LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform with over 850 million members worldwide. As a relationship-based network, connecting with other professionals is a key activity on LinkedIn.
However, LinkedIn limits how many connection requests you can send per week to maintain quality engagement on the platform. Exceeding the limit results in restrictions, so it’s important to understand LinkedIn’s connection limit policy.
LinkedIn’s Connection Limit
LinkedIn allows you to send up to 300 connection requests per week. This limit applies to your personal LinkedIn account and resets every Monday at 12:01 am PST.
The 300 connection request limit is quite generous and allows you to connect with a substantial number of new professionals each week. However, it is still a restricted number intended to prevent spammy behavior.
Why Does LinkedIn Limit Connections?
LinkedIn limits the number of connection requests for a few key reasons:
- Prevent spam and low-quality connections: Mass connection requests are often seen as spammy. The limit prevents users from endlessly blanketing the platform.
- Encourage meaningful engagement: LinkedIn wants connections to reflect actual relationships, not just contact lists. The cap promotes more selective, engaged networking.
- Maintain user experience: Too many connection requests can be disruptive and overwhelm recipients. The limit protects the overall user experience.
- Reduce bots and abuse: Bots often automate connection requests. Limiting requests per account helps curb abusive behavior.
While users may want unlimited connections, the limit aims to cultivate higher-quality relationships and conversations.
How Does LinkedIn Track Your Connection Requests?
LinkedIn closely tracks the number of connection requests you send each week. The platform monitors:
- Direct connection requests you send via profiles.
- Requests sent when importing contacts.
- Requests sent through LinkedIn Sales Navigator.
- Requests sent through third-party apps using the LinkedIn API.
All connection requests count toward your weekly limit, regardless of the method used. LinkedIn has full visibility across their platform and API usage.
What Happens If You Exceed the Limit?
If you exceed the 300 connection request limit in a week, LinkedIn will restrict your account’s ability to send further requests.
You may see an on-screen warning that you have surpassed the cap. More significantly, you will be banned from sending connection requests for 1-2 weeks.
The length of the sending restriction depends on how much you exceeded the limit:
Number of Extra Requests | Restriction Duration |
---|---|
Less than 100 | 1 week |
100-249 | 1 week |
250-499 | 2 weeks |
500+ | 2 weeks |
As you can see, even slightly exceeding the limit triggers a 1-week ban. Significantly exceeding it extends the restriction to 2 weeks.
Other Possible Restrictions
In some cases, LinkedIn may impose additional restrictions beyond just connection requests:
- Unable to send InMail messages: You may not be able to send personalized InMail to those you are not connected with.
- Unable to join groups: LinkedIn may prohibit you from joining new groups during the restriction period.
- Limited profile views: Your ability to view full profiles and the profiles of group members may be limited.
These limits are less common but indicate LinkedIn is closely monitoring your overall activity during the restriction period.
How to Regain Full Access
The main way to regain full access is simply to wait out the 1-2 week restriction period without exceeding further limits. You can request connections again after the period ends.
However, there are a few other recommended steps to fully restore access:
- Apologize to connections: If you messaged anyone along with mass connection requests, it’s polite to apologize for the intrusive outreach.
- Adjust your habits: Be mindful not to jump back into mass connection requests once the limit resets. Take a more measured, personal approach.
- Contact customer support: In some cases, LinkedIn support can review restrictions if you make a good case for removal.
Following up with connections and changing your habits reduces the risk of receiving further restrictions from LinkedIn.
How to Avoid Hitting the Limit
Here are some tips to avoid exceeding LinkedIn’s connection limit:
- Track your weekly requests in a spreadsheet or notes app.
- Aim to stay under 250 requests weekly as a buffer.
- Personalize connection requests with a customized message.
- Focus on quality over quantity – engage meaningfully with new connections.
- Space out requests instead of batch sending.
- Use LinkedIn’s filtering tools to target relevant profiles.
- Upgrade to Sales Navigator to get expanded search filters.
Staying organized, personal, and strategic with your outreach keeps your connections under the cap while still allowing you to substantially grow your network each week.
In Summary
LinkedIn limits accounts to 300 connection requests per week. This prevents spam, maintains user experience, and cultivates meaningful connections.
Exceeding the limit triggers a 1-2 week restriction from sending further requests or engaging on LinkedIn. By tracking your requests, personalizing outreach, and adjusting habits, you can avoid hitting the cap.
While the limit may seem restrictive at first, it aims to benefit the overall LinkedIn community and connections. A thoughtful, targeted approach to networking allows you to connect with hundreds of the right professionals each week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get around LinkedIn’s connection limit?
There are no official ways to get around LinkedIn’s connection limit. Using multiple accounts or other workarounds violates LinkedIn’s terms of service. Focus your efforts on networking selectively within the bounds of the policy.
What happens if I send bulk connection requests by mistake?
Even if exceeding the limit was a mistake, LinkedIn will still impose sending restrictions on your account. Reach out to customer service, apologize to recipients, and adjust your process to avoid repeat issues.
Does LinkedIn show how many requests I have left?
No, LinkedIn does not provide users with an ongoing tally of their remaining requests for the week. You must track your progress separately using notes or a spreadsheet.
Can I reactivate a deleted LinkedIn account to reset my limits?
No, if you delete your account, LinkedIn will remember your previous behavior if you reactivate it. Restrictions will carry over, so this is not an effective workaround.
Does LinkedIn limit how many connections I can have total?
No, there is no limit on your total connections. The weekly request cap is the only restriction. Your total connections can grow indefinitely.
Conclusion
LinkedIn’s connection limits aim to facilitate more meaningful professional networking interactions. While the policies restrict high-volume outreach, they ultimately create a better user experience. Focus on selectively connecting with the right people each week within the bounds of LinkedIn’s guidelines.