The Basics: Types of LinkedIn Messages
Did you know that 82% of buyers will look up a seller on LinkedIn before replying to a prospecting message?
It’s not surprising that before responding to an InMail connection request or profile view, most people want to know who they’re dealing with. Your outreach doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it’s part of a broader visibility loop where profile views, content engagement, and trust all intersect.
This makes it even more crucial to craft targeted outreach while adhering to LinkedIn’s messaging limits and best practices. In this blog, we’ll explore the LinkedIn message limit and show you how understanding these restrictions can help you maximize reach while protecting your account.
TL;DR
LinkedIn limits messages by connection level, account type, and user behavior.
Premium accounts have InMail caps; personalized messages get better replies.
Connection requests are limited to 100-200 per week; higher acceptance unlocks more messaging.
Low reply or acceptance rates can trigger throttling.
Use groups, comments, mutual connections, and Smart Links to bypass limits.
The Basics: Types of LinkedIn Messages
LinkedIn offers multiple messaging options based on your relationship level and account type. Each option provides different advantages in terms of reach and functionality, with specific messaging limits depending on whether you have a Free or Premium account. So, how many LinkedIn messages can you send per day? The limits vary, but knowing your messaging options helps you maximize outreach without exceeding LinkedIn’s set boundaries.
Here's how they work:
1. 1st-Degree Connection Messages
You can send unlimited messages to your 1st-degree connections, which are people who have already accepted your request. This makes it the most accessible and scalable outreach method.
Best for:
Nurturing leads or relationships.
Sharing follow-up resources after meetings.
Asking for introductions to mutual contacts.
Since you’re already connected, there are no restrictions on the number of messages you can send. High response rates are often achieved because a connection and trust have already been established. These messages are unlimited for both Free and Premium users.
2. InMail Messages
InMail lets you contact LinkedIn users outside your network and is available to Premium subscribers. Each message includes a subject line (up to 200 characters) and a body (up to 2,000 characters), giving you ample space to personalize your outreach. It’s beneficial for reaching people who aren’t easily accessible through standard connection requests.
Best for:
Cold outreach to targeted, high-value profiles.
Engaging prospects who are hard to reach via traditional invites.
LinkedIn Message Limits:
Free Accounts: No access to InMail
Paid Accounts:
Premium Career: 5 InMails per month
Premium Business: 15 InMails per month
Sales Navigator: 50 InMails per month
Recruiter Lite: 30
If your InMail receives a reply, LinkedIn refunds your credit, making personalized messages essential for maximizing your outreach effectiveness.
3. Connection Requests with a Note
When sending a connection request, you can add a short note (up to 300 characters). While these don’t count as messages, they influence whether someone accepts your request.
Best for:
Starting relationships with warm or semi-warm leads.
Connecting after events, webinars, or mutual group interactions.
LinkedIn Message Limits:
Free Accounts: Up to 100 connection requests per week
Premium Accounts: Up to 200 connection requests per week
Why it works: Accepted requests unlock unlimited future messaging, and personalized notes significantly improve acceptance rates.
4. Open Profile Messages
Some Premium users enable "Open Profile," allowing anyone, even non-connections, to send them messages. These messages are completely free and don’t count against your InMail limit.
Best for:
Sales reps and recruiters looking to maximize free reach
Strategic networking without an immediate connection
LinkedIn Message Limits:
Free Accounts: Can’t use Open Profile messages
Premium Accounts: Unlimited messages to users with Open Profile enabled (no InMail credit required)
Open Profile lets you connect with Premium users who are open to networking without using InMail credits or exceeding connection request limits.
5. Group Messages
If you share a LinkedIn Group with someone, you can message them directly, even if you're not connected.
Best for:
Initiating conversations with group members.
Following up after group discussions or LinkedIn Events.
LinkedIn Message Limits:
Free Accounts: Unlimited messages within groups you're a member of
Premium Accounts: Unlimited messages within groups you're a member of
It enables warm outreach based on shared interests, eliminating the need for InMail or connection requests.
Now that we've explored the different types of LinkedIn messages and how to utilize them effectively, let's understand LinkedIn’s profile visit and search restrictions to ensure compliance.
Essential Considerations for Profile Visit and Search Restrictions
LinkedIn tracks profile visits and search activity to maintain the quality of its platform. Excessive use or suspicious behavior can lead to restrictions. Knowing these limits helps you avoid penalties that could disrupt your outreach efforts.
Excessive Profile Visits: LinkedIn tracks how often you visit profiles, particularly those of non-connections. If you visit too many profiles too quickly, LinkedIn may flag your account and restrict your ability to view further profiles.
Overuse of Search Functionality: LinkedIn also monitors search activity. Conducting too many searches in a short period, especially comprehensive searches, can result in temporary restrictions on your search capabilities.
Profile Visibility: Frequent and excessive activity can result in LinkedIn lowering your profile's visibility, reducing your chances of being discovered by others.
Account Throttling: LinkedIn may impose temporary limits on actions, such as sending connection requests or messages, if your activity exceeds acceptable thresholds.
Also Read: The Only LinkedIn Outreach Tool That Understands Sales Teams.
To avoid account restrictions, it’s essential to understand these key considerations. Now, let’s explore some best practices to help you stay within LinkedIn’s limits and ensure your outreach efforts remain effective.
Managing LinkedIn Messaging Limits and Automation Risks
Exceeding LinkedIn's limits can lead to various negative consequences for your account. Below are the key risks, along with tips on how to avoid them.
1. Risk of Account Restrictions
Exceeding LinkedIn’s messaging or connection request limits can lead to temporary restrictions on your account, such as being blocked from sending further messages or connection requests. This can stall your outreach efforts and limit engagement.
How to Avoid It:
Stay within limits: Regularly monitor your activity to ensure you're within LinkedIn’s acceptable usage limits.
Space out your actions: Avoid sending multiple requests or messages within a short period.
Personalize LinkedIn messages: Customize your outreach to increase engagement and reduce the reliance on mass messaging.
2. Impact on Profile Visibility
Excessive activity, whether through automated or manual actions, can lead LinkedIn to reduce the visibility of your profile. This means fewer people will see your profile, which lowers networking opportunities and the effectiveness of your outreach.
How to Avoid It:
Engage authentically: Focus on quality interactions over quantity.
Target specific profiles: Use automation to connect with the right audience without overwhelming your activity. Tools like Mailchimp and HubSpot are ideal for email outreach, allowing for personalized campaigns at scale, automating follow-ups, segmenting lists, and tracking engagement.
3. Decreased Engagement and Response Rates
Automated or generic messages can lead to lower engagement and response rates, as recipients may perceive your outreach as spam. LinkedIn prioritizes meaningful connections, so low engagement can make your outreach less effective.
How to Avoid It:
Personalize your outreach: Include the recipient’s name, company, or role to make your messages more relevant and engaging.
Track and adjust: Monitor response rates and change your approach based on what works best.
4. Potential for Spam Flags
Sending identical, poorly-targeted messages, whether manually or via automation, can lead to LinkedIn flagging your activity as spam. This can damage your reputation and reduce the effectiveness of your outreach.
How to Avoid It:
Avoid generic messages: Ensure all outreach is relevant and customized to each recipient.
Use LinkedIn’s native features: Native LinkedIn tools are less likely to trigger spam filters than third-party automation tools.
5. Risk of Account Suspension or Permanent Ban
Repeated violations of LinkedIn’s messaging limits or continuous spammy behavior may result in temporary or permanent suspension of your account, causing loss of access to LinkedIn features.
How to Avoid It:
Use automation responsibly: Limit the number of tasks automated tools perform.
Follow LinkedIn’s guidelines: Familiarize yourself with LinkedIn’s terms of service to stay compliant.
With Valley, you can amplify your LinkedIn presence and optimize your content strategy for greater visibility and engagement. Our AI-powered LinkedIn outreach automation can help you track impressions and maximize the reach of your content.
Also Read: Outreach Marketing: Benefits, Tips, and Examples
Managing LinkedIn messaging limits is only half the battle. If your account gets restricted, it's crucial to understand the recovery process and what to expect next.
Recovery Methods and Timeline for Lifting Restrictions
Once your account is restricted, LinkedIn may temporarily suspend your messaging capabilities. Here’s what to expect:
Recovery Process: During the restriction period, LinkedIn may impose a cool-down phase, during which your account is monitored. This could last from a few days to several weeks.
Timeline for Lifting Restrictions: The restrictions usually last between 1 week and 30 days, depending on the severity of the breach. Once the cool-down period is over, your messaging features will likely be restored, though your account may be under close observation.
Monitor Engagement: After the restriction is lifted, carefully monitor your engagement rates. Low response or acceptance rates can trigger another restriction, so ensure your outreach is relevant and personalized.
Also Read: LinkedIn Personalization at Scale: AI vs Manual – What Works in 2025?
Preventing Repeat Messaging Offenses: Key Strategies
To minimize the risk of facing future restrictions, it's essential to adopt best practices in your messaging behavior. By following these strategies, you can ensure your LinkedIn outreach remains compliant and effective:
Be Mindful of Frequency: For 1st-degree connections, aim to send no more than 50-100 messages per day. With InMail, stay within your monthly credit limit and avoid sending mass, generic messages.
Personalize Your Messages: Generic or copy-pasted messages are more likely to be flagged as spam. Tailor your messages to each recipient to improve response rates and avoid restrictions.
Maintain Good Engagement: Ensure you’re receiving positive interactions (responses and accepted connections). Low response rates or users marking your messages as spam can lead to restrictions.
Avoid Automation Tools: LinkedIn does not support the use of automation tools for mass messaging. Using these can trigger account suspension. Stick to manual outreach to control the volume of messaging.
Monitor Your Connection Requests: Send connection requests to carefully selected prospects, with a personal note, rather than sending a high volume of requests without meaningful connections.
An effective outreach strategy starts with the right tools. With Valley, you can automate and personalize your LinkedIn outreach to ensure every message is timely, relevant, and impactful. Reach out to learn how Valley can help scale your outreach and drive better results.
Turn Outreach Into Opportunity with Valley
Valley empowers busy sales teams to transform LinkedIn into a dynamic prospecting channel. With its platform, business founders, SDR managers, and other professionals can send personalized messages at scale, enhancing engagement and conversion rates. Ideal for SaaS, tech consulting, and high-ticket services, Valley helps you scale outreach, identify high-intent prospects, and build a stronger sales pipeline.
Here's how Valley helps in effective outreach:
Find High-Intent Prospects Faster: The platform uses signal-based prospecting to identify prospects showing buying intent. It tracks LinkedIn activities, company updates, and job changes to surface prospects when they're ready to engage.
Personalize Outreach at Scale: Valley's AI writes personalized LinkedIn messages and comments using prospect data, recent posts, and company news. It ensures every outreach feels human, relevant, and worthy of a reply.
Build a Stronger Sales Pipeline Effortlessly: Automates research, targeting, and messaging sequences. Your team spends less time prospecting manually and more time on qualified conversations that drive revenue growth.
Want to improve your outreach without crossing LinkedIn’s limits? Schedule a demo with Valley to see how you can automate responsibly, personalize at scale, and turn LinkedIn into a high-performing prospecting channel.
Note: Valley does not natively integrate with any CRM systems at this time, so users must manage integrations separately if needed.
Conclusion
Understanding the LinkedIn message limit is crucial for maintaining account health and running effective outreach. Knowing how many LinkedIn messages you can send per day helps you stay compliant and avoid restrictions. By personalizing messages and using automation responsibly, you can enhance engagement without violating LinkedIn’s guidelines.
Valley detects high-intent leads based on site visits or LinkedIn engagement. It then utilizes AI to research and generate personalized LinkedIn messages that align with your tone and style. This helps teams book more demos by turning signals into targeted outreach.
Discover how Valley’s smart automation and personalized outreach can transform your LinkedIn strategy into a scalable, high‑performing channel. Book a Demo to see how Valley can help your team send hyper-relevant, human-sounding messages that drive better results and engagement!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many connection requests can I send per day/week?
Most users are limited to 100 connection requests per week. This may vary slightly based on account reputation and engagement.
2. Do InMail credits expire?
Yes, LinkedIn InMail credits do have an expiration policy. Unused InMail credits roll over to the next month but must be used within 90 days. However, if the total number of InMail credits exceeds four times your monthly allotment, any excess credits will expire and not roll over.
3. How can I increase my connection request limit?
Improve your acceptance rate by sending targeted, personalized requests. Over time, LinkedIn may lift the cap slightly.
4. What’s a good acceptance rate for connection requests?
Aim for above 30-40%. A rate below 20% may indicate issues such as poor targeting, generic messaging, or an unoptimized profile, which could lead to account restrictions.
5. When does the connection request limit reset?
LinkedIn resets your weekly credit every Monday. If you hit your limit before then, wait until Monday to resume outreach.
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