5. Refine your contact targets
Evaluate who you are sending invitations to. Target people who you share common interests and connections with rather than randomly inviting strangers. Quality over quantity.
6. Follow up on outstanding invitations
Keep tabs on invitations you’ve already sent that are still pending. Politely follow up with these contacts asking if they received your original invitation. Conversion rates for accepted invitations tend to be higher when following up.
Tips to Avoid Hitting the Invitation Limit Too Quickly
Here are some best practices to avoid bumping up against the LinkedIn invitation limit constantly:
Pace yourself
Avoid the temptation to rapidly blast out invitations. Take the time to identify and thoughtfully select the recipients.
Prioritize current connections
You can sort your LinkedIn connections to see who you are already linked to but haven’t engaged with. Focus on strengthening these existing ties first before looking for new ones.
Focus on quality discussions
Participate in LinkedIn groups and post compelling content to establish yourself as an expert. Valuable visibility and engagement will attract reciprocal invitations.
Personalize invitation messages
Customized messages have much higher acceptance rates versus generic templates. Show you actually read the person’s profile and why you want to connect.
Follow up persistently but politely
If someone hasn’t responded to your invitation, follow up by sending another message explaining you are still interested in connecting. But avoid being overbearing.
Conclusion
The LinkedIn invitation limit generally lasts for one month from account creation before resetting. This limit prevents spam and encourages thoughtful relationship building. Once the limit resets, you can send more invitations by personalizing messages, actively engaging on the platform, and targeting the right connections. With the right strategy, you can connect with all the promising contacts for your professional network goals.
