InMail and email are two different methods of digital communication, but they share some similarities. InMail is a feature of the LinkedIn professional networking platform that allows users to directly message other members, while email refers to messages sent through webmail services or email clients. This article will compare and contrast InMail and email to help you understand if they are the same thing.
What is InMail?
InMail is LinkedIn’s internal messaging system that allows paid account holders to directly contact anyone else on LinkedIn, even if they are not connected. Some key features of InMail include:
- Messages go to the recipient’s LinkedIn inbox rather than their external email address.
- Recipients can read the full message without having to connect first.
- Senders can attach files and media to messages.
- InMail credits are required to send messages, purchased through LinkedIn premium accounts.
- There are limits on how many InMails a user can send per month.
InMail is intended for making professional connections and recruiting talent on LinkedIn. It provides a way to reach people you’re not connected to and get their attention among other messages.
What is Email?
Email refers to digital messages sent from one party to another over the internet. Some key features of email include:
- Messages are sent to the recipient’s external email address rather than an in-platform inbox.
- Email accounts are provided by webmail services (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) or set up through email clients (Outlook, Apple Mail, etc.).
- Senders can attach files, photos, and other media.
- No credits are required – email sending is free, but may be subject to storage limits.
- Frequency of emails sent is not limited.
Email allows anyone to send messages to recipients if they have their email address. It is commonly used for both professional and personal communication.
Comparing InMail and Email
While InMail and email are different platforms, they have some notable similarities and differences:
| Feature | InMail | |
|---|---|---|
| Messages sent to | Recipient’s LinkedIn inbox | Recipient’s external email address |
| Connectivity required? | No | No |
| Sending limits | Limits on credits and number of messages per month | Typically no limits |
| Cost to send | Credits must be purchased with premium account | Free |
| Attachment options | Files and media can be attached | Files, photos, and media can be attached |
| Primary use cases | Professional networking and recruiting | Professional and personal communication |
As shown in the table, both InMail and email allow you to send messages directly to recipients without a connection. But InMail has limits and associated costs, while standard email does not. Email is broader in use for both professional and personal contexts, while InMail is focused on professional networking through LinkedIn.
Similarities
There are a few key similarities between InMail and email:
- Both are digital messaging platforms that allow sending text, attachments, images, etc. to recipients.
- No existing connection is required to send or receive messages.
- Messages are delivered directly to the recipient’s inbox rather than requiring a connection request.
- They can be used to share information and make professional connections.
Differences
There are also several differences between InMail and email:
- InMail is part of the LinkedIn platform, while email is its own distinct communications protocol.
- Email is more universally used for both business and personal contacts.
- InMail requires purchasing credits through a LinkedIn premium account to send messages.
- There are limits on how many InMails a user can send in a period.
- InMail shows up in the LinkedIn messaging inbox rather than an external email account.
- Email open and response tracking is handled differently than InMail.
InMail vs Email for Business Use
For business purposes, InMail and email also have some comparative pros and cons:
InMail Business Benefits
- Allows contacting people you’re not connected to on LinkedIn.
- Credibility of coming from an established LinkedIn account.
- Good for targeted professional networking and recruiting.
- Higher response rates compared to cold email outreach.
Email Business Benefits
- More universally used in business compared to LinkedIn.
- Established protocols for security, compliance, and integration with other tools.
- No limits on how many messages you can send.
- Can reach recipients outside of LinkedIn’s walled garden.
For most general business uses, email has broader reach and capability. But InMail can be very effective when you need to proactively reach professionals on LinkedIn.
InMail vs Email for Personal Use
For personal communication, email has some clear advantages over InMail:
Email Personal Benefits
- Used broadly for communicating with friends, family, and contacts outside of LinkedIn.
- Allows keeping personal and professional communications separate.
- No message sending limits.
- Typically connected to texts and notifications on mobile devices.
- Widely supported across different devices, clients, and apps.
Personal use cases almost always favor standard email given its ubiquity in people’s daily communication habits. InMail is rare in personal contexts since both parties need to be LinkedIn members.
Conclusion
In summary, InMail and email are different platforms for digital communication:
- InMail is LinkedIn’s internal messaging system while email is an external protocol.
- Both allow sending direct messages without connectivity, but InMail has limits and costs.
- Email is broader for professional and especially personal uses.
- InMail is specialized for LinkedIn networking and recruiting.
So in most cases, InMail is not a direct replacement or analogue for email. It serves specific purposes in the LinkedIn ecosystem. But standard email remains the broader and more universal digital messaging platform, especially for non-professional contexts.
