LinkedIn Basics
Yasmina Akni Ebourki
Last updated: Oct 16, 2024
Want to download your LinkedIn contacts to Excel or a CSV file?
Whether for backup, a CRM, or outreach, exporting gives you full control of your connections.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to export LinkedIn contacts and how to make the most of your exported data.
TL;DR: Exporting LinkedIn contacts is simple:
Go to your LinkedIn Settings
Click on “Get a copy of your data”.
Select “Connections” from the list
Download the CSV file containing your contacts
Why Export Your LinkedIn Contacts?
Exporting your LinkedIn contacts might seem unnecessary since you can always find them on the platform, but let me explain why it’s actually a smart move.
Here’s why:
Offline access: Keep a secure copy of names, job titles, and email addresses (when available) in case your account is ever restricted or LinkedIn experiences issues.
Business continuity: Maintain access to your professional network, independently of LinkedIn.
Multichannel outreach: Use your contact list in other tools like email marketing platforms, CRMs, or sales funnels.
Future-proofing: Even if you don’t need it today, having an offline list prepares you for future campaigns or networking needs.
Exporting your contacts gives you control over your network, and protects one of your most valuable business assets.
Key Considerations Before Downloading Your LinkedIn contacts
Before you export your LinkedIn contacts, take a moment to clarify your goal.
Are you planning to:
Add them to a CRM?
Launch an email campaign?
Analyze the structure of your network?
Knowing your intent will help you use the data more effectively.
Keep in mind:
Email addresses are limited: LinkedIn only includes emails for first-degree connections who’ve agreed to share them.
Some details may be missing: Not all profile info is exportable, so set realistic expectations.
To get the most from your list:
Segment your contacts into categories like:
High-priority leads
Industry peers
Referral sources
This helps you tailor your outreach and strengthen the connections that matter most.
Strategic organization makes your contact list more actionable, and your efforts more impactful.
Step-by-Step Guide to Export LinkedIn Contacts
Now, let’s get into how to export your LinkedIn contacts to an Excel file.
How to Access LinkedIn Settings for Data Export
Go to LinkedIn Settings:
Start from your LinkedIn homepage.
Click on your profile picture at the top right to open the dropdown menu.
Select Settings & Privacy; this will open a new page with a menu on the left.
Navigate to Data Privacy:
In the left-hand menu, scroll down to the Data Privacy section (fourth option down).
Within this section, look for the How LinkedIn uses your data tab.
Select Get a copy of your data to access the export options.
Choose Data to Export:
In the export settings, you’ll see a list of data types you can download.
To export contacts, select Connections and enter your email to confirm.
Submit Your Request:
After confirming your email, click Done to submit the request.
LinkedIn will send you a notification that your data is being prepared.
Receive and Download the File:
Once ready, LinkedIn will email you a link to download the file.
The exported contacts will be in CSV format, compatible with Excel and other spreadsheet programs.
Once it’s ready, you’ll receive an email with a link to download the file, which will contain your contacts in CSV format.
How to Select the Right Data to Export on LinkedIn?
When exporting data from LinkedIn, you'll have various options, but it's best to focus on the essentials to avoid clutter. Here's what to expect:
Key Data: Your exported file will typically include:
Name
LinkedIn profile URL
Email (if shared by the contact)
Company
Job title
Date of connection
Data Cleanup: LinkedIn’s export tool can generate inconsistencies (e.g., variations in capitalization or incorrect branding), so manual cleanup is often necessary.
Email Limitations: You’ll only receive emails for first-degree connections who have chosen to share them. If emails are your priority, consider using tools like Phantom Buster for more complete data.
Export Limits: LinkedIn limits the number of contacts you can export. For standard users, it's around 80 contacts per request, and even premium users may face restrictions with larger networks.
If you have a large network, be prepared to reduce expectations or explore alternative methods to access all your data.
If you’re using external tools like Phantom Buster to scrape data, we also recommend enriching and verifying the results with an Email Finder like Dropcontact.
Dropcontact automatically updates scraped data based on a contact’s first name, last name, and company.
It uses real-time algorithms to generate verified contact details.
It's also the only 100% GDPR-compliant Email Finder on the market—so you can enrich your data responsibly and legally.
However, note that LinkedIn has export limitations: for standard users, only around 80 contacts are exportable per request, while premium users on LinkedIn Sales Navigator may also face this restriction.
If you a large network or you’ve grown your profile (such as 20,000 contacts), you may need to reduce your expectations or use alternative methods to access all your data.
Best Practices and Tips for LinkedIn Contact Management
Managing your LinkedIn contacts effectively takes time and practice.
While you can connect with virtually any LinkedIn profile, the key is to focus on qualified or relevant profiles that align with your sales or business goals.
As your network grows, it’s essential to periodically review and filter your connections to keep track of those that remain valuable and relevant.
Regularly evaluating your contacts allows you to see which profiles foster connections within your target sector and help you maintain engagement with those who matter most.
As your list expands, remember that LinkedIn can be more than just a sales platform.
Use the organic reach from your connections to drive traffic to your website or services.
However, it’s essential that your LinkedIn presence doesn’t become purely transactional.
Instead, continue to share valuable content consistently, focusing on high-quality conversations and posts.
This approach not only reinforces your personal brand but also builds trust with your network.
Ultimately, quality matters far more than quantity when it comes to LinkedIn connections.
The right contacts are the ones who will boost your visibility, engage with your posts, and help expand your influence.
How Often Should You Export Your Contacts?
If you’re expanding your connections gradually, consider maintaining two lists: an initial baseline list and an updated list.
As you identify and connect with promising leads, you can add them to a designated list of potential clients.
This way, you can periodically add relevant contacts without overwhelming yourself with unqualified leads.
The goal isn’t to export every connection, but to focus on those who are most valuable to your business outside LinkedIn.
Protecting Data Privacy and Ensuring Compliance When Exporting LinkedIn Contacts
Data privacy and compliance are critical when exporting LinkedIn contacts.
When exporting information, it’s essential to handle the data with care, not just for your protection, but for the privacy of your contacts as well.
Key points to remember:
Email and phone number restrictions: LinkedIn only provides these details for first-degree connections who have shared them.
Privacy safeguards: These restrictions exist to protect sensitive data from misuse.
By respecting LinkedIn’s privacy settings and data policies, you ensure compliance with global laws like GDPR.
To stay compliant:
Use the data responsibly.
Only contact people in ways that align with their preferences.
Ensure all communication off-platform is respectful of privacy and legal requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I export my list of followers from LinkedIn?
No, LinkedIn does not provide an option to export your followers.
The platform only allows you to export your first-degree connections.
If you're interested in analyzing your followers, you'll need to do so manually by visiting their profiles.
Can I extract someone else’s LinkedIn contacts?
No, LinkedIn restricts access to the connections of other users to protect privacy.
You can only export your own first-degree connections.
Attempting to extract someone else's contacts would violate LinkedIn's terms of service.
Can I transfer LinkedIn contacts to another account?
LinkedIn does not support direct transfer of contacts between accounts.
However, you can export your connections from one account and manually send connection requests from another account using the exported information.
Keep in mind that this process must comply with LinkedIn's user agreement and privacy policies.
Can I share my LinkedIn contacts?
Technically, yes, you can download and send the exported file.
But you must be very careful: sharing personal data like emails without consent can violate LinkedIn’s terms and data protection laws like the GDPR. Always handle contact info ethically and legally.
Why should I export my LinkedIn contacts?
Exporting your LinkedIn contacts helps you:
Safeguard your network if your account is restricted or closed
Use your contacts in external tools like CRMs or email platforms
Keep a backup copy of your professional relationships
Segment and manage your network more effectively for outreach
