Summary

• There are three primary methods to export LinkedIn messages to Google Sheets: LinkedIn's slow native data archive, risky but customizable scrapers, and safe, real-time integration tools.

• LinkedIn's native export is free and safe for a one-time backup but can take up to 24 hours and requires manual data cleanup.

• Scrapers offer on-demand exports but are technically complex and carry a risk of account restrictions for violating LinkedIn's terms of service.

• For a professional workflow, dedicated tools like Kondo provide a real-time, automated sync to Google Sheets while also solving the root problem of inbox chaos with productivity features.

You've experienced it before: valuable LinkedIn messages from potential leads, clients, or candidates flooding your inbox, creating a chaotic mess that's virtually impossible to manage. As one frustrated professional put it, "Everyday I get tonnes of valuable LinkedIn messages, and it's a nightmare to manage!" Even worse, as another user lamented, "it's too easy for messages to get lost," leading to missed opportunities and delayed responses.

If you're nodding in agreement, you're not alone. The struggle is real, and many professionals are actively seeking a way to "automatically transfer messages...into a Google Sheet" for better tracking and management.

In this guide, we'll explore three distinct methods to export your LinkedIn conversations to Google Sheets, each catering to different technical skills and needs:

1. LinkedIn's Native Data Export: A straightforward but manual backup solution

2. Scraper & Automation Tools: A more technical, on-demand approach

3. Dedicated Integration Tools: A seamless, real-time professional workflow

But first, let's address a critical question.

Why Google Sheets as Your LinkedIn Message Hub?

Google Sheets offers an accessible, flexible solution that functions as a lightweight CRM for your LinkedIn communications. With Google Sheets, you can:

• Track conversations chronologically

• Filter messages by date, content, or sender

• Create custom tags and categories

• Share conversation data with your team

• Connect to other tools in your workflow

• Maintain a searchable archive of your professional communications

Now, let's explore your options for getting those valuable LinkedIn conversations into your Google Sheet.

Method 1: The Official LinkedIn Data Archive (The Manual Backup)

Who Is This Method For?

This approach is perfect for users who need a comprehensive, one-time backup of their entire message history. It's ideal for compliance purposes, personal records, or periodic reviews of your communications.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• 100% compliant with LinkedIn's terms of service

• No risk of account restrictions or "shadowbans"

• Completely free

• Includes your entire message history

Cons:

• Slow process (up to 24 hours for data preparation)

• Requires manual cleanup and formatting in Google Sheets

• One-time export rather than real-time syncing

• Doesn't solve day-to-day tracking needs

Step-by-Step: How to Download Your LinkedIn Message Archive

1. Click your profile icon on LinkedIn and select 'Settings & Privacy'

2. In the left sidebar, navigate to the 'Data privacy' section

3. Click on 'Get a copy of your data'

4. You'll see two options. For messages, select 'Want something in particular? Select the data files you're most interested in'

5. Check the box for 'Messages'

6. Click 'Request archive'. LinkedIn will take some time (up to 24 hours) to prepare your file

7. You will receive an email with a download link once it's ready

8. Download the CSV file and import it into a new Google Sheet

Privacy Note: Remember that this exported data contains sensitive communications. Store it securely with restricted access to comply with data protection laws and maintain professional confidentiality.

Method 2: Semi-Automated Export with Scrapers (The Tech-Savvy Approach)

Who Is This Method For?

This method is suited for users comfortable with browser extensions and automation tools who need to export specific conversations on demand. It's perfect for those who asked for "a tip on how to implement this in the simplest way, especially for a beginner" in automation.

A Word of Caution

Before proceeding, it's important to address a concern raised by many LinkedIn users: "Be careful as LinkedIn can apparently detect extensions that scrape LinkedIn and they can shadowban you." While powerful, these tools operate in a gray area. Use them responsibly and be aware of LinkedIn's policies on scraping and automation to avoid account restrictions.

Option A: Using an Automation Playbook with Bardeen

Concept: Bardeen uses a browser extension to extract data from your active LinkedIn tab and push it to Google Sheets using a pre-built "playbook."

Steps:

1. Install the Bardeen browser extension

2. Navigate to your LinkedIn messaging page

3. Activate the Bardeen extension and locate the "Save LinkedIn messages from the messaging page to Google Sheets" playbook

4. Run the playbook, which will extract the visible message data

5. Bardeen will then send this data directly to your designated Google Sheet

This method provides on-demand exports of conversations that are currently visible in your browser, making it more selective than the full data archive approach.

Option B: Building a Custom Workflow with Make.com & Browserflow

Concept: This more advanced automation workflow connects a web scraping tool (Browserflow) with an automation platform (Make.com) to read data from LinkedIn and update your Google Sheet.

Detailed Steps:

1. Setup Tools: Create accounts for Make.com, Browserflow, and ensure you have access to Google Sheets

2. Browserflow Setup:

   • Log in to Browserflow and get your API key from settings

   • Download a relevant template for message scraping

   • Store your LinkedIn cookies when prompted for authentication

3. Make.com Scenario Setup:

   • Create a new scenario in Make.com

   • Import a blueprint or create a custom workflow

4. Connect Browserflow:

   • Add your Browserflow API key to the "Start Browserflow Session" module

   • Configure the scraping parameters to target LinkedIn messages

5. Connect Google Sheets:

   • Add a Google Sheets module to your scenario

   • Specify the destination spreadsheet and configure how the data should be formatted

6. Set up a Webhook:

   • Use a Webhook module in Make.com to trigger the scenario on demand

7. Run the Workflow:

   • Once published, the scenario will run when triggered, scraping the data via Browserflow and populating your Google Sheet

For detailed instructions on setting up this workflow, you can refer to the Make.com community guide.

While this method requires more technical setup, it offers greater flexibility and can be customized to fit your specific needs for exporting LinkedIn conversations.

Method 3: Real-Time, Automated Sync with Kondo (The Professional Workflow)

Who Is This Method For?

This solution is designed for sales professionals, recruiters, founders, and consultants who need a reliable, real-time, and automated way to log LinkedIn conversations without manual work or complex setups. It's the definitive answer for users wanting an "external message CRM" for LinkedIn.

Beyond Exporting: Solving the Root Cause of Inbox Chaos

Exporting messages is often a workaround for a cluttered and unmanageable inbox. Kondo tackles this root problem by transforming your LinkedIn inbox into a streamlined communication hub – often described as 'Superhuman for LinkedIn'.

Kondo not only exports your conversations but also helps you manage them effectively with features like:

• Labels & Split Inboxes: Categorize conversations with custom labels (e.g., 'Hot Lead', 'Client') and view them in separate, prioritized inboxes

• Reminders (Snooze): Set follow-up reminders for any conversation, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks

• Keyboard Shortcuts: Navigate and process your inbox rapidly without touching your mouse

• Snippets: Save and reuse common messages with personalization variables

Step-by-Step: Setting Up the Kondo to Google Sheets Integration

1. Install Google Sheets Add-On:

   • Open your Google Sheet

   • Go to Extensions > Add-ons > Get add-ons

   • Search for Kondo, or install it directly from the Google Workspace Marketplace

2. Setup Webhook:

   • Once installed, navigate to Extensions > Kondo > Setup Webhook in the Google Sheets toolbar

3. Activate the Webhook:

   • Refresh your sheet. A new menu item, 'Kondo Webhook', will appear

   • Click it to activate the connection

4. Connect to Kondo:

   • Click Connect to Kondo and follow the pop-up prompts to authorize the connection between your Kondo account and Google Sheets

5. Select Trigger Type:

   • This is where the real power comes in. Choose your sync method:

     • Streaming: (Recommended) Automatically updates your Google Sheet in real-time whenever a change happens in Kondo (e.g., new messages, label changes, notes)

     • Manual: The sheet only updates when you manually trigger a sync from within Kondo

6. Understand Your Data:

   • The latest message is synced in streaming mode

   • The entire conversation history can be synced by triggering it from within an individual conversation in Kondo

   • Valuable context like labels and notes are included in the export

This integration is available on Kondo's Business Tier and provides the most comprehensive, automated solution for maintaining a real-time database of your LinkedIn conversations.

Comparison at a Glance: Which Method is Right for You?

Conclusion: Stop Exporting Chaos, Start Managing Conversations

The need to export LinkedIn conversations to Google Sheets often stems from a deeper problem: LinkedIn's native messaging experience makes it too easy to miss critical messages from leads, clients, or candidates.

For a simple backup, LinkedIn's native tool works well. For on-demand technical exports, scrapers provide flexibility. But for professionals who rely on LinkedIn conversations as a critical channel for business, a dedicated integration like Kondo offers the most comprehensive solution.

The ultimate goal isn't just to export messages, but to manage them effectively so nothing important is ever missed. With features like Labels, Snooze/Reminders, Snippets, and Keyboard Shortcuts, tools like Kondo help you achieve "Inbox Zero" and stay on top of every conversation.

The Google Sheets sync is the final piece that connects your efficient inbox to your team's central nervous system, ensuring perfect visibility and eliminating manual data entry. This way, you're not just exporting chaos – you're transforming it into a streamlined, productive workflow.

Ready to take control of your LinkedIn conversations? Choose the method that best fits your needs, technical comfort level, and professional requirements. Your future self (and your response rate) will thank you.