How to Message Someone on LinkedIn (Even If You're Not Connected)

LinkedIn messages are where most of the real business on the platform happens. Posts get you noticed, but the introduction, the quick question, the thank-you after a call and the follow-up that turns into a project all happen in the inbox. If you've ever clicked around someone's profile wondering why there's no Message button, you're not alone.

This guide is about the mechanics: the three places you can start a LinkedIn message, who you're allowed to message in the first place, and what to do when the button isn't there. It all follows LinkedIn's own help centre, so the button names should match what you see.

Who you can message on LinkedIn, and who you can't

Before the steps, it helps to know the rules, because they explain most of the confusion.

Your link to them	How LinkedIn lets you reach them
A connection	A normal message, from Messaging, their profile or your Connections page
A coworker you're not connected to	A message request
A member of the same LinkedIn group	A message request, from the group's member list
Someone at a LinkedIn Event you're attending	Sometimes a private message through the event
Anyone else	A connection request first, or InMail, which needs LinkedIn Premium

So if you can't see a Message button on someone's profile, it usually means you're not connected and you don't share a company, group or event. Sending a connection request is the simplest way round that.

Messaging someone on LinkedIn from a computer

From the Messaging page

1. Click the Messaging icon at the top of your homepage, or open the conversation window in the lower-right corner.
2. Click the Compose icon.
3. Start typing the person's name in the Type a name field and select them.
4. Write your note in the Write a message box.
5. Click Send.

From their profile

1. Open the person's LinkedIn profile.
2. Click Message.
3. Type in the Write a message box and click Send.

From your Connections list

1. Click My Network at the top of your homepage.
2. Under Manage my network, click Connections.
3. Find the person by searching or using filters, then click Message next to their name.
4. Write your message and click Send.

I tend to use the profile route when I've just been reading about someone, and the Connections list when I'm working through a batch of thank-you notes after an event.

Sending a LinkedIn message from the mobile app

1. Tap the Messaging icon in the upper right of the LinkedIn app.
2. Tap the Compose icon.
3. Enter the person's name in the To field and tap their name.
4. Type your message in the Write a message box.
5. Tap the Send icon.

The profile and Connections routes work on mobile too. Tap Message on a connection's profile, or tap My Network, then Manage my network, then Connections, and tap Message next to their name.

Messaging LinkedIn coworkers and group members you're not connected to

LinkedIn lets you send a message request to coworkers or group members you aren't connected with. It lands in a separate requests area for the other person rather than their main inbox.

• For a group member, open the group, click See all on the member list, then click Message next to their name.
• For a coworker, use Compose in Messaging and type their name as you would for a connection.
• Attachments can't be sent in a message request, so keep the first message to text.
• If the person declines, LinkedIn doesn't tell you. They can also go back and accept a declined request later.

Once they accept, the conversation moves into their main inbox and works like any other chat.

Messaging people at a LinkedIn Event

Events are a handy way to start conversations. If you're attending a LinkedIn Event, you can privately message some of the other attendees, even without a connection. LinkedIn's help notes that if you see Connect or Follow next to an attendee's name, you can't send them a request through the event, and you can't send one private message to a group of attendees at once.

Where LinkedIn InMail fits in

InMail is LinkedIn's way of messaging members outside your network. LinkedIn's help says it needs LinkedIn Premium, and I'm only naming it here so you know what the option is when you see it. For most small business owners I'd try the routes above first. A short, personal connection request often does the same job, and it leaves you connected for the next conversation too.

If you're planning outreach to people you don't know yet, think about it as part of a wider LinkedIn marketing strategy rather than a string of one-off messages.

Group chats, forwarding and email copies of LinkedIn messages

• Group chats: LinkedIn lets you start a thread with two or more connections. Add each name in the To or Type a name field before you send.
• Forwarding: you can forward a conversation to another connection, which is useful when you're making an introduction.
• Email copies: LinkedIn says your message lands in the recipient's inbox and may also be emailed to them, depending on their notification settings.

Everyone in a group chat can see the full conversation history, regardless of when they joined, so be thoughtful before adding someone to an older thread.

Keeping LinkedIn messages personal when you message for business

A few habits make your messages far more likely to get a reply:

• Say how you know them or why you're getting in touch in the first line.
• Keep it short enough to read on a phone without scrolling.
• Ask one clear question rather than three.
• Write each message yourself. I'm wary of tools that send messages in bulk, and my roundup of LinkedIn automation tools explains where I'd draw the line.

If you can't message someone on LinkedIn

1. Check whether you're connected. If not, send a connection request with a short note.
2. Look for a shared company, group or event that lets you send a message request instead.
3. Make sure your app is up to date, since menus vary by app version.
4. Remember that LinkedIn may restrict your ability to message members you aren't connected to, so a connection request is often the better first step.

If you think something's wrong with your account, LinkedIn's help centre is the place to check. And if someone is harassing you through messages, report it to LinkedIn and, if you're in danger, contact the police.

If you want the full set, start at the LinkedIn Help: 28 Guides to Profile Views, Impressions, Algorithm and Account Fixes.

Frequently asked questions

How do I message someone on LinkedIn?

Open Messaging, click Compose, type the person's name, write your message and click Send. You can also click Message on a connection's profile or next to their name on your Connections page.

Can I message someone on LinkedIn without being connected?

Sometimes. You can send a message request to coworkers and members of the same group, some event attendees can be messaged through the event, and InMail reaches others if you have LinkedIn Premium.

Why is there no Message button on someone's LinkedIn profile?

Usually because you're not connected and don't share a company, group or event. Send a connection request with a short note, then message them once they accept.

Will the person know if I message them on LinkedIn?

Yes. LinkedIn notifies people about new messages and message requests, and depending on their settings they may also get an email copy.

Can I send files in a LinkedIn message request?

No. LinkedIn says attachments can't be sent in message requests. Once the person accepts, you can share files as normal.