If you're looking for the best resources on how to get started, explore our complete LinkedIn API documentation for developers to get direct access to code snippets, endpoint references, and implementation tips.

What is the LinkedIn API?

The LinkedIn API (Application Programming Interface) connects external software with LinkedIn’s data and communication systems. It enables your application to interact with the platform: retrieving user profiles, sending messages, posting content, and managing invitations.

However, since 2015, LinkedIn has restricted access to most of its APIs. Only partners approved through the LinkedIn Partner Program can use these features officially. This makes it harder for most developers and companies to build reliable LinkedIn integrations without delays or denials.

The 3 Main Approaches to Access LinkedIn API

1. Official LinkedIn Partner API

Approved partners can use the Profile API, UGC API, and more—but this comes with tight usage restrictions, long approval processes, and limited access even after acceptance. You must manage OAuth2 authentication, build around the Rest.li framework, and configure headers and parameters with precision.

2. DIY LinkedIn Integration

Some developers turn to reverse-engineering or GitHub-based unofficial APIs. While this unlocks more flexibility, it's complex and unsupported. These solutions lack documentation, break easily, and come with a risk of violating LinkedIn’s terms.

3. Unified LinkedIn API by Unipile

Unipile offers a smart middle-ground. We mimic LinkedIn’s front-end interactions safely, offering stable, secure, and reliable API access without violating LinkedIn’s guidelines. Our unified API handles not only LinkedIn but also WhatsApp, Telegram, Email, and more—via one streamlined integration.

Why choose Unipile?

• No LinkedIn Partner status required

• Setup in days, not months

• Full features: messages, reactions, voice notes, profile data, and more

• Hosted auth and credential auth options

• Scalable and multi-account compatible

• Live support and ready-to-use documentation

Key Features Unlocked with Unipile’s LinkedIn API

Unipile’s LinkedIn API goes far beyond basic message handling—it enables full control over LinkedIn interactions directly from within your application. Whether you're building a CRM, ATS, or outreach automation platform, these features provide the flexibility and depth needed to power professional workflows at scale.

Multi-Account Management

Your users can connect and manage multiple LinkedIn accounts simultaneously, ideal for agencies, recruiters, or sales teams working across different brands or client portfolios. Each account can be tracked and authenticated independently, ensuring scalability without friction.

Profile Access and Enrichment

Retrieve detailed public profile information, including name, headline, location, job title, company, and more. Users can access and even edit their own LinkedIn profiles directly within your app, allowing real-time updates and data consistency across platforms.

Full Messaging Support

From standard messages to InMails, Sales Navigator conversations, and LinkedIn Recruiter inboxes, Unipile offers a unified interface to read, send, and reply to messages. This includes the ability to list attendees in group chats, access message history, and manage unread counts—vital for real-time responsiveness.

Voice Notes and Embedded Media

Enhance communication by enabling users to send LinkedIn voice messages and video embeds via the API. These rich media options provide a more personalized and engaging experience, increasing the chances of meaningful interactions and higher conversion rates.

Automated Sequences and Outreach Flows

Design multi-step outreach workflows without coding complexity. Users can automate invitation sending, detect when they’re accepted, and trigger follow-up actions like messages, emails, or even WhatsApp reminders. All steps are easily orchestrated using Unipile’s API logic or no-code dashboard.

Real-Time Event Monitoring

Stay in sync with your users’ LinkedIn activity by subscribing to webhooks for reactions, new messages, read receipts, and inbox status. This makes it easier to automate workflows and ensure your application reacts to user behavior in real time.

Build LinkedIn Integrations in Python with Unipile’s Unified API

Simplify LinkedIn API Authentication with Python

Traditional OAuth flows with LinkedIn’s official API require multiple steps and LinkedIn Partner Program approval. With Unipile, you can skip that friction. Our API uses a headless browser to replicate user actions securely. In Python, you just need to authenticate once and start making requests, no SDK or LinkedIn library needed.

Example (simplified token retrieval):

import requests response = requests.post("https://api1.unipile.com:13111/api/v1/auth/token", data={ "dsn": YOUR_DSN, "username": YOUR_EMAIL, "password": YOUR_PASSWORD }) token = response.json().get("access_token")

This gives your app instant access to message sync, profile retrieval, and sequence automation across LinkedIn tools.

Send and Sync LinkedIn Messages in Your Python App

Once authenticated, your Python app can send new messages, reply to threads, and retrieve entire chat histories. Whether your users are using Recruiter, Sales Navigator, or Classic Inbox, everything is unified.

Example usage:

requests.post("https://api1.unipile.com:13111/api/v1/chats", headers={ "Authorization": f"Bearer {token}" }, data={ "recipient": "linkedin_user_id", "message": "Hi! Let’s connect." })

You can even detect when an invitation has been accepted without LinkedIn webhooks—ideal for triggering next steps in outreach flows.

Automate LinkedIn Sequences with Python

Need to create automated outreach at scale? With Unipile, you can programmatically:

• Search profiles (via Sales Navigator URL)

• Extract search results and profile metadata

• Schedule personalized messages or voice notes

• Track delivery and responses

All of this can be wrapped in Python scripts that operate in real-time, making it easier to scale custom sequences in CRMs or ATS platforms.

Automate Outreach with LinkedIn Sequences

Our API lets your users build multi-step LinkedIn workflows, such as:

1. Search for profiles on LinkedIn or Sales Navigator

2. Fetch results with our raw data endpoint

3. Auto-send personalized invitations

4. Detect when they’re accepted

5. Send follow-up messages or trigger email/WhatsApp outreach

No-code users can drag and drop sequence blocks like:

• Send a voice note

• React to a post

• Loop messages until reply

This elevates your platform’s UX while reducing manual effort for end-users.

Use Cases for ATS, CRMs, and Outreach Platforms

? Recruitment Tools (LinkedIn Recruiter API)

Sync messages, monitor candidates, and automate follow-ups within your ATS or HR tool.

? Sales Platforms (LinkedIn Sales Navigator)

Pull enriched lead data directly into CRMs, trigger workflows based on user engagement, and accelerate the sales cycle with fewer manual steps.

FAQs

1. What can the LinkedIn API do?
It enables apps to send messages, manage profiles, retrieve posts and reactions, and integrate advanced outreach features.

2. Who can access the official LinkedIn API?
Only LinkedIn-approved partners. Most SaaS companies are not eligible without going through an application and review process.

3. Is Unipile’s LinkedIn API safe?
Yes. Unipile emulates user behavior within allowed boundaries, ensuring account safety and platform compliance.

4. Can I send InMails or invitations through Unipile?
Yes. The API allows sending invitations, voice notes, InMails, and more with structured request handling.

5. What languages are supported for integration?
Any language that can make HTTP requests—Python, JavaScript, Go, etc.—can use the API. We provide examples primarily in Python and curl.

6. How fast is integration with Unipile?
You can go live in a matter of days with complete feature support, thanks to a hosted dashboard and ready-to-use endpoints.

Conclusion: LinkedIn Integration Doesn’t Have to Be a Struggle

Most developers give up or delay their LinkedIn integration due to the partner-only model and complex authentication logic. Unipile eliminates this barrier with a robust, developer-friendly, and fully documented API.

Whether you’re building an outreach tool, CRM, or ATS, our LinkedIn API integration helps you go to market faster—without compromising functionality or stability.