A Beginner’s Guide to LinkedIn Scraping (10 Best Tools)

With over 660 million users, LinkedIn is considered an excellent data source. This is why numerous companies gather data from profiles and pages on the said platform.

LinkedIn scraping is the process of extracting valuable data from LinkedIn profiles, pages, and search results. This process is often used for market research and recruitment. 

The question now is, “How do you even scrape LinkedIn?” Continue reading to learn more about LinkedIn scraping and the best tools you can use. 

Can You Scrape LinkedIn?

Yes, you can scrape LinkedIn. However, there are rules to follow before doing so. You need permission before collecting any data from the platform. Unauthorized scraping can be considered a breach of the User Agreement. 

It is also best to consider the type of data that you intend to scrape. Make sure to only scrape public data to avoid any legal consequences. Information that you can scrape on LinkedIn includes:

• Company Names
• Names
• Job titles
• Education History
• Skills

Find out how LinkedIn scraping works and how you can do it on your own in the following sections. Read on. 

How LinkedIn Scraping Works

LinkedIn scraping works like other scraping processes. It involves requesting data, receiving the code, and collecting valuable information.

While the process is the same, the approaches can differ. There are two ways to scrape LinkedIn: manual and automated. Explore how these two methods work below:

Manually Creating Your LinkedIn Scraper

Building your free LinkedIn scraping tool requires basic coding knowledge—especially in Python. 

This manual approach is ideal if affordability is crucial for your scraping project. You do not have to spend a cent on a special tool since you will make the scraper from free libraries and built-in programs. 

Getting an Automated LinkedIn Scraper 

If you want a hassle-free scraping experience, get a LinkedIn scraper. There are many scraper tools that you can easily get on the Internet, but some can be expensive. Most of them also set limits on the data that you can scrape. 

Always check the price, features, and capabilities to choose the LinkedIn scraper that suits your needs. 

Whether you plan to scrape using the manual or automatic approach, check out how you can start scraping LinkedIn in the following sections. 

Scraping LinkedIn With Python

Manually scraping data on LinkedIn requires the following:

• Code Editor: a software that lets you type your Python code. Some of the code editors that you can use are Visual Studio Code and Sublime Text.
• Python: the best programming language for scraping projects since it is easy to use. Install Python 3.8 (or newer) on your computer.

To make sure your computer has Python installed, run this script on your terminal or Command Prompt:

After securing the requirements, follow the steps below to start scraping LinkedIn:

1. Install the Necessary Libraries

You’ll need to import requests module to make HTTP requests and BeautifulSoup library to parse the HTML content. To do this, open your computer’s Command Prompt or Terminal. Run these commands:

2. Create a File

In your code editor, create a new file. Save it with a Python extension. For example, you can save it as:  ‘scrapelinkedin.py’

3. Get Data From LinkedIn

Send an HTTP GET request to the LinkedIn page you want to scrape using the request library. Then, parse the HTML content of the page using BeautifulSoup.

4. Handle Pagination

To scrap multiple pages like search results, you must deal with pagination. Go through each page, send requests, and parse the contents.

5. Store the Data

Store the data extracted in a CSV file. It should look like this:

It can be challenging for some users to understand how data collection works. If you need more details, here's a tutorial by Luke Barousse on scraping LinkedIn data with Python:

LinkedIn Scraping Using a Scraper Tool 

Scraper tools simply visit LinkedIn profiles and extract public data according to your instructions. 

Using LinkedIn scraper tools might differ depending on the tool you’re using. However, the overall process typically involves the following:

• Log in to LinkedIn and allow access to tools.

Log in to your LinkedIn account. Grant the tool permission to access your LinkedIn account on your behalf.

• Enter the URL of the LinkedIn profile that you want to scrape.

Enter the web address of the LinkedIn profile that you plan to scrape. Adjust other necessary settings.

• Start scraping.

Start scraping using the tool's features. This step usually involves clicking the "Scrape" or “Start” button.

• Let the tool work on extracting the data.

The tool will automatically collect information from the LinkedIn profile and put it in specific areas.

• Save the data in your preferred format.

Once the tool has finished scraping, save the information in CSV or Excel format.

10 Best Tools for LinkedIn Scraping

There are numerous scraper tools on the web. Each one has its features and advantages. Check out the top 10 tools you can use for LinkedIn scraping below:

1. Dripify 

Features

• Sales performance monitoring
• Time and cost savings 
• Fast and efficient
• Advanced search
• Email finder

Pricing: Starts at $39 per month

Dripify is straightforward to navigate due to its simple interface. Setting it up does not require any technical know-how. 

This tool can also gather data on multiple LinkedIn profiles simultaneously. It even lets you scrape skills, profile type, groups, and educational background besides the typical details you see on a LinkedIn profile. 

2. Oxylabs

Features

• Large and unique proxies
• Different target locations 
• User-friendly interface
• Easy integration
• 24/7 support

Pricing: Residential plans start at: 

• $300/month for starter 
• $600/month for business

Oxylabs is a practical scraping tool that can collect high-quality data while ensuring accuracy. It also offers reliable proxies to avoid IP blocks. 

However, Oxylabs is more expensive than other LinkedIn scrapers. Users also have to allot time to learn how to use the tool. 

3. NimbleWay

Features

• Shows updates in real-time
• Easy to use
• Works with other tools
• Customize how it works
• Tracks email engagements
• Manages email campaigns

Pricing: $24.90/month for annual plan; or 

    $29.90/month for monthly

NimbleWay is a tool that scrapes URLs, names, and job titles of LinkedIn profiles. It avoids extracting sensitive information like email addresses or phone numbers.

The best thing about NimbleWay is it lets you automatically visit profiles, connect with people, and send messages based on the data you gathered from scraping.

Remember that NimbleWay’s effectiveness depends on how the user utilizes its features. If you get NimbleWay for your next project, familiarize yourself with its attributes to make the most of it. 

4. Evaboot

Features

• Profile data extraction

• Automating extensive data extraction

• Saving data in different formats

• Keep data safe and secure
• Custom search filters

Pricing: Starts at $19/month

With its easy-to-use interface, Evaboot is a practical tool that lets you gather valuable data on potential clients. While it only offers limited scraping features, it is one of the most affordable options in the market. 

5. PhantomBuster

Features

• Collecting and sharing data
• Pulling information from documents
• Identifying IP addresses
• Finding phone numbers
• Managing workflows

Pricing: PhantomBuster prices depending on what features you need and the number of users. It includes

• Starter: $59/month 
• Pro: $139/month 
• Team: $399/month 

If you are looking for a scraper that offers a wide variety of features, PhantomBuster is the answer. It lets you scrape LinkedIn search results, profiles, connections, and companies. PhantomBuster even lets you send connection requests with introduction and follow-up messages. 

Keep in mind that PhantomBuster can cost more than other tools due to the numerous features it offers. Using it may also seem complex to some users. 

6. Lyne.ai 

Features

• Chat with teammates

• Plan meetings and events

• Handle tasks and lists

• Share files and work together
• Link with apps like Goole Calendar

Pricing: Basic monthly plan can be as low as $39

Lyne.ai is another excellent scraping tool for LinkedIn. It makes networking on the platform easier. This tool can automate profile visits, connection requests, and messages to help you save time and effort. It even provides insights on how to improve your campaigns. 

7. Derrick App

Features

• Collecting and sharing data

• Verifies data

• Uses multiple sources to get data 
• Exports data to CSV formats

Pricing: You get 200 credits per month for free. You can upgrade for as low as €9 per month to access more features. 

Derrick App is a free tool that is efficient in extracting data. It can access and  scrape large data sets. It can even handle complex data structures. 

However, the Derrick App has some limitations. Users must have technical knowledge to use this tool, especially since it requires continuous maintenance. Derrick App may not also work with sites that have built-in protection. 

8. Captain Data

Features

• Gathers information from websites without coding.

• Combines website information with other sources of information.

• Usable with spreadsheets or CRMs.
• Allows connection with other software

Pricing: Basic plans start at $399/month

Captain Data is an effective scraper tool that is known to be capable of handling large amounts of data. It can even extract information from external sources. 

Note that this scraping tool requires constant internet access to work. Depending on the type of project that you’re working on, some customization features may be limited. 

9. Octopus CRM

Features

• Send mass personalized connections

• Profile browsing and extraction.

• Automate messaging connections 
• Endorse skills of connections.

Pricing: Starts at $9.99/month

Octopus CRM is a tool that offers a wide range of integrations with other tools. It has detailed reporting and analytics. Octopus CRM even provides automated contact management and sales performance reports.

The only downside to using Octopus CRM is that its monthly costs can increase over time. 

10. LinkedHelper

Features

• Manage campaigns
• Track activities
• Set up workflows
• Customer relationship management
• Contact list

Pricing: Pricing details for LinkedHelper are as follows:

• 1 month: $15
• 3 months: $40
• 6 months: $60
• 12 months: $99

LinkedHelper is a tool that can help you automate your manual work on LinkedIn. It works like a web browser and can repeat your actions on LinkedIn. 

This tool allows you to scrape without changing anything on the LinkedIn website. Overall, it is a safe and powerful tool to help boost your LinkedIn experience.

Reasons to Scrape LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a goldmine of data for advertising, business, and other purposes. Due to its abundance of information, people scrape LinkedIn for different reasons. Below are the most common ones:

Lead Generation

Sales reps and recruiters scrape LinkedIn to find potential clients or candidates. You can use filters to narrow down preferences like jobs, industries, or company sizes. With LinkedIn data, you can send targeted messages to people who might like your proposal.

Market Research

Marketers and businesses scrape LinkedIn to get data about other companies. Doing so helps them see the trend in the industry. 

Gathering data on the market and other companies helps a business make intelligent choices, find competitors, and improve strategies.

Recruitment

Companies scrape LinkedIn to find potential candidates. They can find people with the right skills or experience using LinkedIn's data. This makes the recruitment and hiring process faster. 

Conclusion

LinkedIn scraping is the process of collecting information from the largest professional network through automated data extraction. This process is helpful in recruitment, finding leads, and market research.

Scrape LinkedIn for free using Python or pay for an automated LinkedIn scraper tool. Both methods are effective and have their advantages. 

Regardless of the approach, always abide by LinkedIn terms to avoid facing legal consequences. Make sure to only scrape public data and obtain permission to scrape the site.