LinkedIn API Guide 2025: Complete Integration Tutorial & Best Practices

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Introduction

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What is LinkedIn api?

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3 Solutions to Access to LinkedIn API

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LinkedIn API by Unipile (Video)

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API Reference Features

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LinkedIn API Python

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Key Features of LinkedIn API by Unipile

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LinkedIn API Use Cases

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LinkedIn API Integration

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FAQs

Unlock the potential of the LinkedIn developer API with our comprehensive guide. Whether you’re building tools for HR, SaaS, or dev-centric platforms, you’ll find actionable insights and practical advantages. From understanding the core architecture of the LinkedIn API to deploying real-world use cases, including seamless integration with LinkedIn developer tools, this guide walks you through everything you need to know.

In this LinkedIn API guide, you’ll learn:
– How to access LinkedIn API endpoints legally and efficiently
– Step-by-step LinkedIn API authentication process
– Real-world LinkedIn API integration examples
– Cost comparison: LinkedIn API vs alternatives
– Legal considerations for LinkedIn API usage

What is LinkedIn API?

The LinkedIn API (Application Programming Interface) is the essential bridge connecting LinkedIn’s professional network data with external applications. Whether you’re building recruitment software, CRM systems, or marketing automation tools, understanding LinkedIn API integration is crucial for accessing LinkedIn’s 900+ million professional profiles and company data. 

List all chats
    
curl --request GET \
     --url https://api1.unipile.com:13111/api/v1/chats \
     --header 'accept: application/json'
    
  
Retrieve a profile
    
curl --request GET \
     --url https://api1.unipile.com:13111/api/v1/users/identifier \
     --header 'accept: application/json'
    
  

Why do developers need LinkedIn API for their software?

User interface showing a unified profile view connected to LinkedIn API Classic, Recruiter, and Sales Navigator

The LinkedIn API is a set of programming interfaces that allows developers to integrate LinkedIn functionality into their applications. Think of the LinkedIn API as a secure gateway that lets your software communicate with LinkedIn’s platform to:

Retrieve LinkedIn profile data from users who grant permission
Send LinkedIn messages and InMails programmatically
Post content to LinkedIn on behalf of users
Access LinkedIn company information for business intelligence
Manage LinkedIn connections and invitations

Whether you’re building a CRM, ATS, or an outreach automation platform, LinkedIn integration enhances your product’s capabilities around talent acquisition, business connections, and targeted marketing. 

LinkedIn API Integration Across Products

User interface showing a unified profile view connected to LinkedIn API Classic, Recruiter, and Sales Navigator

A key advantage of the LinkedIn API is its ability to work across LinkedIn’s ecosystem:

LinkedIn Classic: Access standard profiles, messaging, and networking features
LinkedIn Recruiter: Integrate with talent acquisition tools, candidate management, and hiring workflows
LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Connect with lead generation, prospect tracking, and sales intelligence features

This multi-product integration capability allows developers to build comprehensive solutions that leverage LinkedIn’s full professional ecosystem, creating a unified experience for users across different LinkedIn environments.

Integrate LinkedIn Classic, Recruiter, and Sales Navigator accounts into your app

LinkedIn API vs Web Scraping: What’s the Difference?

Feature LinkedIn API Web Scraping
Legal Status OK Official & Legal No Against ToS
Data Reliability OK Structured JSON No HTML parsing
Account Safety OK Protected No Risk of bans
Maintenance OK Stable endpoints No Breaks with UI changes

Official LinkedIn API Types: Which One Do You Need?

LinkedIn offers several official APIs through their Partner Program. Here’s what each LinkedIn API endpoint provides:

Core LinkedIn APIs Available to Partners:

1. LinkedIn Profile API
– Purpose: Retrieve user profile information
– Use cases: CRM enrichment, user authentication
– Data available: Name, headline, location, experience
– Access level: Partner Program required

2. LinkedIn Connections API
– Purpose: Access user’s professional network
– Use cases: Network analysis, connection recommendations
– Limitations: Requires explicit user consent
– Best for: Recruitment and networking tools

3. LinkedIn Share API
– Purpose: Post content on behalf of users
– Use cases: Social media management, content automation
– Content types: Text posts, images, videos, articles
– Rate limits: Varies by partner tier

4. LinkedIn Organization API
– Purpose: Manage company pages and data
– Use cases: Company profile management, employee insights
– Access requirements: Company admin permissions
– Data scope: Company info, employee count, industry

5. LinkedIn UGC (User Generated Content) API
– Purpose: Handle rich media content
– Use cases: Advanced content publishing, media management
– Supported formats: Images, videos, documents
– Integration complexity: High

6. LinkedIn Compliance API
– Purpose: Report policy violations and content issues
– Use cases: Content moderation, compliance reporting
– Access level: Restricted to specific partners
– Usage: Primarily for large platforms

Important: LinkedIn removed public API access in 2015. All LinkedIn API access now requires:
– Approval through LinkedIn Partner Program
– Specific use case justification
– Compliance with LinkedIn’s developer policies
– Ongoing partnership maintenance

LinkedIn API Approval Process: What to Expect

Timeline: 3-6 months average
Approval rate: Less than 10% of applications
Requirements:
– Existing product with proven user base
– Clear value proposition for LinkedIn users
– Compliance with data privacy regulations
– Technical integration capabilities

LinkedIn API Access: Who Can Use It and How to Get Approved?

Current LinkedIn API Access Policy (2025)

LinkedIn no longer provides public access to its APIs. Since 2015, all LinkedIn API access requires joining the LinkedIn Partner Program. This means individual developers cannot simply create an app and start using LinkedIn APIs.

1. Marketing Developer Program
Target audience: Marketing technology companies
LinkedIn API access: Advertising APIs, Campaign Management
Requirements: Proven marketing platform with significant user base

2. Sales Navigator Solutions
Target audience: Sales technology providers
LinkedIn API access: Sales Navigator data, lead management
Requirements: Existing sales platform with enterprise clients

3. Talent Solutions Partnership
Target audience: HR technology and ATS providers
LinkedIn API: Recruiter APIs, job posting, candidate management
Requirements: Established HR/recruiting platform

4. LinkedIn Learning Partner Program
– Target audience: Learning management system providers
LinkedIn API access: Learning content, progress tracking
Requirements: Educational technology platform

What You Can and Can’t Do with LinkedIn APIs: DIY Approach

The LinkedIn API allows you to access structured data, post content, and manage profiles, but it comes with restrictions. You may face rate limits, need user permissions, and only gain access to certain features if you’re a partner. The approval process can be time-consuming and limit your ability to implement custom solutions without LinkedIn’s authorization code. Additionally, certain query parameters and headers must be correctly configured to ensure smooth integration and proper response handling.

3 Ways to Access LinkedIn Data: Official API vs Alternatives (2025 Comparison)

Accessing LinkedIn data for your application can be challenging due to LinkedIn’s restricted API access. Here are three proven approaches, with a detailed comparison to help you choose the best solution for your needs.
There are several ways to access LinkedIn data to perform tasks such as searching for profiles, searching for companies, sending invitations, sending voice notes, or sending InMails. By comparing features, effort, cost, and flexibility, this table helps you clearly evaluate what’s best for your team. Especially if you’re building software at scale, the choice of API strategy directly impacts your product roadmap, maintenance cost, and time-to-market. Discover main approaches to accessing LinkedIn’s API:

LinkedIn API Comparison Table
Quick Comparison: LinkedIn Data Access Methods
LinkedIn Partners Do It Yourself Approach Unipile API
Features Few like only sync Inmails on Sales navigator Reverse by yourself Full features
Ease of Setup - Requires significant coding effort No coding, guided setup with dashboard
Time to Implement Weeks to months Months Days to weeks
Cost - Low cost, High dev time Affordable with fixed pricing
Support for Developers Limited to LinkedIn Partners Community-driven Full API docs, personalized assistance
Maintenance - Effort required for manual updates Automatic updates included
Additional Capabilities Limited to LinkedIn features Limited to LinkedIn features Unified API: 1 integration for LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Telegram, email, etc.
LinkedIn API Comparison Table
Features
LinkedIn Partners Few like only sync Inmails on Sales navigator
Do It Yourself Approach Reverse by yourself
Unipile API Full features
Ease of Setup
LinkedIn Partners -
Do It Yourself Approach Requires significant coding effort
Unipile API No coding, guided setup with dashboard
Time to Implement
LinkedIn Partners Weeks to months
Do It Yourself Approach Weeks to months
Unipile API Days to weeks
Cost
LinkedIn Partners -
Do It Yourself Approach Low cost, High dev time
Unipile API Affordable with fixed pricing
Support for Developers
LinkedIn Partners Limited to LinkedIn Partners
Do It Yourself Approach Community-driven
Unipile API Full API docs, personalized assistance
Maintenance
LinkedIn Partners -
Do It Yourself Approach Effort required for manual updates
Unipile API Automatic updates included
Additional Capabilities
LinkedIn Partners Limited to LinkedIn features
Do It Yourself Approach Limited to LinkedIn features
Unipile API Unified API: 1 integration for LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Telegram, email, etc.

1. LinkedIn API by Unipile (Recommended for Most Businesses)

Why Choose Unipile’s LinkedIn API?

Unipile provides a production-ready LinkedIn API that mirrors official LinkedIn functionality without the complexity of the Partner Program. Our approach focuses on:
Rapid deployment: Get started in hours, not months
Full feature access: All LinkedIn functions available
Reliable infrastructure: 99.9% uptime with automatic scaling
Legal compliance: Respects LinkedIn’s rate limits and user policies
– Developer-friendly: RESTful API with comprehensive documentation

How Unipile’s LinkedIn API Works

Unlike traditional web scraping, Unipile’s LinkedIn API:
1. Authenticates users through secure OAuth-like flow
2. Mirrors real user behavior to ensure account safety
3. Provides structured data in JSON format
4. Handles rate limiting automatically
5. Maintains session persistence for reliable access

1. Create Your Unipile Account

2. Access Your Dashboard

Unipile dashboard showing connected accounts LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Gmail, and IMAP with operational status

3. Get your DSN

Unipile dashboard highlighting the DSN address

Get your DSN (Data Source Name) which must be used by for your requests.

4. Generate a token

Form interface to generate an access token with permission scopes and expiration settings

5. Connect LinkedIn Account

Sign-in form for LinkedIn account with options to authenticate via credentials or cookies

6. Integrate All Features Needed

You can experiment with every feature without writing a single line of code directly in the API Reference section of the documentation. Specify your DSN and your token for the route you wish to use, and then interactively fill in the parameters.

Unipile profile view showing LinkedIn and email actions such as invitation sent, InMail sent, comment sent, and message sent

Video: How to Connect and Use the LinkedIn API with Unipile

Quick walkthrough to connect a LinkedIn account and start syncing inboxes or retrieving profiles via API.

2. Official LinkedIn API (For Enterprise Partners Only)

LinkedIn Official API: The Complete Developer Guide

While LinkedIn’s official API offers the most comprehensive and legally secure access to LinkedIn data, it comes with significant barriers to entry that make it unsuitable for most developers and businesses. LinkedIn’s API offers powerful integration options but is tightly controlled. Since 2015, public access was removed, and access is now only available to LinkedIn Partners. Approved partners gain access to specific APIs, such as the Profile API, Connections API, and UGC API, among others, which allow for profile enrichment, content sharing, and network connections.

To build an application, developers must create a LinkedIn developer account. The complexity of using LinkedIn’s APIs, which are constructed on the Rest.li framework, requires understanding the provided library that simplifies requests and handles authentication for accessing LinkedIn’s services.

To use LinkedIn’s API, developers must go through LinkedIn’s OAuth process. Two key methods include:

  1. Sign In with LinkedIn: Requires user permission for profile data.
  2. Profile API: Reserved for approved partners, providing more extensive access to profile data.

OAuth Process for Access

To integrate with LinkedIn’s APIs, you need to create an application using a LinkedIn developer account. Here’s a streamlined process for getting started:

    • Create a LinkedIn Developer Account: Go to the LinkedIn Developer website and sign in with your LinkedIn credentials. Navigate to the “My Apps” section and create a new app.
    • Set Up Your Application: Fill in the required information, including the app name, description, and OAuth 2.0 Redirect URLs. Make sure to review and accept LinkedIn’s API Terms of Use and Developer Program Agreement.
    • Get Your API Keys: Once your app is created, you’ll receive a Client ID and Client Secret, which are essential for making API requests. Keep these keys secure, as they authenticate your app.
    • Request API Access: Access to LinkedIn’s more powerful APIs (like those for retrieving detailed profile data) requires approval from LinkedIn. Be prepared for this to take time, as LinkedIn is selective in granting API access.

Get Approved by LinkedIn Team

The process of getting this approval is slow and can be frustrating for businesses, especially startups.

    • Strict Usage Policies: LinkedIn has strict guidelines for API use, including data privacy and usage restrictions.
    • Limited Capabilities: Even after approval, the LinkedIn API has limitations on what data can be retrieved. For instance, you can only retrieve profile data using a profile ID, not a URL slug.
    • Complex Integration: Integrating LinkedIn’s API can be complex, requiring thorough understanding and handling of OAuth for authentication.

Obtain Access Tokens

Use your application’s Client ID and Client Secret to request an access token. This token is required for making authenticated API calls.

const getAccessToken = async () => {
    const LI_ACCESS_TOKEN_EXCHANGE_URL = 'https://www.linkedin.com/oauth/v2/accessToken';
    const response = await axios.post(LI_ACCESS_TOKEN_EXCHANGE_URL, {
        params: {
            grant_type: 'client_credentials',
            client_id: 'your-client-id',
            client_secret: 'your-client-secret'
        }
    });
    return response.data.access_token;
};

Fetch Profile Data

Start making API requests to retrieve profile data. LinkedIn API requires a profile ID for data retrieval.

const getProfile = async (accessToken, profileId) => {
    const LI_PROFILE_API_ENDPOINT = `https://api.linkedin.com/v2/people/${profileId}`;
    const response = await axios.get(LI_PROFILE_API_ENDPOINT, {
        headers: {
            'Authorization': `Bearer ${accessToken}`
        }
    });
    return response.data;
};

Note

It’s crucial to note that LinkedIn’s official API only allows fetching profile data using a profile ID. This means that if you only have a LinkedIn profile URL or slug, the official API won’t be helpful. In such cases, using an unofficial API, like ScrapIn API, can be a solution, as it enables the retrieval of LinkedIn data using both the profile ID and profile URL.

LinkedIn Official API Limitations

Major restrictions include:
🔻 Partner Program requirement: Must be approved LinkedIn partner
🔻 Limited data access: Only basic profile information available
🔻 Strict rate limits: 500 API calls per user per day
🔻 No profile URL support: Can only fetch profiles by LinkedIn ID
🔻 Approval timeline: 3-6 months average wait time
🔻 Ongoing compliance: Regular audits and policy updates

3. DIY LinkedIn Integration (Not Recommended)

If the official LinkedIn API doesn’t meet your needs, particularly when you need to retrieve data using a LinkedIn profile URL or slug, unofficial APIs found on platforms like GitHub can serve as an alternative. These libraries allow you to interact with LinkedIn, including retrieving profile data and more, without the restrictions imposed by the official API. This approach offers greater flexibility for developers seeking additional LinkedIn functionality.

However, these integrations are often long, complex, and unofficial, meaning there is no official support available. Developers should expect numerous iterations and challenges during implementation. Additionally, using LinkedIn as an OAuth provider has its limitations, as it does not supply the key data many applications need, specifically the user’s LinkedIn profile information.

 

Better Alternatives to DIY LinkedIn API Integration

Instead of building your own LinkedIn scraper, consider:
1.Unipile LinkedIn API: Production-ready with legal compliance
2.Official LinkedIn Partner Program: For enterprise applications

LinkedIn Specific

Account connection

Messages

Users/Profiles

Posts/Comments

Specific

Webhooks

Inboxes

Hosted Auth: White label to connect your end users ✓
Custom auth: connect user with credentials, cookies, your chrome extension ✓
Send & Reply Messages ✓
Send an InMail ✓
List Messages, Chats & Attendees ✓
List Reactions ✓
Read Receipts ✓
Send Files attachments ✓
Receive Files attachments ✓
Send Voice Notes ✓
Send Embed Video ✓
Retrieve a Profile ✓
Retrieve & Edit own profile ✓
List all relations & Followers ✓
List all Invitations Sent & Received ✓
Handle & Cancel a received Invitation ✓
Send an Invitation ✓
Cancel an Invitation ✓
List all posts, comments, reactions ✓
Retrieve & Create a post ✓
List all comments from a post ✓
List all posts, comments, reactions ✓
Comment a post ✓
List all reactions from a post ✓
Add a reaction to a post, comment ✓
Retrieve Recruiter hiring projects ✓
Perform an action with a user profile ✓
Retrieve a company profile ✓
Get raw data from any endpoint ✓
Get inmail credit balance ✓
Retrieve LinkedIn search parameters ✓
Perform LinkedIn search ✓
List all job postings ✓
Create a job posting ✓
Get job posting ✓
Publish a job posting ✓
Solve a job publishing checkpoint ✓
Close a job posting ✓
List all applicants to a job posting ✓
Get a specific applicant to a job posting ✓
Download the resume of a job applicant ✓
Endorse a user profile specific skill ✓
Account status ✓
New Message ✓
New Reaction / Read / Event ✓
LinkedIn Classic Inbox ✓
Sales Navigator Inbox ✓
LinkedIn Recruiter Inbox ✓
LinkedIn Company Page ✓
Account Connection
✓
Hosted Auth: White label to connect your end users
✓
Custom auth: connect user with credentials, cookies, your chrome extension
Messages
✓
Send & Reply Messages
✓
Send an InMail
✓
List Messages, Chats & Attendees
✓
List Reactions
✓
Read Receipts
✓
Send Files attachments
✓
Receive Files attachments API
✓
Send Voice Notes
✓
Send Embed Video
Users/Profiles
✓
Retrieve a Profile
✓
Retrieve & Edit own profile
✓
List all relations & Followers
✓
List all Invitations Sent & Received
✓
Handle & Cancel a received Invitation
✓
Send an Invitation
✓
Cancel an Invitation
✓
List all posts, comments, reactions
Posts
✓
Retrieve & Create a post
✓
List all comments from a post
✓
List all posts, comments, reactions
✓
Comment a post
✓
List all reactions from a post
✓
Add a reaction to a post, comment
Webhooks
✓
Account status
✓
New Message
✓
New Reaction / Read / Event
Specific
✓
Retrieve Recruiter hiring projects
✓
Perform an action with a user profile
✓
Retrieve a company profile
✓
Get raw data from any endpoint (Inbox Search, Following someone, Get own profile viewers, Social Selling Index, Retrieve posts from Feed)
✓
Get inmail credit balance
✓
Retrieve LinkedIn search parameters
✓
Perform Linkedin search
✓
List all job postings
✓
Create a job posting
✓
Get job posting
✓
Publish a job posting
✓
Solve a job publishing checkpoint
✓
Close a job posting
✓
List all applicants to a job posting
✓
Get a specific applicant to a job posting
✓
Download the resume of a job applicant
✓
Endorse a user profile specific skill
Inboxes
✓
LinkedIn Classic Inbox
✓
Sales Navigator Inbox
✓
LinkedIn Recruiter Inbox
✓
LinkedIn Company Page

LinkedIn API Python Integration: Quick Start with Unipile

If you’re a Python developer and want to integrate LinkedIn into your software, whether it’s a CRM, ATS, or outreach tool, here’s how you can quickly get started. Below is a Python example to list all connected LinkedIn accounts using the Unipile API. No SDK needed, just Python and requests.

List all accounts
    
import requests

url = "https://api1.unipile.com:13111/api/v1/accounts"

headers = {"accept": "application/json"}

response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)

print(response.text)
    
  

Key Features of LinkedIn API by Unipile

Unified inbox interface with contacts from WhatsApp, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Outlook

List All Chats

Inbox interface showing multichannel messages for user Sarah Brown, with contacts via LinkedIn and WhatsApp
List all chats
    
curl --request GET \
     --url https://api1.unipile.com:13111/api/v1/chats \
     --header 'accept: application/json'
    
  

This feature enables the retrieval of chat messages from a user’s LinkedIn account, offering various filters to search for specific conversations based on criteria like the chat partner, date, or keywords within the chat content.

Advantages: Streamlines the process of chat message search and organization within LinkedIn, saves time by eliminating the need for manual filtering, and enhances user engagement by promptly surfacing relevant conversations.

Unified inbox showing a LinkedIn message exchange with Mery Yard, integrating LinkedIn, Instagram, and Gmail

Start New Chat

list email gmail api
Start a new chat
    
curl --request POST \
     --url https://api1.unipile.com:13111/api/v1/chats \
     --header 'accept: application/json' \
     --header 'content-type: multipart/form-data'
    
  

Enables the initiation of a new chat message within an application, providing the necessary fields such as the recipient, message content, and the option to include attachments if supported.

Advantages: Facilitates seamless chat composition directly within the application, enhances workflow efficiency, and allows for the customization of message templates to maintain consistent communication branding.

Retrieve a profile

LinkedIn activity feed showing posts, shares, and connection events for a user profile.
Retrieve a profile
    
curl --request GET \
     --url https://api1.unipile.com:13111/api/v1/users/identifier \
     --header 'accept: application/json'
    
  

This API function facilitates the retrieval of user profiles, enabling detailed access to user information. You can gather a wealth of public profile information, such as the user’s email, job title, company, phone number, and address, whenever they are provided and publicly available.
The advantage of this feature is that it allows you to consolidate all available data within your own software, providing the opportunity to utilize it for automation, in-depth analysis, or other strategic initiatives.

How Can Developers Leverage LinkedIn API for Advanced Features?

Search profile Extract data Send invite Detect acceptance Send voice note Sync with CRM

Integrating advanced LinkedIn features into your applications is now a streamlined process with Unipile’s ready-to-use code snippets. Developers can sidestep the complexities of building from the ground up, using these pre-crafted codes to access the full capabilities of the LinkedIn API. Whether for automating profile data retrieval, analyzing network activities, or syncing with other systems, Unipile’s robust code repository acts as a catalyst for quick and smooth integration. Additionally, developers can find efficient alternatives for handling redirected authentication flows, managing return responses, and ensuring seamless end-to-end data synchronization. The process is further optimized by using older API versions when needed, setting appropriate state parameters, and leveraging precise order execution to maintain stability. By following best practices, developers can ensure that requests are processed within the expected seconds, preventing unnecessary delays.

Automate LinkedIn Outreach with Intelligent Sequences

CRM automated sequence builder with LinkedIn, Email, and WhatsApp steps

Automate your LinkedIn outreach by compiling a list of profiles to send invitations with a personalized touch.

1. Search for profiles using LinkedIn or LinkedIn Sales Navigator, apply filters, and copy the search URL.
2. Fetch raw data from the URL, handle pagination, and abide by LinkedIn’s rate limits.
3. Schedule and send invitations, monitor for LinkedIn’s acceptance limits, and store data for subsequent actions.

Here’s how the automation could works:

1. Profile Discovery & Targeting
Your users can search LinkedIn or Sales Navigator using advanced filters (job title, company size, region, etc.). Once their ideal audience is identified, they simply copy the search URL, no complex scraping, just clean targeting.

2. Raw Data Extraction & Control
Our API fetches the search results, handles pagination, and complies with LinkedIn’s rate limits. It’s optimized to capture key profile data (name, headline, LinkedIn ID, etc.) that fuels your outreach logic — without violating platform restrictions.

3. Automated Sequence Execution
From the moment a profile is selected, Unipile can launch a multi-channel sequence:

  • LinkedIn Invitation: Sent automatically with a customized message.

  • Follow-up LinkedIn Message: Scheduled a few days later based on acceptance detection.

  • Email Follow-up: Triggered if no response on LinkedIn.

  • WhatsApp Reminder: Optional step for warm leads, fully integrated.

4. Multi-step Customization (No-Code)
Users can drag and drop steps like:

    • Send a voice note on LinkedIn

    • Add a reaction or comment to a post

    • Send an InMail or follow-up email

    • Loop steps or stop sequence based on response detection

Extract List Search

CRM interface showing search filters by keyword, region, industry, and company size

Leverage the advanced features of LinkedIn, LinkedIn Recruiter, and LinkedIn Sales Navigator to build custom functionalities with the ‘Get raw data’ route (Magic route) using connected accounts.

1. Capture LinkedIn requests via browser tools to identify the desired data endpoint.
2. Use the provided cURL examples to extract people search results or Sales Navigator searches.
3. Integrate the raw data into your application, customizing for keywords and pagination.

Detecting Accepted Invitations

send invitation linkedin api

Track when your LinkedIn invitations are accepted to trigger follow-up actions without specific webhooks.

1. Use the ‘new message’ webhook to detect acceptances from invitations with messages.
2. Periodically check the list of sent invitations for updates, implying acceptance or rejection.
2. Record sent invitations and maintain comparison efficiency.

LinkedIn API integration showing invitation accepted webhook with John Rodriguez profile
Conversation showing a 15-second voice message

Voice Note Integration

send message linkedin api

Incorporating LinkedIn’s voice note feature into your software can greatly enhance user interaction and engagement. This integration allows users to easily send and receive voice messages, offering a more personal and effective way to communicate.

Get LinkedIn Posts

send invitation linkedin api

Access your users’ latest LinkedIn posts directly in your app. Retrieve titles, timestamps, and content snippets to power real-time dashboards, CRM cards, or automated alerts.

LinkedIn activity feed showing posts, shares, and connection events for a user profile.

LinkedIn API Use Cases: Unleashing the Potential

The LinkedIn API serves as a transformative tool, reshaping the landscape for individuals and organizations across various industries. Let’s delve into two compelling use cases that showcase the day-to-day impact of  LinkedIn API integration.

To recruit and sell faster, your users need to respond promptly to messages. That’s where real-time synchronization of received and sent messages comes into play. With this capability, they are always in the know and can reply promptly to leads, candidates, and clients. With the API, you can easily connect an unlimited number of LinkedIn accounts per user.

API for LinkedIn Recruiter

ATS interface showing candidates list with jobs, LinkedIn and WhatsApp sources, and live chat panel for recruitment conversations

In the realm of recruitment, the Unipile’s LinkedIn API is a transformative tool, reshaping the landscape for hiring professionals. The API offers a suite of features tailored to meet the unique needs of the recruitment industry.

Consider a bustling recruitment agency, tasked with identifying top talent for a range of clients. The API for LinkedIn Recruiter and others streamlines candidate targeting, automates tedious tasks, and provides real-time insights, making it a versatile tool that complements a wide range of scenarios envisioned by software publishers.

API for LinkedIn Sales Navigator

CRM pipeline with integrated LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and Gmail API for opportunities management

Incorporating LinkedIn Sales Navigator into your CRM transforms sales strategies by providing direct access to valuable insights and connections. This fusion allows for personalized engagement, tailored to the unique needs and interests of each prospect. It streamlines the sales process by bringing comprehensive LinkedIn data into the CRM environment, enabling teams to act on precise, up-to-date information and forge stronger relationships. By adopting this integrated approach, CRM providers have observed a notable increase in user retention and satisfaction, underscoring the tangible value of this powerful combination.

Start Building with LinkedIn API Today

After reading this comprehensive guide, you should have a clear understanding of your LinkedIn API options. Here’s our recommendation based on your situation:

For Most Businesses: Start with Unipile

Quick setup: Get started in hours, not months
Full features: Access all LinkedIn functionality
Predictable costs: Transparent pricing starting at $49/month
Expert support: Dedicated technical assistance

For Enterprise Partners: Apply to LinkedIn

Official support: Direct relationship with LinkedIn
Maximum compliance: Fully legal and compliant
Enterprise features: Advanced partnership benefits

Benefits of LinkedIn API Integration for Software Publishers

By seamlessly integrating the LinkedIn API, professionals can unlock the potential, opening doors for various industries. This integration is a significant asset for their clients, granting easy access to LinkedIn’s vast professional data, streamlining the integration process, and optimizing the use of LinkedIn API for various purposes.

Discover all the technical features and advantages within this comprehensive resource.

Linkedin API Integration: Save Time and Get Support

Integrating LinkedIn with Unipile allows publishers to effortlessly tap into a vast professional network, enrich user engagement, and elevate their platform’s value with streamlined connectivity features.

Unipile dashboard showing linked messaging and email accounts with operational status

Connect to Unipile Dashboard

Start by linking user accounts from your admin space:

– Create your app in the Unipile Dashboard

– Generate your API key

– Let your users authenticate (Gmail, Outlook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, etc.)

– Accounts will appear in your dashboard in real-time with status tracking

check icon Secure OAuth or credential-based login

check icon Supports multiple providers per user

Optimize Your Integration with Experts Support

1 Icon

Arrange a Founders Meeting
Secure a meeting with our founders (CTO & CEO) on demand to align on technical and product strategy before your integration.

deliverability Icon

Connect with Live Support
As you integrate, tap into our live support, available through chat or video, to guide you every step of the way.

1 Icon

Arrange a Founders Meeting
Secure a meeting with our founders (CTO & CEO) on demand to align on technical and product strategy before your integration.

deliverability Icon

Connect with Live Support
As you integrate, tap into our live support, available through chat or video, to guide you every step of the way.

Article’s author: LinkedIn Guide

JC

JULIEN CREPIEUX

Julien is the CEO and Co-founder of Unipile and Editor-in-Chief of our publications. Always attentive to our clients’ needs, he strives to seamlessly integrate innovative solutions that drive efficiency and value.

LinkedIn API FAQ

Is the LinkedIn API free to use?

For those asking, Is the LinkedIn API free?, the answer is partially. While basic access to limited data is available at no cost, advanced features such as People Profile or Marketing API require paid plans and partner approvals.

The LinkedIn API itself has different pricing models depending on your access method:
Official LinkedIn API: Free for approved partners, but requires expensive partnership program
Unipile LinkedIn API: Starts at $49/month with transparent pricing
DIY Solutions: Free but with high hidden costs (development time, maintenance, legal risks)
For most businesses, third-party solutions like Unipile offer the best value proposition.

What programming languages support LinkedIn API?

LinkedIn API can be used with any programming language that supports HTTP requests:
Most popular languages:
Python: Extensive libraries and examples available
JavaScript/Node.js: Great for web applications
PHP: Popular for WordPress and web development
ava: Enterprise applications and Android development
C#/.NET: Microsoft ecosystem integration
uby: Rapid prototyping and web applications

What can the LinkedIn API do?

The LinkedIn API allows developers to integrate LinkedIn features into their applications. Common functionalities include retrieving user profiles, sharing posts, accessing company pages, and integrating LinkedIn Ads or Sales Navigator features.

How can I use the LinkedIn API with Python ?

To use the LinkedIn API with Python, you’ll need an API provider that enables access to LinkedIn endpoints—since LinkedIn’s official API is highly restricted and reserved for partners only. With Unipile, you can bypass these limitations and interact with LinkedIn programmatically, without building everything from scratch.

How can I get LinkedIn posts using API?

To learn how to efficiently get LinkedIn posts using API, including step-by-step instructions and integration tips, check out our detailed guide here: How to Get LinkedIn Posts Using API.

What LinkedIn data can be pulled from their API?

You can pull various types of data using the LinkedIn API, including:

  • User profile information (name, headline, location, etc.).
  • Posts and shares from a user’s LinkedIn feed.
  • Company information if you have proper permissions.
  • Engagement metrics like comments, likes, and shares on posts.

Note that the specific data available depends on LinkedIn’s API tiers and your permissions. For a detailed breakdown of LinkedIn data pull from API, visit the full article on what LinkedIn data can be pulled from their API.

What functionalities does the Unipile API provide?

The Unipile API streamlines LinkedIn integration by generating an authorization link, enabling users to connect LinkedIn accounts, manage communications, and access various LinkedIn features directly. This process eliminates the need for complex code, making integration fast and efficient.

How much does LinkedIn Recruiter API cost?

The LinkedIn Recruiter API is generally available to LinkedIn Recruiter customers, and its cost is integrated into the LinkedIn Recruiter subscription plans. The exact pricing can vary based on the number of licenses, features needed, and specific integration requirements. For exact pricing details, it is best to contact LinkedIn’s sales team.

 

What data can I extract from LinkedIn API?

Available data depends on your access method and user permissions:
Profile Data:
Name, headline, location
Work experience and education
Skills and endorsements
Contact information (if shared)
Profile photo and background

Activity Data:
Posts and articles
Comments and reactions
Connection updates

Job changes and announcements

Network Data:
Connections list
Mutual connections
Follower count
Network activity

Are there rate limits for LinkedIn API?

LinkedIn imposes several restrictions on the use of its API to protect user privacy and maintain the quality of its data. Only approved developers can access the full range of API features, and most data interactions require explicit user consent. Rate limits also apply, which restrict the number of requests an application can make within a given timeframe.

LinkedIn API rate limits:
Official LinkedIn API:
500 calls per user per day

Varies by endpoint and partner tier

Unipile LinkedIn API:
Respects LinkedIn’s natural usage patterns
Automatic rate limiting to prevent account issues

Scales with your subscription plan

DIY Solutions:
No official limits, but high risk of detection and banning

You can find all LinkedIn limits here

 

How do I authenticate users with LinkedIn API?

It depends on the API provider. Here’s a comparison between LinkedIn’s official OAuth and Unipile’s simplified approach:

Unipile LinkedIn API:

// Simple token-based authentication
const response = await fetch('https://api.unipile.com/v1/profiles', {
  headers: {
    'Authorization': 'Bearer your-api-token',
    'X-DSN': 'your-dsn-endpoint'
  }
});

  

How do I get LinkedIn API access in 2025?

There are three main paths to LinkedIn API access:
1. LinkedIn Partner Program (3-6 months, enterprise only)
2. Third-party API providers (1-3 days, most businesses)
3. DIY development (not recommended for production)

To get a fast access, you need to create a LinkedIn Developer account and register your application. Depending on the data and level of access you require, you may need to go through LinkedIn’s partner application process, which can involve submitting your use case for review. Alternatively, you can connect to the Unipile dashboard for simplified access and management.

What specific rate limits or data usage caps are imposed on the LinkedIn API? Are there any limitations on certain data fields or API endpoints?

The limitations and constraints of the LinkedIn API are specified by LinkedIn itself, and they vary according to the endpoints and types of usage allowed.

How does the LinkedIn API ensure data security and compliance, especially with regard to privacy laws like GDPR?

Unipile can only retrieve public user data from LinkedIn, adhering to privacy and data protection regulations, including laws like GDPR, to ensure the security of sensitive user information. Learn more about all features LinkedIn API.

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