A message request on LinkedIn is an indication that someone wants to privately message you, but you two are not connected on LinkedIn yet. When someone sends you a message request, they are unable to send an actual message until you accept their request. Accepting a message request allows that person to message you directly within LinkedIn’s messaging system.
When Does a Message Request Occur?
On LinkedIn, you can only directly message other members who you are connected with. If someone wants to message you who is not in your network, they must first send you a message request. This request shows up in your LinkedIn inbox, similar to a new message.
Some common situations when you may receive a message request include:
- A recruiter or hiring manager wants to discuss a possible job opportunity with you.
- Someone viewed your profile and wants to connect professionally.
- A salesperson wants to pitch you their product or service.
- An old colleague or classmate wants to get back in touch.
Essentially, anytime someone outside your network wants to privately communicate with you on LinkedIn, they must first send a message request.
Viewing Message Requests
On LinkedIn’s desktop site, you can view message requests by clicking the envelope icon in the top navigation bar. This will show your inbox. Any message requests will display at the top, above regular messages.
On the LinkedIn mobile app, tap the chat bubble icon at the bottom to view your inbox. Swipe left or select “Requests” at the top to view any pending requests.
The number displayed on the envelope or chat bubble indicates how many total unread messages and requests you have. A red notification dot is also displayed on both desktop and mobile when you have any new requests or messages waiting.
Accepting or Ignoring Requests
When you receive a message request, you have the option to either accept it or ignore it. Accepting the request allows the sender to message you going forward. Ignoring or deleting the request means they will be unable to message you unless they send another request in the future.
To accept a request on desktop, click the “Accept” button on the request notification. On mobile, swipe left on the request and tap “Accept.” Once accepted, the request will disappear from your inbox and the user will be able to directly message you.
If you would like to ignore or delete a message request, click “Delete” on desktop or swipe right on mobile. The request will be removed from your inbox and the sender will be unable to message you.
In general, it’s best to only accept message requests from people you know or want to hear from. Be cautious of accepting requests from strangers, as some may try to spam you with promotional messages.
Replying Without Accepting
On LinkedIn’s desktop site, you also have the option to send a reply to a message request without formally accepting it. When viewing the request, click “Reply” rather than “Accept.” This allows you to respond once without allowing the sender to freely message you going forward.
Replying without accepting can be a good option if you want to learn more from the sender before deciding whether to accept. For example, you may ask for details about a job opportunity before accepting a recruiter’s request.
Who Can Send Message Requests?
Any LinkedIn member can send you a message request, with a few exceptions:
- You’ve blocked the member from contacting you.
- The member’s account is restricted for violating LinkedIn’s policies.
- You’ve set your messaging preferences to only allow messages from people in your network.
You can adjust your messaging preferences by going to your Settings & Privacy page and selecting “Communications.” Here you can choose to only allow messages from people in your network, or open it up to all LinkedIn members.
Limits on Message Requests
To prevent spam and abuse, LinkedIn does limit the number of message requests a member can send per week. If someone is sending an extremely high number of requests, their account may be restricted.
As the recipient of requests, LinkedIn won’t limit how many you can receive. But sending too many unsolicited requests that get ignored may get an account banned.
Receiving Message Requests After Connecting
In most cases, accepting someone’s message request also connects you as a LinkedIn contact. However, there are some exceptions where you may remain unconnected after accepting a request:
- The sender specifically chose to send a request without connecting.
- You already have a pending connection invitation from the sender.
- Either you or the sender have reached the limit for LinkedIn connections.
So it is possible to have an active messaging conversation on LinkedIn with someone who is not in your connections network. The conversation will remain in your messages as long as either person stays on LinkedIn.
Receiving a Request After Messaging
When you message someone you are not connected to on LinkedIn, the recipient will first see a message request from you. They must accept this request before your message is delivered.
Essentially, LinkedIn treats the initial message you send to an unconnected member as a request. So you will both have to accept each other’s request before your full conversation begins.
Does Sending a Request Notify the Recipient?
Yes, sending a message request will notify the recipient and appear in their inbox just like a regular message. They will see that they have received a new request that is waiting for them to accept or ignore it.
The notification is designed toprompt the recipient to check their inbox so they see your pending request. If the notification is missed or ignored, your request may go unanswered.
Is There a Message Character Limit?
No, LinkedIn does not enforce a character limit on messages or message requests. However, extremely long messages may be truncated with a “read more” link.
It’s generally wise to keep an initial request brief and friendly. You can provide more details and have longer discussions after the recipient accepts your request.
Are Message Requests Private?
Yes, the content of message requests and messages on LinkedIn are always private between the two parties. No one else will be able to see the content of your requests or messages.
However, the LinkedIn algorithm may analyze message data to improve the platform’s recommendations. But this analysis is automated and not viewed by individuals.
How Long Do Message Requests Last?
Message requests will remain in your inbox indefinitely until you either accept or delete them. There is no expiration on requests.
For senders, unaccepted requests may expire after a certain time period. LinkedIn’s policies do not provide an exact timeframe, but it’s likely 30-90 days.
Can You Report or Block Someone Who Messaged You?
Yes, if someone sends you an inappropriate message request, you can report them to LinkedIn. On desktop, click the “More” menu on the request and choose “Report.” On mobile, swipe left and tap “Report.”
You can also proactively block a member who messaged you. This prevents them from contacting you again in the future. To block, use the same “More” or swipe left menu and select “Block.”
Should You Accept Requests From Strangers?
It’s generally wise to be selective about accepting message requests on LinkedIn. Consider these factors:
- Do you share any connections with this person?
- Is their profile credible with accurate work history and details?
- Do they explain their reason for contacting you in the request or their profile summary?
If none of these apply, use caution before accepting. Politely ask for more background before connecting with a stranger.
Be particularly wary of salespeople, recruiters promoting vague roles, or anyone asking you to share personal/sensitive info.
Can You Remove Connections After Accepting?
Yes, if accepting a message request also connects you on LinkedIn, you can remove that connection later if desired. Just visit their profile and use the “Remove Connection” option.
This will remove them from your network. However, any messages exchanged will remain in your inbox.
Can You Accept on Behalf of Someone Else?
No, LinkedIn requests and messaging are designed to only be managed by the account holder who receives them. There is no option to accept or manage requests on someone else’s behalf.
The request recipient must log into their own account to view and accept any pending requests and messages.
Is There an Option to Auto-Accept Trusted Senders?
Unfortunately no, LinkedIn does not currently offer a way to auto-accept requests from certain trusted connections or companies. You have to manually accept each request individually.
Some users suggest adding trusted accounts to a LinkedIn list. Then you can periodically check that list for any new requests.
Can You Manage Requests in Bulk?
LinkedIn does not allow you to multi-select and manage multiple requests at once. Each request must be accepted, replied to, or deleted individually.
On desktop, you can use keyboard shortcuts like “A” to accept or “D” to delete requests quickly. But there is no current bulk management feature.
How Do Message Requests Impact LinkedIn Algorithms?
Frequently sending and accepting message requests may positively influence your ranking in some LinkedIn algorithms:
- More accepted requests can improve your “connnectiveness” score.
- Engaging in meaningful conversations may increase your “engagement” score.
- Receiving requests shows you are valued in your industry or niche.
However, mass-sending unsolicited requests is considered spam and can negatively impact your reputation. Focus on quality over quantity of connections.
Message Requests vs. InMail
With a premium LinkedIn account, you also gain access to send InMail messages to anyone on LinkedIn, even if you are not connected. So InMail offers an alternative way to initiate contact.
However, the recipient must still “accept” your InMail before they can directly reply. And you are limited to a certain number of InMails per month, unlike standard requests.
For most use cases, a regular message request achieves the same purpose for free. But InMail does guarantee your message’s delivery and attention in some cases.