Whether you’re hunting for new business, scoping out partnerships, or staying on top of industry trends, LinkedIn is where the action happens. But when your team is scattered across different regions, things get a bit more complicated.
If you’ve got team members across continents trying to use LinkedIn simultaneously, someone will eventually face LinkedIn’s security measures. That’s where problems like LinkedIn account restrictions start. Fortunately, following some best practices can help you maximize LinkedIn’s potential while avoiding unnecessary roadblocks.
LinkedIn Account Restrictions: Common Issues
Account restrictions happen when LinkedIn’s security or anti-spam measures flag unusual activity. For sales and marketing teams, that could mean:
- Sending Too Many Connection Requests: LinkedIn sets daily and weekly limits on connection requests to prevent spam. Exceeding these limits can flag your account.
- Automating Outreach Too Aggressively: Over-reliance on automation tools, especially for sending mass messages or connection requests, often triggers LinkedIn’s security algorithms.
- Frequent Location Changes: If your team is spread across regions and logging in from different IP addresses or using multiple VPNs, LinkedIn may see this as suspicious activity.
- Unusual Messaging Behavior: Sending large numbers of identical or generic messages in a short period can be interpreted as bot-like behavior, leading to account restrictions.
- Non-Engagement: LinkedIn also flags accounts that send out numerous connection requests or messages without receiving engagement in return (acceptances, replies), viewing them as potentially spammy.
These restrictions can halt your campaigns, delay lead generation, and hurt your reputation with prospects.
What’s even trickier is that LinkedIn doesn’t always give you a heads-up before cracking down. So if you’re pushing LinkedIn’s boundaries—by using automation tools, managing multiple accounts from different locations, or trying to scale your connection requests, you might get your account suspended or restricted.
Best Practices for Avoiding LinkedIn Account Restrictions
1. Use VPNs With Caution
You’ve heard it before: “Use a VPN to access LinkedIn from anywhere!” But here’s the catch—LinkedIn doesn’t love seeing traffic from a single account ping-ponging across different countries. It can trigger LinkedIn’s security algorithms, leading to an account suspension for “suspicious activity.”
Key tips for using VPNs safely:
- Consistent Location: All team members should use the same VPN server location to avoid multiple IPs showing up from different regions.
- Limit Switching: Frequent changes in VPN servers can raise red flags. Try to stick to one location for each user, or minimize switching.
2. Connection Limits: Slow and Steady
We get it—you want to grow your network fast. But LinkedIn has strict daily and weekly limits to prevent spammy behavior. In 2024, they reduced the connection request limit to 100 per week. So, firing off too many connection requests in a day can quickly get your account flagged.
What to do instead:
- Stagger Requests: Spread out your connection requests across the week to avoid hitting the cap all at once.
- Focus on Personalization: Rather than sending generic invites, personalize your connection requests with a quick note. For instance: “I saw your post about AI trends and would love to connect and discuss ideas”.
Pro Tip: Personalization works. You’re far more likely to get a response from someone if your message feels targeted rather than mass-produced.
3. Automation Tools: Use Them, But Keep It Human
Automation can be your friend, but only if you’re careful. LinkedIn is increasingly strict about third-party tools, and accounts that rely too heavily on automation are at risk of suspension. This doesn’t mean automation is off-limits; it just means you need to keep it in check.
Some popular LinkedIn automation tools include:
Linked Helper
Great for automating outreach, Linked Helper is a free tool that lets you send connection requests, messages, and even endorse profiles—but only in moderation.
Zopto
Designed for sales teams, Zopto automates prospecting and connection requests while allowing you to tailor messages to different audiences.
Expandi.io
Known for its safe, cloud-based automation, Expandi provides personalization at scale while adhering to LinkedIn’s limits.
Avoid over-automation by following these tips:
- Limit the Number of Messages: Don’t blast hundreds of connection requests or messages in a single day. This raises LinkedIn’s suspicions.
- Personalize: Even when using automation, add personal touches. Instead of sending a generic message, include a note about the person’s recent activity or industry insights.
- Monitor Activity: Keep an eye on what’s going out. Automation tools are great for easy tasks, but your team should be manually overseeing important conversations.
According to LinkedIn, accounts using excessive automation have a 30% higher chance of being restricted, so be sure to strike a balance between automation and human engagement.
4. Timing Is Everything
With a team spread across multiple time zones, timing your outreach can be tricky. If one of your team members in Europe sends a message at 10 a.m. their time, it could land in your prospect’s inbox at 2 a.m. if they’re in North America. Not ideal, right?
Maximize response rates by:
- Scheduling Messages: Use scheduling tools to send your messages at optimal times. LinkedIn data from 2023 shows that engagement rates are highest between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time.
- Consider Time Zones: Make sure your team knows when it’s the best time to reach out to leads in different regions. Coordinate outreach to match the recipient’s workday, not yours.
5. Personalization Over Blanket Messaging
We all know how tempting it is to send the same message to hundreds of people. But LinkedIn’s algorithms are on the lookout for this kind of activity. Even if you’re outsourcing LinkedIn outreach, avoid blanket messaging—it comes off as spammy and impersonal.
How to keep it personal:
- Tailor Every Message: You don’t need a completely new message for every prospect, but a little customization goes a long way. Mention something relevant about their industry or recent post to show you’ve done your homework.
- Quality Over Quantity: Rather than targeting thousands of people with a generic message, focus on smaller, more relevant lists of prospects. Remember, LinkedIn is a professional space built around relationships. If your outreach feels genuine, people are much more likely to engage.
You can make LinkedIn work for your team and avoid account restrictions, regardless of where they’re located, by keeping things human, staying consistent with your efforts, and avoiding over-reliance on automation. How are you managing LinkedIn with your international team? Have you run into any account restrictions before?
