Summary

• LinkedIn's native contact export is unreliable and provides a static CSV file that often lacks email addresses and has no conversation history.

• Manually cleaning and importing this data into a CRM like HubSpot or Salesforce is a time-consuming and error-prone process.

• The most effective solution is to bypass manual exports by using a tool that automatically syncs LinkedIn contacts and conversations to your CRM.

• Kondo’s CRM & System Sync connects directly to tools like HubSpot and Salesforce, saving hours by keeping your data updated in real-time.

You've spent months, maybe years, building a valuable network on LinkedIn. Now you need to get those contacts into your CRM to nurture relationships and close deals. But when you try to export your connections, you hit a wall. The feature is hard to find, the exported file is missing key information like email addresses, and the entire process is a manual, time-consuming chore.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Getting your valuable LinkedIn data into your CRM is a common and frustrating challenge. The good news is that there’s a much better way.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through:

1. How to export contacts in LinkedIn using the official (but sometimes frustrating) method

2. Step-by-step instructions for importing that data into popular CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce

3. A modern solution that eliminates this manual process altogether

Let's dive in and solve this once and for all.

The Official Method: Exporting Your LinkedIn Connections

LinkedIn does provide a way to export your connection data, though the process has become less straightforward over time. Here's the current method:

Step 1: Access Your Data Export Options

1. Click the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage

2. Select Settings & Privacy from the dropdown

3. Navigate to the Data privacy tab on the left

4. Under the "How LinkedIn uses your data" section, click Get a copy of your data

Step 2: Request Your Connections Data

You'll now see two options:

1. Want something in particular? - This option lets you select specific data types, including Connections

2. Download larger data archive - This gives you your entire LinkedIn data archive

The fastest method is selecting "Want something in particular?" and checking Connections. However, many users report this option is often missing. If you don't see it, your best bet is to request the full archive by selecting Download larger data archive.

Step 3: Wait for Your Data

After clicking Request archive, LinkedIn will begin preparing your data. You'll receive an email with a download link within 24 hours (typically much sooner for the specific connections export, longer for the full archive).

Once received, download and unzip the file. For connection data, look for a file named Connections.csv.

The Reality Check: Limitations of LinkedIn's Native Export

While the export process might eventually work, there are several significant limitations you should be aware of:

1. Incomplete Data: Many contacts will be missing email addresses due to LinkedIn's privacy settings

2. Static Information: Your export is a one-time snapshot that doesn't update as your network grows

3. No Context or History: The export contains no message history, notes, or relationship context

4. Format Limitations: CSV files may not properly support all characters, especially in non-Latin languages

As one frustrated LinkedIn user put it, "This by far one of the worst things they have done recently!" The inconsistent availability of the export feature has left many professionals scrambling for workarounds.

The Next Hurdle: Importing LinkedIn Data into Your CRM

Once you've successfully exported your LinkedIn connections, the next challenge is getting that data into your CRM system in a usable format. Let's walk through the process for two of the most popular CRM platforms.

Preparing Your Data

Before importing, it's crucial to clean and organize your data:

1. Open your Connections.csv file in Excel or Google Sheets

2. Review the data for accuracy and relevance

3. Remove any connections you don't want in your CRM

4. Ensure column headers are clear for mapping (First Name, Last Name, Email, Company, etc.)

How to Import LinkedIn Contacts into HubSpot

In your HubSpot account, navigate to Contacts

1. In the upper right corner, click Import

2. Click Start an import > File from computer > One file > One object

3. Select Contacts as the object you're importing

4. Upload your cleaned Connections.csv file

5. Map your columns - This critical step connects your CSV data to HubSpot's contact properties:

   • Map First Name from CSV → First Name property in HubSpot

   • Map Last Name from CSV → Last Name property in HubSpot

   • Map Email Address from CSV → Email property in HubSpot

   • Map Company from CSV → Company Name property in HubSpot

   • Map Position from CSV → Job Title property in HubSpot

6. Review the import preview and resolve any errors

7. Finalize the import

How to Import LinkedIn Contacts into Salesforce

From Salesforce Setup, enter Data Import Wizard in the Quick Find box and select it

1. Click Launch Wizard!

2. Choose to import Accounts and Contacts

3. Select whether to add new records, update existing ones, or both

4. Upload your cleaned Connections.csv file

5. Map your fields - Match your CSV columns to the corresponding Salesforce fields:

   • Map First Name from CSV → First Name field in Salesforce

   • Map Last Name from CSV → Last Name field in Salesforce

   • Map Email Address from CSV → Email field in Salesforce

   • Map Company from CSV → Account Name field in Salesforce

   • Map Position from CSV → Title field in Salesforce

6. Review and start the import

The Downsides of Manual Imports

While these methods work, they come with significant drawbacks:

1. Time-Consuming: Sales teams waste up to 15 hours per month on repetitive admin tasks like manually adding contacts to CRMs

2. Error-Prone: Manual data cleaning and field mapping introduces opportunities for mistakes

3. Static Records: These imports create disconnected records with no link to ongoing LinkedIn conversations

4. Missing Context: The valuable history of your interactions stays trapped in LinkedIn

5. Requires Repetition: You'll need to repeat this entire process regularly to keep your CRM current

As one user lamented, "I can't believe they are making this harder for us!" The manual export-import dance is tedious, inefficient, and ultimately unsustainable for busy professionals.

The Modern Solution: Automating Your LinkedIn to CRM Workflow

What if you could eliminate the manual export process entirely? Modern tools now make it possible to automatically sync your LinkedIn activity directly with your CRM, saving time and ensuring your data stays current.

Kondo: Seamless LinkedIn to CRM Integration

Kondo offers a complete solution that transforms how your LinkedIn data connects to your CRM. Instead of manually exporting static contact lists, Kondo automatically syncs conversations and contact data in real-time.

How Kondo's CRM & System Sync Works:

1. Native Integrations: Kondo is officially on the HubSpot marketplace and has managed packages for Salesforce for seamless setup. It also integrates with Notion, Google Sheets, Attio, and Clarify.

2. Flexible Connections: For other CRMs or custom systems, Kondo supports webhooks, Zapier, and Make.com, allowing you to connect to virtually any platform.

3. What Actually Syncs: Unlike the basic LinkedIn export, Kondo can push:

   • The latest message or the entire conversation history

   • Labels you've applied in Kondo (e.g., 'Hot Lead', 'Follow Up')

   • Notes you've made on a contact

4. Workflow Integration: Kondo's other features complement the CRM sync:

   • Tag a conversation as "Hot Lead" in your Kondo inbox and automatically create a new deal in HubSpot

   • Set a reminder in Kondo to follow up and have all the context waiting for you in your CRM

   • Use snippets to respond quickly while maintaining a record of all communication

A user who switched to automated syncing shared: "This saves me hours of tedious work each week. No more 'Did I update the CRM?' moments – everything flows automatically."

Other Automation Options

While Kondo provides the most comprehensive LinkedIn-to-CRM integration, other tools offer partial solutions:

• Profile Scrapers/Exporters: Tools like Surfe and Hublead offer Chrome extensions that let you add contacts from a LinkedIn profile to your CRM with a single click. These are helpful for capturing profile data but don't offer the deep inbox and conversation-syncing capabilities of Kondo.

• Zapier/Make Workflows: You can create custom automations, though these typically require technical setup and don't capture the full context of your LinkedIn interactions.

Stop Exporting, Start Connecting

The journey of getting LinkedIn contacts into your CRM has evolved:

• The Past: LinkedIn's native export – unreliable, limited, and providing only static data

• The Present: Manual import processes – tedious, error-prone, and time-consuming

• The Future: Automated integration – seamless, comprehensive, and efficient

Stop treating LinkedIn as a separate island of data. With tools like Kondo, you can transform your LinkedIn DMs from a cluttered inbox into a powerful, fully-synced extension of your CRM. Log every crucial conversation, track leads seamlessly, and save yourself hours of manual data entry every week.

Ready to stop exporting CSVs and start closing deals? Explore Kondo's plans and get started with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I export my contacts from LinkedIn?

You can export contacts by going to your LinkedIn Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Get a copy of your data. From there, request either "Connections" or your full data archive. LinkedIn will then email you a link to a CSV file. This manual process provides a static list and must be repeated to keep your data current.

Why is the LinkedIn export connections option missing?

The option to export only connections is often unavailable or has been moved by LinkedIn, causing confusion for many users. If you cannot find the specific "Connections" checkbox, you must select the "Download larger data archive" option instead. This will provide all your data, including the connections CSV file.

What information is missing from a LinkedIn export?

LinkedIn's native export often lacks crucial data, including many email addresses (due to privacy settings), conversation history, and personal notes. The exported CSV file provides a basic, static snapshot of your network but omits the rich context needed for effective CRM management and follow-ups.

Can I automatically sync LinkedIn contacts to my CRM?

Yes, you can automatically sync LinkedIn contacts and conversations to your CRM using third-party integration tools like Kondo. These tools connect directly to CRMs like HubSpot or Salesforce, eliminating manual CSV exports and imports while keeping contact data and conversation history updated in real-time.

What is the best way to get LinkedIn contacts into a CRM?

The most effective method is using an automated integration tool that syncs data in real-time. While manual CSV export and import is an option, it is time-consuming and error-prone. Automation saves hours, includes vital conversation context, and ensures your CRM data is always current without any repetitive work.