How to download connections from LinkedIn — Step-by-step (2026)

How to download connections from LinkedIn is one of the most common tasks professionals ask about when they want to move contacts into CRMs, analyze networks, or back up their data. In this guide you'll find two safe, compliant methods to export your LinkedIn connections as a CSV, practical tips to avoid policy and privacy mistakes, and a short comparison of tools so you can pick the fastest route for your workflow.

Why export your LinkedIn connections?

Exporting your connections is useful for multiple professional reasons:

• CRM sync: Import contacts into HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, or your spreadsheet for outreach and relationship management.
• Network analysis: Discover groups, geographic clusters, and warm introductions.
• Backup: Keep a local record of connections and profiles for compliance or archiving.
• Campaign planning: Segment contacts for personalization and thought-leadership campaigns.

Which pillar does this belong to?

This topic sits primarily under Pillar 5 — Tools and Technology for LinkedIn but also touches Pillar 1 — LinkedIn Growth and Personal Branding when you use exports to inform content and outreach. For automation-driven workflows, see our guide on AI content automation for LinkedIn.

Before you start: legal, privacy and LinkedIn policy basics

Quick checklist (read before exporting):

• Only export connections you have permission to contact for marketing under local laws (GDPR, CAN-SPAM, CASL).
• Use LinkedIn’s official export for a compliant copy of your data when possible.
• Avoid scraping or automated harvesting that violates LinkedIn’s Terms of Service.
• Store CSVs securely and delete them when no longer needed.

Official guidance from LinkedIn explains how they provide a copy of your data while protecting member privacy — read more on the LinkedIn Help Center.

Two safe methods to download your LinkedIn connections

We'll cover the recommended, official export (Method A) and a controlled third-party/export tool approach (Method B). Method A is the most compliant and should be sufficient for most professionals.

Method A — Official LinkedIn data export (Recommended)

This is LinkedIn’s built-in data export. It gives a CSV that lists your connections’ names, current companies, and connection dates (fields can change over time).

1. Go to LinkedIn and click on your profile photo > Settings & Privacy.
2. Select Data privacy (left menu), then click Get a copy of your data or How LinkedIn uses your data depending on the UI.
3. Choose Connections (you can request other data too, but selecting connections usually speeds delivery).
4. Click Request archive. LinkedIn will prepare a ZIP and send a download link to your account email — this can take minutes to up to 24 hours depending on volume.
5. Open the ZIP and locate the CSV (commonly named connections.csv). Typical columns: First Name, Last Name, Email Address (if available), Company, Position, Connected On.

Tip: If you don’t see email addresses, LinkedIn only includes them when members have allowed it or when the email is available in your import history. Use profile links for enrichment if needed.

Method B — Controlled third-party export tools (when you need extra fields)

If you need more fields (job titles, profile URLs, locations) and want to avoid manual copy-paste, use reputable tools that connect via OAuth or a browser extension with clear privacy policies. Always:

• Check the tool’s compliance with LinkedIn’s Terms of Service.
• Prefer tools that use your login through OAuth rather than asking for your password.
• Limit exports to the minimum data you need and secure the export file.

Popular categories of tools:

• Contact exporters: Browser extensions or SaaS that extract visible profile info (use cautiously).
• CRMs with LinkedIn integrations: These can match and enrich connections after import.
• Data enrichment services: Add emails and firmographics post-export (respect privacy rules).

Example external resource explaining export options: HubSpot: How to export LinkedIn connections.

Export comparison: official vs third-party

How to import your CSV into common tools

Quick import workflow:

1. Open the CSV in Google Sheets or Excel and inspect columns. Delete any stale or duplicate rows.
2. Map columns to your CRM fields (First Name, Last Name, Email, Company, Title, LinkedIn URL).
3. Use deduplication tools before import. Make duplicates the exception, not the rule.
4. Segment contacts into lists: warm, cold, clients, partners — then personalize outreach.

Security note: When importing to a CRM, use the platform’s secure import process and remove the local CSV after import if it’s not needed.

Practical use cases for exported connections

• Build a targeted thought-leadership campaign for 50 warm connections who are hiring managers in your niche.
• Create a content promotion list and invite connections to a webinar or newsletter.
• Analyze overlap with customers to identify referral opportunities.

"Exporting your network is less about raw data and more about turning relationships into a repeatable, respectful engagement plan."

Checklist before you export (Quick actions)

• Confirm legal basis for contacting contacts (consent, legitimate interest, etc.).
• Decide the exact fields you need.
• Use the LinkedIn official export when possible.
• Secure the CSV with encryption or a password if storing locally.
• Plan your outreach: personalization beats mass messaging every time.

How Linkesy helps after you export

Linkesy automates LinkedIn content and personal-brand campaigns so you can use your exported data responsibly and turn network insights into engagement. For example:

• Use groups or industry segments from your export to create tailored 30-day content calendars with Linkesy’s AI.
• Pair enriched CSV segments with content pillars for targeted thought leadership.

If you want to move faster, try Linkesy free to generate a month of personalized LinkedIn posts that match your voice and target the segments you care about.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Mistake: Exporting and blasting messages to everyone. Fix: Segment and personalize.
• Mistake: Using shady browser scrapers. Fix: Prefer official export or trusted integrations.
• Miss: Not cleaning CSVs before import. Fix: Remove duplicates and stale contacts.

Next steps and resources

Follow these next steps after downloading your connections:

1. Open the CSV and map fields to your CRM.
2. Segment contacts into meaningful groups for content and outreach.
3. Use Linkesy to auto-generate content calendars and AI-crafted messages aligned with those segments (See Linkesy plans).

Related Linkesy resources:

• Pillar: Tools & Technology for LinkedIn
• How to automate LinkedIn posts with AI
• LinkedIn data privacy and best practices

FAQs

How long does LinkedIn take to prepare the export?

LinkedIn usually prepares the download within minutes for small accounts but can take up to 24 hours for larger archives. You'll get a notification and an email with the link.

Will the CSV include email addresses?

Only if the email is available and LinkedIn is permitted to include it. Many profiles won't list emails due to privacy settings.

Can I export connections from a Company Page or Sales Navigator?

Company Pages don't have a "connections" list like profiles. Sales Navigator has integrations for lead and account export but follow its specific export rules and limits.

Is it against LinkedIn’s Terms to use a scraper?

Yes, scraping can violate LinkedIn's Terms of Service. Use the official export when possible or vetted integrations that use OAuth and comply with LinkedIn rules.

How should I secure the exported file?

Store CSVs in encrypted cloud storage or a password-protected folder, restrict access, and delete files when they are no longer needed.

Conclusion

Exporting your LinkedIn connections is straightforward when you follow LinkedIn’s official steps. For most professionals the built-in data export provides the fields needed to import into CRMs or analyze networks safely. If you need richer exports, choose trusted third-party tools and always prioritize compliance and security.

Want to turn your exported insights into a consistent LinkedIn presence without the busy work? Try Linkesy free to generate AI-written posts and a 30-day content calendar that matches your voice — so you can focus on relationships, not posting.