LinkedIn does not allow users to attach documents directly to messages for a few key reasons. The main reason is to protect users’ privacy and prevent the spread of spam or malware. LinkedIn wants to keep messaging focused on building professional relationships rather than enabling attachments that could contain viruses or inappropriate content.
Linking to Documents Instead of Attaching
While you can’t attach documents to LinkedIn messages, you do have a couple options to share documents or files safely with your connections:
- Share a link – You can include a link to a document stored elsewhere online (Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, etc) in your message text.
- Share from your LinkedIn Posts – Upload a document to one of your posts, then share a link to that post in a message.
These options allow your connections to safely view the document without enabling risky attachments. LinkedIn wants to keep messaging focused on professional conversations rather than file transfers.
Why Prevent Attaching Documents to Messages?
Here are a few key reasons LinkedIn does not allow attaching documents directly to messages:
Prevent Spam and Scams
Allowing attachments makes it easier for spammers to send malicious files or unwanted marketing materials. Links allow the recipient to see where a file is hosted before downloading.
Security and Privacy Concerns
Attachments could contain viruses, malware, or other harmful files that can compromise user security and privacy. LinkedIn aims to protect users from these risks.
Data and Storage Restrictions
Storing attachments requires significant server storage capacity. LinkedIn likely wants to reduce this need and keep the focus on messaging text rather than file transfers.
Message Interface Simplicity
The messaging interface is streamlined and focused on professional conversations by preventing attachments. This keeps the user experience clean and straightforward.
Workarounds for Sharing Documents with Connections
While you can’t attach files directly in messages, there are a few workarounds to safely share documents with your connections:
Share Links to Cloud Storage
Upload your document to Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, or a similar cloud storage service. Then paste the document’s shareable link into a message to your connection.
Upload to Your LinkedIn Posts
You can upload documents when creating LinkedIn posts. Include a link to the post containing your document in a message to connections who need it.
Send Through Email
If you have a connection’s email address, you can attach and send files through external email rather than through LinkedIn messaging.
Use Desktop Sharing
Set up a Zoom, Skype, or GoToMeeting call to share your screen and documents in real time with your connections.
Tips for Sharing Documents on LinkedIn
Here are some tips to make sharing documents with your LinkedIn network more effective:
- Store your documents in cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox to easily generate shareable links.
- Double check that your privacy settings allow anyone with the link to view before sending.
- Let your connections know in your message what the document is and why you’re sharing it.
- Follow up after sharing to see if your connections had any issues accessing the files.
- Only share documents that are relevant and valuable to prevent annoying your connections.
- Use desktop sharing for real-time collaboration on documents when needed.
Why LinkedIn Won’t Add Attachment Features
With alternative options like links and desktop sharing available, don’t expect LinkedIn to add attachments to messaging any time soon. Here’s why:
Product Focus on Professional Networking
LinkedIn is designed for building connections and relationships rather than as a file sharing platform. Attachments diverge from this focus.
Legal Responsibility for Content
Allowing attachments also requires LinkedIn assume more legal responsibility for vetting content being transmitted through their platform.
Security and Privacy
Enabling attachments creates more potential security and privacy risks that LinkedIn does not want to take on unnecessarily.
Harassment and Abuse Prevention
Attachments make it easier to send inappropriate or abusive content through messages. LinkedIn aims to prevent harassment.
Simple, Clutter-free Interface
Attachments overcomplicate the clean and user-friendly messaging interface LinkedIn currently provides.
Focus Messaging on Professional Networking
Instead of attempting to attach documents, focus your LinkedIn messages on building connections through conversation. Keep the discussions focused on professional networking rather than file transfers. Then use the available workarounds if you need to securely share documents with your connections.
While attachments would provide more convenience, the downsides for LinkedIn likely outweigh the benefits. Use the alternatives available to share files when needed as you continue leveraging LinkedIn messaging to grow your professional network.