Can I Send Connection Requests to People I’m Not Connected With?

Yes, you can send connection requests to people you’re not connected with on LinkedIn. In fact, that’s one of the core features of LinkedIn — connecting with professionals, industry peers, and potential employers or clients, even if you don’t have a direct relationship with them. However, there are some important things to keep in mind when sending connection requests, especially when automating the process with BluChip Scout.

Let’s break it down:

1. Sending Connection Requests on LinkedIn

On LinkedIn, you can send connection requests to any member, but there are a few ways to do so:

Mutual Connections: If you share mutual connections, you can send a request directly and add a personalized message explaining why you want to connect.
Without Mutual Connections: You can still send a connection request, but it’s always best to include a personalized message explaining why you want to connect. If you don’t add a message, the request may seem less genuine and could be more likely to be ignored or rejected.
LinkedIn’s “People You May Know” Suggestions: LinkedIn will also recommend people you may want to connect with, often based on shared industry, location, or interests. These are great people to connect with, as LinkedIn already deems them relevant to your network.

2. How Scout Helps You Send Connection Requests

BluChip Scout automates the process of sending personalized connection requests to individuals who fit your ideal audience profile. This can be a huge time-saver if you’re targeting:

Recruiters or Hiring Managers
Professionals in your industry
Alumni from your school or university
Prospects for business or partnerships

Scout ensures that all connection requests:

Are personalized: Each request includes a message tailored to the individual’s profile, job title, or mutual connections.
Stay within LinkedIn’s limits: Scout helps you send a reasonable number of requests per day, avoiding activity spikes that could raise red flags with LinkedIn.
Pace your outreach: Scout’s warm-up feature ensures that your connection requests are gradually increased over time, mimicking human behavior.

3. Best Practices for Sending Connection Requests to People You Don’t Know

When reaching out to people you’re not yet connected with, there are some best practices to follow to ensure a higher acceptance rate and avoid being flagged as spam:

Personalize Your Connection Requests

Always include a personalized message. LinkedIn allows you to write a brief note (300 characters) to explain why you want to connect. A generic request without a message is more likely to be ignored, or worse, flagged as spam.
Make your request relevant: Mention mutual interests, shared groups, or similar career goals. People are more likely to accept a connection when they see a clear reason why you want to connect.

Example:

“Hi [Name], I noticed we share a passion for [industry/topic]. I’m really interested in learning more about [specific aspect] and would love to connect to share insights!”

Don’t Send Too Many Requests at Once

Pace your outreach: Even though you can send connection requests to people you’re not connected with, sending too many requests in a short period of time can trigger LinkedIn’s spam filters. Scout helps you pace your outreach, ensuring that you don’t exceed safe limits.

Target Relevant Profiles

Send requests to people who are relevant to your professional goals. You can use LinkedIn’s advanced search filters (available with a premium account) or use Scout’s targeting features to identify prospects who are in your industry or field, or who hold the roles you’re interested in.

Don’t Overuse Generic Requests

Sending mass, copy-pasted connection requests without any personalization is a clear red flag to LinkedIn. Personalization is key to ensuring that your outreach doesn’t seem spammy. Scout allows you to craft relevant and thoughtful messages for each recipient, which greatly reduces the chances of being flagged.

4. LinkedIn Restrictions on Connection Requests

While you can send connection requests to anyone, LinkedIn does have certain limits and guidelines in place to prevent spam and ensure the platform remains professional:

Connection Request Limits: LinkedIn allows you to send up to 100 connection requests per week on a standard account. Premium accounts (like Sales Navigator) may have a higher limit.
Rejection Rates: If a large number of your connection requests are rejected or ignored, LinkedIn may temporarily limit your ability to send new requests or may even issue a warning. Make sure your requests are personalized and relevant to the person you’re contacting to avoid this.
Activity Monitoring: LinkedIn monitors activity like the frequency and volume of connection requests. If your outreach seems automated or spammy, your account may be flagged. Scout’s warm-up feature ensures your outreach remains within safe activity thresholds, helping you avoid issues.

5. What Happens If Your Connection Requests Are Rejected Too Often?

If your connection requests are frequently rejected or ignored, LinkedIn’s algorithm may interpret this as suspicious behavior. Here’s what you should do:

Review your messaging: Ensure that your messages are relevant and personal to the person you’re reaching out to. Generic or irrelevant messages are more likely to be ignored.
Monitor your acceptance rates: If your acceptance rate drops, it’s a sign that your messaging or targeting may need adjusting. Use Scout’s analytics to track your connection acceptance rates and improve your outreach strategy.

Yes, you can send connection requests to people you’re not connected with on LinkedIn, and Scout helps you automate this process with ease. By ensuring your connection requests are personalized, relevant, and paced properly, you can build a meaningful network without running into LinkedIn’s activity limits or restrictions. Scout’s warm-up feature, personalized messaging, and activity monitoring help keep your outreach safe and effective, so you can focus on making valuable professional connections.

Ready to start automating your LinkedIn outreach?
Sign up for BluChip Scout today and begin connecting with the professionals who matter to your career.