How Many Connections Can You Have on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is one of the most popular social media platforms right now and since it is designed to be business-focused, it seems to have more communication rules than the other social media networks. For instance, there is a connection limit on LinkedIn. You cannot connect any more people when you hit the limit of 30,000 connections. Of course, thankfully there is no limitation for the followers but still the connections are too important for people who want to become successful on LinkedIn. Connections are your most valuable treasure on platforms like LinkedIn. Who is out there to deny the power of connections in the real world or the virtual one?

Is there a LinkedIn connection limit?

It was less than two years ago when Covid-19 struck out and caused people to stay home! You remember that clearly, right? Tens of millions of people lost their jobs due to the economic fallouts and started looking for new positions, but could they leave their houses to hunt? No! So they had to do this online. So LinkedIn and other social media platforms became a real job-seeking tool. They were a tool before 2020, especially LinkedIn, but now more and more people started using them. The statistics suggest that the more connections users have on LinkedIn the better their chance is to reach their goals on the platform. Doesn’t matter if you are trying to sell your product, find a job, find investors, generate leads, etc. you can always count on having a lot of connections.

LinkedIn allows users to have up to 30,000 direct connections. However, there is no limit to the number of followers you can have on the platform. It's important to focus on building a quality network of meaningful connections rather than simply amassing a large quantity of contacts.

It is just like in the real world. When you know a lot of people, you have more chances to find a decent job since one of them might have a related vacant position or know some companies who are employing, one of them might be an investor or know an investor who is exploring candidates to find the best talent. One might be the mentor you are looking for or they can refer you to one. That is exactly what happens on LinkedIn, you are not just Linked to your first-degree connections, in some ways, you are connected to their contacts (your second-degrees) and their connections’ contacts (your third degrees). It is just like domino tiles falling! You have a friend who has a friend who has a friend, who has a friend…

So if these connections are so useful, why did LinkedIn make this limitation? There is no certain reason for that, but the experts believe that it was to stop people from spamming each other, misusing the number of their connections, etc. And to be honest, that seems kind of logical, since when you go over 500 connections, then The number of your contacts will be displayed as 500+. So no one can see people’s actual number of connections, yet you can estimate your first-degree’s connections.

So, you only have 30,000 connections on LinkedIn, which seems hard to be able to reach, but for so many people it is not even enough, marketing experts included. If you are one of these people you need to choose whom to contact wisely, or else you have to unfollow your connections in order to make enough space for the new ones you think can benefit you more.

It is just like you are a painting collector with limited space and you cannot afford a bigger place at any cost, so you need to be picky when buying paintings and select the most valuable pieces instead of buying just any paintings you see. Because you never know when you might find one of the masterpieces. What if you don’t have enough space to store that painting properly? You have to throw some other paintings out then (or sell them in the best scenario), so be selective about your connections.

How many users are on LinkedIn?

Let’s talk numbers now, shall we? First of all, how many users are on LinkedIn? This platform grew so much in the last 12 years, and reached more than 875 million users in 2022 from 78 million users in 2010.

You might think “all right, but there are a lot of other social media networks with much faster growing users’ population, like TikTok.” Yes, many platforms had a faster growth and TikTok was the fastest-growing social media ever, but take a look at the nature of these two platforms and of course the time they launched TikTok.

LinkedIn is a profession-based network with so many experts who are actually active in different industries, while TikTok is an entertainment-based platform that was first launched in September 2019. They say that the covid-19 pandemic helped its explosive growth a lot and who is out there to disagree? We all spent so many days in our houses, watching those videos of different challenges, but did we ever think “hey, let’s search for a job on TikTok”, No! But we do search for jobs on LinkedIn, since LinkedIn was first designed to be a professional platform for people to demonstrate their level of expertise to find decent job opportunities. And to be honest, LinkedIn did not have a really user-friendly environment back then, even now after so many years, still many people do not really like this platform. But, it seems like more than 875 million people do like it!

The statistics show that 52 million people use Linkedin to search for jobs every week, over 101 job applications get submitted every second, 8 people who applied through LinkedIn get hired every minute. These numbers are things that you cannot easily ignore. This means that LinkedIn has a huge role in the employment process all around the world and the fact that so many people still do not know this platform means that it will grow much more in the near future.

Let’s take a look at the demographic of this platform in different continents:

• North America +215 million
• Europe + 227 million
• Asia + 244 million
• Latin America +136 million
• Middle east and Africa +49 million

People from more than 200 countries are active on LinkedIn, you can see some of them bellow:

There are more than 58 million companies listed on LinkedIn to this very date and that means there are millions of opportunities (job, internship, investment, etc.) in there. You need the correct connections to use these opportunities and if you are not connected, just learn how to message people without being connected.

When you have some company pages on LinkedIn and have your employees listed in it, you will experience more engagement for each post since as LinkedIn Ads claimed, more than 30% of the engagement traffic comes from the employees of each company.

At the end of the 2021 financial year, LinkedIn claimed that this platform generated $11.5 billion revenue which was 43.7% more than the last financial year.

If you want to categorize it by gender, we have to say that in the classical categories as male and female, men use LinkedIn more than women. There is nothing odd here! I mean yeah, I know that billions of women work these days and that is the modern era essential, but they use LinkedIn less than their male fellows. Of course the gap is not that big but it still is there, so deal with it!

How many LinkedIn connections should I have?

Actually there is no certain number for the question of how many LinkedIn connections should I have? It is like the contact list on your phone, people have different ideas for it. Some save everyone they see as their contact and some are more selective and only save those who they know and believe that they will answer them once they message them. But if you still need to know the number that might be logical to get people to notice your posts, many experts believe that it is about 500 to 900 at least. Why is that?

Let’s be honest, every piece of evidence is telling us that your posts are only seen by 10-15% of your contacts (in the best scenario 20-30%) in the first hour. The algorithms decide what to do with it depending on those 10-15% of your connections’ reaction and you can never know who those people are! So it is only logical to have as many connections as possible to increase the initial engagement. The only problem here is that you probably do not know most of these people so if you randomly connect people you see, there is no way to make sure that they engage with your posts. That is why it is suggested to try to know them a little and be slightly selective while choosing people to connect with.

I suggest picking those who work in your industry, or people who you might think are interested in the posts you share on your company page or in your feed. This strategy can get you the engagement you need to be able to manage the algorithms to show your posts to the other 85-90% connections and even beyond.

How to get more LinkedIn connections? Connections were always kind of a big deal in human society. It was always like that the ones who knew more people were more successful in their social affairs, like finding jobs, finding investors, finding customers, etc. LinkedIn is nothing but the modern form of that very society! The more relevant and sometimes irrelevant people you know there, the more chances you have to reach the goals you are pursuing in the platform, so let’s see how you can get more connections.

1. Personalize connection requests
2. Follow up
3. Break down the network growth goals into smaller pieces
4. Make people get engaged by posting
5. Have an eye on the LinkedIn groups
6. Post more visual content
7. Engage more with your connections
8. Let people find you by using keywords in profile

We will talk about each one of them later, but first let’s see how many requests can you send on LinkedIn?

How many connection requests can I send on LinkedIn?

Since connections are too important on LinkedIn, requests are so important to ignore and for everyone knows their value, people used to somehow spam each other with the invitations in previous years. You see, the linkedin weekly invitation limit used to be 100 per day, yes that was a lot, so there were so many reports and complaints by the spammed users. Although LinkedIn never formally announced that, so many experts believe that was the reason for the limitation LinkedIn imposed on its weekly invitations. It decreased the number of requests from 100 per day to 100 per week for every account, paid ones included. You also need to know that once you hit that limitation you will receive a message that says: “You’ve reached the weekly invitation limit on LinkedIn.” This means that you probably would not be able to send requests for the next two to three days. Although you still can use the InMails (if you are premium), but since they are too expensive and you always have just a few, it is better to wait.

Don’t worry if you received this message, it is just to notify you that you have reached the ultimate number of requests for that week. So, your account is in no risk of getting suspended, limited, etc. Still this limitation doesn’t mean that you cannot try to expand your network. Here are some strategies I always suggest to my friends.

Publish valuable and engaging content:

People are usually on LinkedIn for a purpose, such as finding a job, learning something, finding new talents to employ, etc. They do not open their LinkedIn just to browse and get entertained. So you need to publish valuable and engaging posts to attract their attention, persuade them to view your profile and probably request to connect you. I mean you hit the weekly limitation, but other people can still invite you! So, prove that you are an expert and a trustworthy source of information in your industry. Publish articles, pieces of industry news, upload how-to videos (try not to make an external link to other websites like YouTube, the algorithms don’t really like that), bring some statistical data that you think might help some of your connections, etc. inspire and encourage them to send a request.

Add CTA:

Add a CTA to other content you are uploading on other platforms like Facebook and Instagram and encourage the audience to take a look at your profile. They will probably request to connect if they see some good content there.

Act smart

It is also beneficial to be smart about the limitations you have here. You have a strict limitation so it is just wise to try to consider that. Do not just go around and ask any random people to connect, choose the ones who you actually think might be beneficial to you. And to increase the acceptance rate, it is suggested to always send a personal message with your invitations. People might receive a lot of requests each day; usually, all are with the automatic message. One good crafted personal message with your invitation will help you stand out among them. Have a very short introduction, tell them why you want to connect, bold your common points, etc.

How to increase the average number of LinkedIn connections?

So, we said that you can increase your connections by some strategies and we named eight ways. Let’s talk about them.

1. Personalize connection requests

As we said above a personalized (not automatic) message along with your request can increase the chance of acceptance a lot. When you want to send people invitations, take a look at their profile and then click on the connect button, the pop-up box will let you write a fine message. Introduce yourself and let them know why you are messaging them.

2. Follow up

This one is about the connections you make in real life and look them up on LinkedIn after that. The statistics show that the chance of people accepting your request on LinkedIn is so much higher when they know you or saw you even once recently. So next time you meet people in the conferences, parties, etc. find them on LinkedIn and invite them to connect (if you think they can be beneficial to you at any point).

3. Break down the network growth goals into smaller pieces

Expanding your network on LinkedIn is just like a bodybuilding plan, you cannot reach one thousand pushups in one day, you also cannot reach 500+ connections from 10 connections at once. Sometimes it seems like an unreachable goal, but believe me, once you divide it into smaller pieces and give it enough time, it will be much more accessible. There is no guarantee that people would accept your requests (especially the strangers). Be careful with the ones you select and do not spam people with requests. Wait three to four days for the answer and then if you did not get one, cancel the connection request and go for more targets.

4. Make people get engaged by posting

As we said, people are looking for valuable content on LinkedIn not just killing their time and the more valuable the posts you share be, the more chance that they might react or leave a comment on it. And you know that engagement increases the chance of your posts to be seen by more people right? So what are you waiting for?

5. Have an eye on the LinkedIn groups

Be active in the groups. They are the best place that you can find some really great people to connect with and when you keep posting valuable content in a LinkedIn group, not only are you self-branding and demonstrating your knowledge, but you also are making sure that the connection requests that you might send for the members get accepted.

6. Post more visual content

Everybody knows by now that visual content is the most interesting piece of content these days. One good video or picture can talk so many words and people are just much more probable to get engaged with these kinds of posts and actually send you a connection request based on how good and educative that content is.

7. Engage more with your connections

Engaging is what people see on your profile on their connections’ posts. Do not just scroll your connections’ content down, react to them and more importantly, leave a comment. A “thanks for sharing” can get you visible, but getting more specific can create a discussion over your comment.

8. Let people find you by using keywords in profile

Using keywords is the best strategy to make sure that people who you want them to view your profile are able to find you by the search box. So use the most relevant keywords in different sections of your profile and also in the posts and don’t forget the hashtags.

There are also so many other ways to increase your connections like promoting your LinkedIn URL, using LinkedIn pulse, connecting with alumni, etc. you need to find the one which suits you and you are comfortable with.

Related Questions & Answers

How many connections can you send on LinkedIn per week?

LinkedIn has a weekly limit on the number of connection requests you can send to other users. This limit varies depending on your account type and activity level. For standard LinkedIn accounts, the limit is typically around 100 connection requests per week. For premium LinkedIn accounts, the limit can be higher, but still varies based on the specific account type.

It’s important to note that LinkedIn also has restrictions on the number of invitations that can be withdrawn or marked as spam. If you exceed these limits, your account may be restricted or even suspended. Therefore, it’s important to use LinkedIn’s connection features in a responsible and thoughtful manner, and only send connection requests to users who you genuinely know or who are relevant to your professional network.

How many connections can you make on LinkedIn per day?

LinkedIn does not have a specific limit on the number of connection requests that can be sent per day, but it is important to use the platform responsibly to avoid being flagged as a spammer. LinkedIn’s best practices suggest that users should only connect with people they know and who they have interacted with in some way, either in person or online.

Additionally, it’s important to note that LinkedIn may restrict or disable accounts if they are found to be engaging in abusive or spammy behavior. To avoid this, it’s recommended that users keep their daily connection requests to a reasonable number and only send requests to users who they believe would be interested in connecting. As a general guideline, it’s best to aim for no more than 50-100 connection requests per day to avoid triggering LinkedIn’s spam filters.

How many connections on LinkedIn to be an influencer?

There is no set number of connections required to be considered an influencer on LinkedIn. An influencer is someone who has established themselves as a thought leader in their industry, with a strong following and engaged network. This can be achieved through a variety of factors, such as creating and sharing high-quality content, engaging with your network, and building meaningful relationships with other professionals.

That being said, having a large number of connections can certainly help increase your visibility and reach on LinkedIn. The more connections you have, the more people you can potentially influence and engage with your content. However, it’s important to focus on the quality of your connections over the quantity, and to prioritize building relationships with individuals who are relevant to your industry or interests. Ultimately, being an influencer on LinkedIn is less about the number of connections you have and more about the impact you make on your network through your thought leadership and engagement.

LinkedIn connection limit per month

LinkedIn does not have a specific connection limit per month, but it’s important to use the platform responsibly and avoid being flagged as a spammer. LinkedIn recommends that users only send connection requests to people they know or who they have interacted with in some way, either in person or online. This helps to maintain the quality of your network and build meaningful relationships with other professionals.

To avoid triggering LinkedIn’s spam filters, it’s generally best to limit your connection requests to a reasonable number per day, typically no more than 50-100 per day. Additionally, it’s important to engage with your network and share high-quality content regularly, rather than simply focusing on building your connections. By prioritizing quality over quantity and engaging with your network in a thoughtful way, you can build a strong and influential presence on LinkedIn.

How many connection requests can I send on LinkedIn Premium?

The number of connection requests you can send on LinkedIn Premium varies depending on the specific type of account you have. LinkedIn offers several Premium account options, including Premium Career, Premium Business, Sales Navigator Professional, and Recruiter Lite. Each of these account types has different limits and features.

For example, Premium Business and Premium Career accounts typically have a higher weekly limit for connection requests, around 300-500 per week. Sales Navigator Professional and Recruiter Lite accounts have even higher limits, with the ability to send several hundred connection requests per day. However, it’s important to use LinkedIn’s connection features responsibly and only connect with people who you genuinely know or who are relevant to your professional network.

It’s also important to note that LinkedIn has restrictions on the number of invitations that can be withdrawn or marked as spam. If you exceed these limits or engage in abusive behavior, your account may be restricted or even suspended. Therefore, it’s important to use LinkedIn’s connection features in a thoughtful and responsible manner, regardless of your account type.

Why does LinkedIn have a connection limit?

LinkedIn has a connection limit in order to maintain the quality and integrity of the platform. By limiting the number of connection requests that can be sent per week, LinkedIn can prevent users from spamming other users or engaging in abusive behavior. This helps to create a more positive and productive experience for all users on the platform.

Additionally, LinkedIn’s connection limit helps to ensure that users are building meaningful and relevant connections with other professionals. By encouraging users to only connect with people they know or who they have interacted with in some way, LinkedIn can help users build stronger and more valuable professional networks. Ultimately, the connection limit helps to maintain the credibility of LinkedIn as a professional networking platform and reinforces its focus on building genuine relationships between professionals.

How to get more than 30,000 connections on LinkedIn?

Getting more than 30,000 connections on LinkedIn requires a significant investment of time and effort. Here are some tips for expanding your network and building strong relationships on LinkedIn:

1. Share high-quality content: Creating and sharing high-quality content on LinkedIn can help you establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry and attract new connections.
2. Engage with your network: Take the time to engage with your existing connections by commenting on their posts, congratulating them on milestones, and sending personalized messages.
3. Attend events and join groups: Attending industry events and joining relevant LinkedIn groups can help you connect with new professionals and expand your network.
4. Use LinkedIn’s search tools: Utilize LinkedIn’s search tools to find relevant professionals in your industry or niche and send personalized connection requests.
5. Leverage existing connections: Ask your existing connections for introductions to other professionals in their networks who you would like to connect with.

It’s important to remember that building a large and meaningful network on LinkedIn takes time and effort. By consistently engaging with your network and sharing valuable content, you can gradually expand your connections and establish yourself as a leader in your industry.

Conclusion

Connections are your most important asset on social platforms like LinkedIn. They are what you can use to make sure that more and more people see your posts, more and more people follow you and your company page, more and more opportunities and options you have in different things like finding a job, an investor, a mentor, partner, etc. They are the ones who will spread your words on LinkedIn by getting engaged with your posts. Like when one of your connections reacts to a post or leaves a comment, the very content gets into your feed as well, it is a snowball effect and your content can even get to people out of your network. So, just learn how to connect when you do not know people and start sending out those invitations. Just keep in mind that you do not have unlimited requests. So be a little pickier than usual and select the ones you believe can help you.

FAQ

What happens when you get 30,000 connections on LinkedIn?

Reaching 30,000 connections on LinkedIn is the platform’s connection limit for individual users. Once you hit this number, you can’t add any more connections. However, people can still send you connection requests. To continue expanding your network, you’ll need to either remove existing connections or encourage others to follow your account instead of connecting.

Does having 500+ connections on LinkedIn matter?

Having 500+ connections on LinkedIn can be seen as a milestone in one’s professional networking efforts. Once you exceed 500 connections, your profile displays “500+” rather than the exact number, signaling to others that you’re an active and well-connected user. This can enhance your credibility and visibility on the platform, making you appear more established and engaged in your industry or field.

What happens when you get 10,000 connections on LinkedIn?

Reaching 10,000 connections on LinkedIn signifies that you have a vast and extensive network, which can boost your credibility and outreach on the platform. However, beyond the perception, there’s no specific feature or benefit that unlocks at this number. It’s essential to focus on the quality of your connections, ensuring they’re relevant to your industry or interests, rather than just aiming for a high connection count.

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