Why is My LinkedIn Account Restricted? (And How to Fix It)

By: Jack Reamer |
 February 7, 2025 |

Your Linkedin lead generation strategy seems to be going really well. 

Your automation tools send out a couple of connection requests and messages every day, and some prospects are even connecting with you. 

What could go wrong?

BAM! You get hit with this little beauty…..

Image showing a message saying your LinkedIn account has been restricted

And get logged out of your account…

AND find yourself in LinkedIn jail. 

Goodbye, new sales leads… (Or at least for a certain amount of time.)

If this has happened to you, don’t panic. There are a few reasons why this has happened, and there are some hacks to use to stop this from happening again. 

Just because your account has been restricted doesn’t mean that it will always be so, but the problem comes in if it keeps happening, then you could have a permanent ban placed on you.

So be wary, and follow these tips and tricks to help you become a LinkedIn outreach guru in no time at all. 

(And if you have tried LinkedIn lead generation on your own as a founder, or if you’re a new sales rep and you need a bit of help to find those qualified leads, you could always hop on a free 15-minute strategy session .)

If you’re account is restricted what does it mean?

Image showing some of the LinkedIn community guidelines

Basically, it means that you did something that goes against LinkedIn’s community guidelines. Restrictions can vary in severity, from limiting certain actions to a full account ban.

Some things that you need to be aware of are that:

  • LinkedIn wants you to use your real identity – (This is why you might be asked for verification after being restricted.)

  • Create helpful content that isn’t offensive or false – For example, if you engage in activities such as sharing child sexual abuse material, promoting terrorism, posting extremely violent content, or committing sexual harassment, they may permanently suspend your account after just one violation.

  • And not use automation tools (We will discuss this in more detail later on in the article.)

Why You’re in LinkedIn Jail

1. You sent too many connection requests at once

LinkedIn is all about making new connections and advancing your career. So having many connections is a good thing, but remember to take time when inviting new prospects. 

Why?

Because, if you send too many invitation requests at once it will trigger LinkedIn’s algorithm, and you’re going to end up with a restricted LinkedIn account. 

LinkedIn Limits

LinkedIn has the following limits –

Connection Requests

Infographic showing how many connection requests we sent out

Some sales reps say that you can send between 100 – 150 connection requests per week. However, we did a small experiment to see what would happen if we sent 510 requests over 10 business days.

– 206 were sent with an invite message
– 304 were blank Mobile Connections (sent via LinkedIn’s mobile app)

Interestingly, you can see how my normal connection requests, which included a thoughtful note for each person, were restricted to 0 sends on both Fridays. (In the graph above.)

Meanwhile, I had no problem sending blank Mobile Connections to my prospects during the entire 2 week test. (In fact, they increased a bit on the second to last day.)

I’m not sure why LinkedIn is allowing more blank connection requests these days, but they are. So if you’re hoping to grow your network quickly, adjust your strategy accordingly.

To be on the safe side, especially if you are new to LinkedIn outreach, we suggest starting off by sending between 20-25 connection requests per day and not more; especially if you have a new account. You could also send 30 mobile connections, which means a total of 50 per day.

LinkedIn messages

Luckily, there are no limits to the amount of LinkedIn messages you can send per day. But to play it safe, always use personalization in your outreach.

This will stop spambots from flagging you. If you’re new to LinkedIn outreach, rather send 100 messages per week at first.

This will ensure that you get the hang of using personalization in your outreach.

If you have a paid account, you can send a bit more – 150 messages per week.

2. You are using dodgy LinkedIn automation tools

Automation tools have their place in lead generation, but be wary to only use the best tools. When using cheap Chrome extensions you stand the chance of looking like a bot and LinkedIn won’t take kindly to this.  Take a look at the LinkedIn user agreement below:

Screenshot showing LinkedIn's rules on automation tools

So at Salesbread, we use an automation tool called Expandi to send personalized messages to prospects in their right time zone.

We have used Expandi for the past 3 years and have never had a client’s LinkedIn profile restricted or blocked.

Why?

Because we are sending messages that prospects want to read, and we add in manual expert personalization that is specifically for the prospect. 

We never send the same generic message to hundreds of prospects.  And to keep clients’ accounts safe, we only send between 20 – 25 LinkedIn connection requests per day, along with 30 mobile connections

There are other tools on the market, but in our personal opinion, Expandi is the best automation tool out there.  Expandi isn’t a Chrome extension, and it also has a dedicated IP address, which makes it harder for LinkedIn to pick up any“ illegal activity.”

So if you are going to use automation tools, REMEMBER:

– Use the right automation tool, not just the cheapest

– Set limits, between 20 and 25 messages and connection requests per day.

– Personalize every single message, so the prospects accept your requests.

– Reply as a real person and not with a bot.

For more information on automation tools, read the article below :

How to Use LinkedIn Automation Without Getting Blocked

3. You aren’t personalizing your messages – So you have low acceptance rates

If you are sending hundreds of these kinds of generic messages:…

Bad LinkedIn outreach message example

Expect to get a few unhappy prospects, who either flag or ignore you.

LinkedIn might add a temporary restriction on your account if you have a low acceptance rate.

A low acceptance rate tells LinkedIn that people aren’t engaging with you.

This also might indicate that you are sending connection requests to people who don’t know you, or who have nothing in common with you.  Don’t try to connect with everyone.

For example, if you are in IT or selling a SaaS service for media marketers, it doesn’t make sense to connect with veterinarians or teachers.

Rather, build a network of professionals in a similar industry who can help further your career, or of people you would like to sell to

When you do this, you will build a profitable network of contacts on LinkedIn. 

This video explains more about how to do this:

When it comes to sending messages on LinkedIn be sure to personalize every single message.

You might think that this is excessive, but it works. 3 years with no restricted accounts and thousands of positive leads later, shows us that personalization is a necessity. 

Once your prospect list is perfect, you will have to research each prospect on the list and write something personal for each person

At Salesbread we have a personalization employee who does just this. 

Here’s how to do it:

Example of a LinkedIn profile

If you look at the above LinkedIn profile, there is a treasure trove of information about the prospect that you can use to write a personalized message.

Whether it’s writing about an article you enjoyed, or if you noticed they were featured on a podcast, mention it in your copy.

When writing a personalized message, think CCQ It stands for:

  • C compliment
  • C ommonalities
  • Q uestions You could either find something to compliment the prospect on, write something about a shared commonality, or ask a question.

Example:

Connection Request:

“Benji, I really enjoyed your interview on YouTube about Ai search. Would love to connect with you here.”

Follow-up message:

Thanks for connecting. By the way, I would love to have you as a guest on our podcast. Would you be interested? If yes you can just reply with your Calendar link. PS: For background, my company has developed a SaaS product that helps employees track their mental wellness.

Notice:

We also mentioned what our company does for background. Granted, the above    “template” is just an example of what you could say, but you can adapt this approach for your own outreach.

Read this article for some inspiration: 60 LinkedIn Connection Request Message Templates

4. You are sending spam messages

Spamming people is never okay.

LinkedIn says the following about spam: “Spam refers to abusive, harmful, or disruptive messages and content. We encourage you to flag any content you see on LinkedIn as abusive or disruptive.” 

If you are doing this (even if it’s just sending 3 messages in 1 day to a prospect) you could get flagged as a spammer. 

Don’t do this. 

It’s important to space messages out. For example, we use the Fibonacci sequence at SalesBread to get this right.

Using the Fibonacci sequence in sales

The Fibonacci sequence is a series where each number is the sum of the two before it, starting from 0 and 1 (like 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and so on).

When it comes to sales, this sequence can help you time your follow-ups effectively. Instead of reaching out every day or week, you can space your follow-ups according to this pattern.

For instance, you might contact a lead on day one, then wait two days, then three days after that, and continue to increase the intervals.

This method allows for regular check-ins that aren’t too much, showing respect for the lead’s time while keeping your business in their thoughts. It helps build trust and spot leads that are genuinely interested in your offerings.

You can also switch up your methods, and use different lead generation channels to reach out to prospects. Think of these as “teasers” to keep their interest piqued without revealing everything at once.

Below are some examples of “spammy” messages to avoid sending.

Example of a spam message
Example of spam messaging on LinkedIn

Notice the above messages are pretty much exactly the same thing. The “sent more than a million messages” should be a dead giveaway of spam.  These kinds of messages will get your account restricted or worse, permanent LinkedIn restrictions. 

So don’t do this. 

5. You’re sharing inappropriate content

LinkedIn content violations policies

For example, if a user repeatedly shares misleading information or engages in harassment, LinkedIn may issue warnings, temporarily suspend their account, or even impose a permanent ban.

Here’s an example, if someone posts false claims or information about a company to damage its reputation or uses offensive language in comments—this could be flagged as misinformation or harassment.

6. You’re committing profile violations

If users create fake profiles, impersonate others, or provide misleading professional information, you could be slapped with a permanent ban too.

For example, if someone sets up a profile claiming to be a senior executive at a well-known company without ever having worked there, LinkedIn’s system or user reports may flag it for fraud.

Similarly, using a false name, stolen profile pictures, or multiple accounts to manipulate connections can violate LinkedIn’s policies.

7. LinkedIn might ban you for identity violations

LinkedIn has very strict identity policies, and violations can lead to a permanent ban, especially in cases of impersonation or falsified identities.

So use your real profile.

Here’s an example of how you could get banned in this way:

If someone creates a profile where they pretend to be an influencer or well-known thought leader to scam others, LinkedIn’s security systems and user reports may flag the account.

In the same way, if you use a fake name or stolen profile photos to misrepresent yourself also violates LinkedIn’s authenticity rules. If this happens, and you get flagged, your account will be removed.

What to do to stop your account from being restricted – Recap

  • Don’t send too many connection requests at once. Try only send between 20 and 25 connections per day. We have sent up to 100 requests with no issues, but if you are new to LinkedIn lead generation, it’s best to limit connections to keep your account safe.

  • Only use the best automation software and not Chrome extensions.

  • Make sure to personalize every single message to each prospect on your list.

  • Don’t be a spammer and send hundreds of the same messages to your prospects; The LinkedIn algorithm will pick this up.

  • Ensure that you send connections to people who are relevant to you and your industry. If you send too many requests to the wrong kinds of people, you will have a low acceptance rate and LinkedIn will see this as an issue. 

  • Don’t create fake profiles or share misleading information

How to fix LinkedIn restrictions

But what if you have fallen into the trap and your account is restricted? I

Is there a way to get out of LinkedIn jail?

Yes, there is.

Do the following:

1. Disconnect any automation tools and take it slow

Depending on your activity, you might just get a warning before LinkedIn fully restricts your account.  If this happens, it’s best to heed the warning. 

If this is the case, disconnect any automation tools that you might be using. Don’t send too many connection requests again and just take it slow. 

Follow the above advice of only sending 20 personalized requests per day to the right kind of people. 

2. Don’t create a new LinkedIn account or a fake account.

If your account is restricted, you might think that the easiest thing to do is just create a new or fake account. Don’t do this.

Why?

LinkedIn will just detect a new account from your IP address.

If this happens, they will restrict your new account or even ban you for good.  LinkedIn’s professional community policies state that you must not create a false identity on the social media platform, or create a member profile for anyone other than yourself. 

f you stick to the guidelines and rules, your account won’t be restricted. Use LinkedIn in the way it was intended. 

3. If LinkedIn asks for proof of identification, do it.

Image showing LinkedIn asking for verification

If you get this kind of message, DO NOT IGNORE it. This message is more serious than a warning. This means that Linkedin probably views your account as a bot, and they need proof of your ID to verify your account. 

Contact LinkedIn customer support

If you are still under LinkedIn account restrictions, you could always contact customer support and tell them what’s happening.

Remember it’s important to be honest, but just a heads-up, don’t mention that you’re using automation tools. LinkedIn probably already knows that you have, and if you didn’t use automation tools, theirs no point in asking about them.

The goal of contacting support is to figure out why your account was restricted and how to fix it.

There are 2 possible outcomes.

  1. Your account will be reinstated

  2. You might get slapped with a permanent suspension, if this is the case, try to reinstate your account in 2 months time.

What to do if your account is reinstated

Once your LinkedIn account is reinstated, you have to avoid any kind of action that could trigger account restrictions or even a permanent account ban.

Start by carefully reviewing LinkedIn’s terms of use to ensure compliance.

Next, you want to avoid spammy activity, such as sending a lot of connection requests in a short time, exceeding daily limits, or engaging with many profiles too quickly. By using personalization, and reaching out to users who make sense, will also prevent LinkedIn suspensions.

Then, you want to make sure that you use LinkedIn tools and other LinkedIn features responsibly to help rebuild your credibility.

If your restriction was due to suspicious activity, like trying to bypass LinkedIn’s limits or engaging in fraudulent activities, be extra careful moving forward.

To prevent future restrictions, focus on genuine engagement with potential connections and avoid sharing sensitive content that could violate policies.

If you’re unsure, check LinkedIn tips or reach out to LinkedIn support for guidance.

You could also read LinkedIn’s blog for helpful information.

Lastly, if your restriction was due to minor violations, take the restriction period as a learning opportunity to improve your LinkedIn activity and avoid future LinkedIn bans.

Need some advice?

If you’re looking for a LinkedIn outreach strategy that will ensure you don’t get banned, why not hop on a free 15-minute LinkedIn strategy session with Jack Reamer, the founder of SalesBread?

We specialize in personalized LinkedIn outreach that promises our clients 1 qualified sales lead per day.

Jack Reamer Lead Generation Specialist

Jack Reamer

CEO of Salesbread.com

Jack Reamer is the CEO of SalesBread. Salesbread helps B2B companies get 1 qualified sales lead per day, by using ultra-personalized outreach messages on LinkedIn. Jack is also the co-host of the Cold Outreach Podcast. Read his articles on Mailshake.com, Reply.io, QuickMail.io, and SalesBread.