Roman Tsisyk

Founder

March 1, 2025 • 7 min read

How to Export LinkedIn Connections: 3 Simple Methods

Your LinkedIn connections represent one of your most valuable professional assets. Whether you're looking to clean up your network, migrate your connections to a CRM, or simply back up your professional contacts, knowing how to export your LinkedIn connections is an essential skill for any professional.

While LinkedIn doesn't prominently advertise this feature, the platform does allow users to download their connections data. In this guide, we'll walk you through three different methods to export your LinkedIn connections in 2025, from the most straightforward approach to more advanced solutions for power users.

Why Export Your LinkedIn Connections?

Create a backup of your professional network
Import connections into networking tools like LinkedSync
Analyze your network demographics and trends
Identify potential leads or recruitment candidates
Migrate connections to a CRM or email marketing platform

Method 1: Official LinkedIn Data Export (Free for All Users)

The Standard Method: LinkedIn's Data Export Tool

LinkedIn's built-in data export feature allows all users to download their connections data in CSV format. This method is completely free and gives you basic information about your connections.

Access Data Privacy Settings

Sign in to your LinkedIn account and click on your profile picture in the top-right corner. From the dropdown menu, select Settings & Privacy.

Navigate to Data Export

In the Settings menu, click on the Data privacy tab in the left sidebar. Then scroll down to find and select How LinkedIn uses your data, followed by Get a copy of your data.

Request Connections Data

On the data export page, you'll see two options: "The works" (all data) or "Pick and choose" (select specific data). For connections only, select Pick and choose and then check Connections from the list.

Submit and Download

Click Request archive. LinkedIn will prepare your data, which may take up to 24 hours (though it's usually much faster). You'll receive an email notification when your data is ready to download.

Access Your CSV File

Once notified, return to the same section in privacy settings, where you'll now see a download button. Click to download your connections as a CSV file, which will include names, email addresses, companies, and positions.

The CSV file you receive will include the following information for each connection (when available):

First Name
Last Name
Email Address
Company
Position
Date Connected

Here's what the exported data typically looks like:

Example of LinkedIn connections data in CSV format

Method 2: Using the LinkedIn API (For Developers)

Developer Approach: LinkedIn API Integration

For developers or teams looking to build custom integrations, LinkedIn offers API access that can be used to programmatically access and export connection data.

Create a LinkedIn Developer Account

Visit the LinkedIn Developer Portal and create a developer account if you don't already have one.

Register Your Application

Create a new application in the developer portal, providing the necessary details about your app and how you plan to use LinkedIn's data.

Request API Access

Request access to the specific LinkedIn APIs you need. For connections data, you'll want the "r_network" permission scope.

Implement API Calls

Once approved, use the LinkedIn API to make authenticated requests to retrieve your connections data. You can implement this in your preferred programming language using standard HTTP requests or LinkedIn's SDKs.

Process and Store Data

Process the JSON response from the API to extract connection details, and store or export this data in your preferred format.

This method is significantly more complex than the standard export but offers greater flexibility for automation and custom integrations.

Developer Note

LinkedIn has become more restrictive with API access in recent years. Your application may need to go through a review process, and you'll need to clearly articulate the purpose of your integration. Be prepared to explain how you'll handle user data in compliance with privacy regulations.

Method 3: Using LinkedSync for Enhanced Export (Recommended)

Smart Approach: LinkedSync Integration

LinkedSync offers a streamlined way to not only export your LinkedIn connections but also to analyze, filter, and manage them effectively.

Sign Up for LinkedSync

Create a free LinkedSync account at LinkedSync.tools.

Export Connections from LinkedIn

Follow Method 1 to export your LinkedIn connections to a CSV file.

Upload to LinkedSync

Enrich and Organize

LinkedSync automatically processes your connections data, enhancing it with additional insights and organizing it for easy filtering and segmentation.

Export Enhanced Data

Use LinkedSync's export features to download your connections in various formats, including enhanced CSV, Excel, or directly integrate with CRM systems.

Using LinkedSync provides significant advantages over the standard LinkedIn export:

Data enrichment: LinkedSync can add additional information about your connections based on publicly available data
Advanced filtering: Easily segment your connections by industry, company size, location, and more
Smart tagging: Organize connections with custom tags for easier management
Engagement tracking: Monitor your interaction history with key connections
Enhanced export formats: Get your data in formats optimized for various use cases

Ready to Take Control of Your LinkedIn Network?

LinkedSync makes it easy to export, organize, and leverage your professional connections.

Try LinkedSync Free

Comparing the Three Methods

Each method for exporting LinkedIn connections has its own advantages and limitations:

Method 1 (LinkedIn Export): Simple, free, and accessible to all LinkedIn users. Limited data fields and no additional insights.
Method 2 (LinkedIn API): Highly flexible and customizable, but requires technical expertise and may face API restrictions.
Method 3 (LinkedSync): Combines ease of use with powerful features for network analysis and management. Requires creating a LinkedSync account.

For most professionals looking to make the most of their LinkedIn connections, Method 3 offers the best balance of convenience and functionality.

Privacy and Security Considerations

When exporting and handling your LinkedIn connections data, keep these important privacy considerations in mind:

Always use secure, reputable services when processing your network data
Review the privacy policies of any third-party tools you use
Store your exported connections data securely
Be mindful of how you use your connections' personal information
Always comply with relevant data protection regulations like GDPR or CCPA

LinkedSync processes your connection data locally in your browser and never stores your LinkedIn data on its servers, making it a privacy-conscious choice for managing your network.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often can I export my LinkedIn connections?

LinkedIn doesn't impose specific limits on how frequently you can export your connections. However, the platform may temporarily restrict the feature if they detect unusual activity. As a best practice, we recommend exporting your connections no more than once per month.

Can I see who viewed my profile using exported data?

No, the connections export only includes people who are directly connected to you (1st-degree connections). It doesn't include profile view data, which is a separate feature in LinkedIn.

Will my connections know if I export their information?

No, LinkedIn doesn't notify your connections when you export your data. This is considered a private activity related to your own account management.

Can I export 2nd and 3rd-degree connections?

No, LinkedIn only allows you to export your direct (1st-degree) connections. You cannot export data for 2nd or 3rd-degree connections through official LinkedIn methods.