Do LinkedIn InMails expire? And how to renew them

Written By Alex Blackburne

Latest in Tech News, Reviews & Education

LinkedIn is a great platform for establishing professional connections. However, you cannot communicate with someone who isn’t connected to your network unless you have access to LinkedIn InMail. When you sign into your LinkedIn account, you can access the basic messaging feature to communicate with your network. While InMail is a premium service that allows you to send a direct message to another user who isn’t connected to you. Depending upon your subscription, you get a certain number of monthly credits. In this article, we will share some light on – Do LinkedIn InMail expire? This will help you to use your InMail credits efficiently.

Does LinkedIn InMail expire?

Yes, InMail credits expire after 90 days if not used. You can accumulate InMail for 90 days before they become unavailable. InMail allows you to send messages to anyone on the platform. LinkedIn InMail is a premium feature, and if you want to take the benefits of InMail messages, you can upgrade to a premium account. 

What is the difference between LinkedIn InMail Vs Message?

If you are a free user on LinkedIn, you will have access to send messages to people you are connected to on the platform. But if you are a premium member, you can send a message to someone you are not connected to on LinkedIn. The 2nd and 3rd connections are outside your network. InMail can convert more people into potential customers.

How to send an InMail?

Sending an InMail is similar to sending a regular message, except that it can be sent to people you are not connected to. Here’s how you can send an InMail:

Step 1 – Login to your LinkedIn premium account

Step 2 – Find someone you are not connected to on the platform. You can find this by looking at the number next to their name. If they are 2nd or 3rd connected, it means you are not connected.

Step 3 – Open their profile and click on the blue message button on their profile page. At the bottom of the message window, the messages appear as InMail and tell you how many credits you are left with.

Step 4 – Type your message in the text box, and don’t forget to have a catchy headline. Once done, click the send button, and you are done.

Why is InMail important?

LinkedIn InMail helps you reach out to thousands of people and convert them into potential customers. You must send an InMail to relevant prospects and impress them with your unique offerings. When you send an InMail message, the customer will receive it titled InMail. It will let them ensure that it’s not spam and open your message. Opening the InMail message increases the possibility of converting them into customers.

How much do InMail credits cost?

The LinkedIn premium account costs $29.99/month, and a Sales Navigator account costs $79.99/month or $779.88 per year. If you are looking for more sales conversion, purchasing a Sales Navigator account is recommended as it comes with enhanced features like advanced search functions. You can buy more InMail credits if you exhaust the monthly credits by paying an additional $10 for each InMail.

How to get InMail credits on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn offers a one-month free trial account for its premium subscription. You just have to change your account to the premium version by following the below steps:

Step 1 – Log in to your LinkedIn account

Step 2 – Click on the ‘Me’ icon at the top of the LinkedIn page

Step 3 – Tap on ‘Settings & Privacy’ from the drop-down menu

Step 4 – Click on ‘Account Preferences’ and under ‘Subscriptions & Payments,’ click on ‘Change’

Step 5 – When your trial ends, set your payment and use InMail

How to check your credits for InMail?

You get a specific number of InMail credits monthly based on your subscription. If you cannot consume credits every month, then you can check the number of available credits by following the below steps:  

Step 1 – Login to your LinkedIn account

Step 2 – Click on the ‘Me’ icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage

Step 3 – Click on “Access my Premium” and go to ‘My premium Page’

Step 4 – Under the InMail section, you can find the available InMail credits

Do LinkedIn credits roll over?

Yes, the unused LinkedIn InMail credits roll over monthly for 90 days. After that, credits become unavailable. You get an InMail credit that receives a response within 90 days of sending the message.

If you send another InMail without receiving a response from the user, it will result in using another InMail credit. Remember that an automatic reminder is sent to the user after three days of the message being sent. It is important to note that auto-response is also considered a response on LinkedIn messaging.

‘Interested’ and ‘Maybe later’ are accepted messages, while ‘Not interested’ is considered a declined message. All three responses get a credit back immediately after the response. You can edit/delete a message you have recently sent, but if you delete an InMail message without getting a response, no InMail credits will be credited back to you.

Is there a limit on InMail messages on LinkedIn?

Yes, depending on your subscription, you will receive a certain number of InMail credits monthly. Below are various plans to choose from based on your requirements:

  • Premium Career: 5
  • Premium Business: 15
  • Sales Navigator: 50
  • Recruiter Lite: 30

How often do InMail credits renew?

You will receive a new allotment of InMail credits every month on the first day of your billing cycle. Auto-renewal date is based on the date of your initial setup. If you want to find the date, you can navigate to your My Premium Page to view it.

Key Takeaways

The credits you earn each month last for 90 days – if not used within this duration, they will expire. And if you run out of InMail credits, either you need to wait for the next month or upgrade your subscription. You can also use Sales Navigator’s advanced features to smartly use the InMail messages and send free messages to Open Profiles and people who have shown interest in your offerings. You can also check the number of InMail left by checking the My Premium Page and using them efficiently throughout the month.

Did You Know?

Learning valuable skills makes you...

  • 31% more likely to be promoted
  • 56% less likely to become unemployed
  • Over 2x as productive as regular employees

Try out Linkedin Learning today. Get your free trial here