LinkedIn is built for people to connect professionally. Connection requests and messages to people you do not yet know are part of everyday use. The person you contact decides whether to accept your request and whether to reply.
There is no settled case law specifically on LinkedIn messages yet. In practice, what matters is how you approach people.
What matters
- A specific professional connection. Your message refers to something about the recipient’s business, role or field of expertise. Under data protection law, legitimate interests under Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR may then provide a legal basis for contacting them.
- A clear sender. You write under your real name, and your profile shows who you are and which company you represent.
- The blocklist. If someone is not interested, you do not message them again. If someone says “Now isn’t a good time,” you add them to the blocklist, and they receive no further messages.
How CompLeadly helps
- Only relevant profiles: You build your target audience from a LinkedIn people search, a Sales Navigator search or, with a licence, a Recruiter Lite search or pipeline. That way, your list only includes people your offer is relevant to.
- Personal messages: Placeholders personalise each message, with a live preview at every step. This gives each message a relevant connection that makes it welcome.
- A clear process: The opener is sent only after your connection request is accepted. A follow-up is sent only if your message goes unanswered for the number of days you set. If the contact replies, CompLeadly sends no further follow-up.
- Blocklist on every plan: Profiles on your blocklist are skipped by all CompLeadly features, including in the free version.
Three use cases
sales
You create a target audience of decision-makers in your target industry using a people search or Sales Navigator. CompLeadly sends the connection request, then an opener relevant to their business after they accept, followed by a follow-up if needed. Learn more: CompLeadly for sales teams.
recruiting
You find candidates through a people search, Sales Navigator or, with a licence, Recruiter Lite searches and pipelines. In the opener, you mention the role that fits their profile and link to your privacy notice for applicants. Learn more: CompLeadly for recruiters.
Job search
As a job applicant, you contact recruiters and hiring managers at companies you want to work for directly. CompLeadly visits their profiles before sending a connection request, followed by a short message and no more than one follow-up. In the free version, CompLeadly visits up to 25 profiles and sends up to 2 connection requests per day (basic features with daily limits); full workflows are available from Basic. You can read how to set up your profile for this in 10 common LinkedIn mistakes when job hunting it and enter it Open to Work on LinkedIn.
This article offers practical guidance and is not legal advice.