How to send a connection request on LinkedIn

Open LinkedIn and search for the person you want to connect with using the search bar at the top. Click on their profile, then look for the "Connect" button — it appears near their name and headline. Click it, and you'll see options to add a note or send the request as-is. Adding a note (up to 300 characters) explaining why you want to connect makes the person more likely to accept, especially if you don't know them already.

If you've already interacted with someone — commented on their post, attended the same event, or worked together — mention that in your note. Something like "I saw your post on marketing automation and found it really useful" is more effective than a blank request. LinkedIn will show them your note before they decide whether to accept.

Once you send the request, it sits in their notifications. They can accept, decline, or ignore it. If they ignore it for a while, the request eventually expires, but you can send another one later.

Key Takeaways

  • Search for the person by name, then click the Connect button on their profile to send a request.
  • Adding a personal note explaining why you want to connect increases the chance they will accept, especially if you don't know them.
  • Mention something specific — a post they wrote, a company you both worked at, or an event you attended together — to make your request stand out.
  • Connection requests expire after a few weeks if the person doesn't respond, but you can send another request later.
  • Once someone accepts your request, you can message them directly and see more details about their work history and skills.

When to add a note versus sending a blank request

A blank request works fine if you already know the person — a former coworker, someone from your school, or a friend. LinkedIn will show them your mutual connections, which gives them context for why you're reaching out.

Add a note if you're reaching out to someone you've never met. This is especially important if you want to connect with someone in a different industry, at a company you're interested in, or someone whose work you admire. The note is your chance to explain the connection and make it clear you're not just collecting contacts randomly.

Keep the note brief and genuine. "I'd like to expand my network" is vague. "I'm moving into product management and your career path at [Company] is exactly what I'm working toward" gives them a real reason to connect with you.

How to find people to connect with

Use LinkedIn's search filters to find people in your field, at companies you're interested in, or in your geographic area. Click the search bar, type a job title or company name, then click "People" to narrow results. You can filter by location, industry, company, and how recently they've been active on LinkedIn.

Another way to find connections is through your existing network. Click "My Network" at the top of the page, and LinkedIn will show you "People You May Know" — these are people who share connections with you, went to your school, or work in your field. This list is a good place to start because you often have something in common already.

You can also find people through LinkedIn groups, company pages, or posts. If someone comments on a post in your industry, you can click their name and send a connection request from their profile.

What happens after someone accepts your connection

Once they accept, you become "connected" on LinkedIn. This means you can send them direct messages without restrictions, and you can see more of their profile — including their full work history, skills, and recommendations from others. They can also see your full profile.

Connected contacts show up in your network, and LinkedIn may suggest them as connections to other people you know. If you want to stay in touch, you can message them, comment on their posts, or share their content with your own network.

How to manage connection requests you receive

When someone sends you a connection request, you'll see a notification. Click on their profile to see who they are and read any note they included. You can then accept, decline, or ignore the request.

If you don't recognize someone and they didn't include a note, it's fine to decline. You can also ignore the request and decide later. If you're not sure, you can click their profile to see their work history and decide whether connecting makes sense for you.

Building a network that actually matters

Connecting with hundreds of random people doesn't help you. Instead, focus on connecting with people in your industry, people at companies you want to work for, people who do work you admire, and people you've actually met or worked with. These connections are more likely to engage with your posts, recommend you, or help you find opportunities.

Once you're connected, stay engaged. Comment on their posts occasionally, share their content, and send a message now and then if you have something relevant to say. LinkedIn works best when you're actually building relationships, not just collecting contacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone see that I viewed their profile?

By default, yes — LinkedIn shows people who viewed their profile. If you want to view profiles anonymously, you can turn this off in your privacy settings, but then you won't be able to see who viewed your profile either. The setting is in "Settings and Privacy" under "Visibility".

What if someone declines my connection request?

You can send another request to the same person after a few weeks, but only once. If they decline again, respect that and move on. You can still follow their profile to see their posts without being connected.

Is there a limit to how many connection requests I can send?

LinkedIn doesn't publish an exact limit, but sending hundreds of requests in a short time can trigger a temporary restriction. Sending 10 to 20 requests per week is generally safe. If you hit a limit, wait a few days before sending more.

Can I message someone on LinkedIn without being connected?

You can send a message to someone you're not connected with, but it goes to their "Other" folder instead of their main inbox, and they may not see it. Connecting first makes it much more likely they'll read your message.

What's the difference between connecting and following on LinkedIn?

Following someone lets you see their posts in your feed without being connected. Connecting is mutual — you both have to accept — and lets you message each other. You can follow someone without connecting, but connecting requires both people to agree.