LinkedIn is a professional social networking platform that allows users to connect with other professionals, find jobs, follow companies, and more. One of the key features of LinkedIn is the ability to send messages to other users through the LinkedIn messaging system.
To send messages on LinkedIn, you need to use email credits. Email credits are a way LinkedIn limits and monitors messaging activity on the platform. Each LinkedIn account gets a set number of email credits per month to send messages. Once you use up your allotted credits, you must purchase more credits or wait until your credits reset at the start of the next month in order to continue sending messages.
What are LinkedIn Email Credits?
LinkedIn email credits are a form of virtual currency used to send messages to other members on the LinkedIn platform. Here are some key points about LinkedIn email credits:
- Each LinkedIn account receives a set number of email credits per month to use for sending messages. The number you receive depends on your account type.
- 1 credit lets you send 1 message. Each message can have up to 2000 characters.
- Credits reset to the monthly allotment at the start of each new calendar month.
- You can purchase additional credits in packages of 10, 50, and 100 if you use up your monthly credits.
- Unused credits roll over month to month for up to 12 months.
- You cannot transfer credits between LinkedIn accounts.
Why Does LinkedIn Use Email Credits?
LinkedIn uses an email credit system for sending messages for a few key reasons:
- Limit spam: The credit system limits the ability for users to spam others with messages. This helps maintain the professional nature of interactions.
- Generate revenue: Credits are a revenue source for LinkedIn when users buy more. LinkedIn makes money by selling additional credit packages.
- Control messaging activity: Credits give LinkedIn a way to monitor and control the overall volume of messages sent through their system.
- Tier access: Different LinkedIn account types get different numbers of credits. More credits come with premium accounts.
By limiting credits, LinkedIn can prevent misuse of messaging while still offering it as a feature to members.
How Many Email Credits Do You Get?
The number of email credits you get per month depends on the type of LinkedIn account you have. Here is the breakdown of the credits allotment by account tier:
Account Type | Free Monthly Credits |
---|---|
Basic | 10 |
Premium Business | 25 |
Sales Navigator Professional | 25 |
Recruiter Lite | 25 |
Premium Career | 30 |
Recruiter | 50 |
Sales Navigator Team | 75 |
Recruiter Corporate | 100 |
Sales Navigator Enterprise | 125 |
As you can see, the number of free credits you get ranges from 10 per month for basic accounts up to 125 credits monthly for premium Sales Navigator Enterprise accounts.
Checking Your LinkedIn Email Credits Balance
It’s easy to check your remaining email credit balance on LinkedIn to see how many you have left for the month. Here are 2 ways to view your credit balance:
- Go to the LinkedIn messaging page. At the very top near your profile photo and “Messages” heading, it will show the number of credits remaining.
- Go to your LinkedIn settings page. Click on “Communications” in the left sidebar. On this page it will show your credits remaining for the month.
Messaging Page Method
Following the messaging page method, simply go to https://www.linkedin.com/messaging/thread/ to view your LinkedIn inbox. Near the top right you will see your remaining credits displayed.
Settings Page Method
To use the settings page method:
- Click on the “Me” icon at the top of any LinkedIn page.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” from the dropdown menu.
- Click on “Communications” in the left sidebar.
- Under “Messages”, it will show the number of credits remaining for the current month.
What Happens When You Use Up Your Credits?
If you use up all your monthly email credits, you won’t be able to send any more messages until your credits reset or you purchase more. Here is what happens when you have zero credits:
- The messaging feature is disabled. The send button will be greyed out.
- You’ll see a pop-up telling you your credits are exhausted if you try to message.
- You can still receive and read new messages.
- Your monthly credit allotment will refresh at the start of the next month.
- Alternatively, you can immediately add more credits by purchasing a credit package.
So while you can’t send messages with 0 credits, receiving messages and your account otherwise remain fully functional until your credits replenish.
How Much Do LinkedIn Email Credits Cost?
If you use up your free monthly credits, you can purchase packages of additional credits. Here is the breakdown of credit package costs on LinkedIn:
Credit Package | Cost |
---|---|
10 Credits | $10 |
50 Credits | $50 |
100 Credits | $100 |
The more credits you buy, the lower the per-credit cost. Buying credits in bulk maximizes the value.
Credits purchased do not expire as long as you maintain continuous paid membership. If your account lapses, unused purchased credits will expire.
Getting the Most Value from Email Credits
To maximize the value you get from your LinkedIn email credits, here are some tips:
- Only send messages that are worthwhile – don’t waste credits trivial messages.
- Personalize your messages so they are more likely to get a response.
- Use all your free credits each month before buying more.
- Buy credit packages in bulk to lower the per-credit cost.
- Upgrade to a premium account tier if you regularly need more credits.
- Stay active on LinkedIn to maintain your account so credits don’t expire.
Can You Check Who Viewed Your LinkedIn Profile?
No, LinkedIn does not allow users to see exactly who has viewed their profile. However, you can see aggregate data on profile views:
- You can see the total number of profile views in the last 90 days.
- Paid account holders can see more detailed analytics on profile views, like geographic location and industry.
- You will only see the names of premium account holders who view your profile.
- You will not see the identity of members with free accounts who view you.
So while you can’t get a list of every individual person, you can get useful data on the level of interest and who is looking at your profile with a premium account.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn email credits are a virtual currency used to send messages other users. The number of credits you get per month depends on your account type, and credits reset at the start of each new month. Checking your credit balance is easy, and you can buy more credits if you use up your allotment. Using credits selectively and maximizing your free monthly credits helps you get the most value from the system. Email credits allow LinkedIn to control messaging volume and limit spam to maintain a professional platform.