What is LinkedIn Data? Examples, Providers & Datasets to Buy

Use cases for LinkedIn Data in Detail

LinkedIn Data can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Talent Acquisition: Recruiters can use LinkedIn Data to identify potential candidates for job openings and build a talent pipeline.
• Sales and Marketing: Companies can use LinkedIn Data to identify and target potential customers, build brand awareness, and generate leads.
• Industry Insights: Researchers and analysts can use LinkedIn Data to gain insights into industry trends, consumer behavior, and market dynamics.

What Should Companies Consider When Buying LinkedIn Data?

When buying LinkedIn Data from an external provider, companies should consider the following factors:

• Data Quality: Ensure that the data is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to your business needs.
• Data Usage: Understand the terms of use for the data, including any restrictions on how it can be used and shared.
• Compliance: Ensure that the data provider is compliant with applicable data privacy regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA.
• Cost: Consider the cost of the data and whether it is worth the investment for your business.

How is LinkedIn Data Collected?

LinkedIn Data is collected through a variety of sources and methods, including:

• User Profiles: LinkedIn users create profiles that contain information about their education, work experience, skills, and interests. This data is voluntarily provided by the user and can be used to build a comprehensive view of their professional identity. Usually, data providers use web scraping technology to crawl LinkedIn profiles at scale.
• Job Postings: Companies post job openings on LinkedIn, which include information about the position, requirements, and qualifications. This data can be used to crawl the web and identify companies that are hiring and the skills and experience they are looking for.
• Company Pages: Companies have LinkedIn pages that provide information about their business, products, and services. This data can be used to identify companies that are relevant to your business and industry. Again, this information is usually web scraped.
• User Activity: LinkedIn users engage with content on the platform, including posts, articles, and comments. This data can be used to understand user behavior and preferences.
• Third-Party Data Providers: In addition to data collected directly from LinkedIn, there are third-party data providers that specialize in LinkedIn Data. These providers may collect and aggregate data from multiple sources, including LinkedIn itself, as well as other online and offline sources used for data verification and enrichment.

How Can Companies Assess the Quality of LinkedIn Data?

Assessing the quality of LinkedIn Data is an important step in purchasing data from an external provider. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating the quality of LinkedIn Data:

• Accuracy: The data should be accurate and up-to-date, with minimal errors or duplicates. Look for data providers that use a variety of sources to verify and update their data regularly.
• Relevance: The data should be relevant to your business needs and targeted to your specific audience. Look for data providers that offer customizable data fields and filtering options.
• Completeness: The data should be comprehensive and contain all relevant information for the intended use case. Look for data providers that offer a high volume of data and include multiple data points per record.
• Timeliness: The data should be timely and reflect current market and industry trends. Look for data providers that offer real-time data feeds or regularly update their data.
• Compliance: The data should be compliant with applicable data privacy regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA. Look for data providers that have transparent data privacy policies and adhere to industry best practices.

To assess the quality of LinkedIn Data, companies can request sample data sets from potential data providers and evaluate the data against these criteria. Companies can also read customer reviews and ratings of data providers and ask for references from existing customers to gauge the quality of their data and services. Ultimately, working with a reputable data provider that prioritizes data quality and customer satisfaction is key to ensuring the success of your data-driven initiatives.

Can companies use LinkedIn Data for lead generation?

Yes, companies can use LinkedIn Data for lead generation. LinkedIn provides a range of tools and features for lead generation, including Sales Navigator and LinkedIn Ads. In addition, third-party data providers can offer targeted lists of potential leads based on specific criteria, such as job title, industry, and location.

Can companies use LinkedIn Data for job candidate screening?

Yes, companies can use LinkedIn Data for job candidate screening. LinkedIn provides a range of tools and features for talent acquisition, including LinkedIn Recruiter and LinkedIn Jobs. In addition, third-party data providers can offer targeted lists of potential candidates based on specific criteria, such as skills, experience, and education. However, it’s important to ensure that the use of LinkedIn Data for candidate screening is compliant with applicable employment laws and regulations.

How can companies buy LinkedIn Data from an external data provider?

There are several ways companies can buy LinkedIn Data from an external data provider. One option is to purchase data directly from LinkedIn’s Sales Solutions division, which offers a range of products and services for sales and marketing professionals. Another option is to work with a third-party data provider that specializes in LinkedIn Data, such as Coresignal and Bright Data.

How is LinkedIn Data priced?

In general, LinkedIn Data is priced on a per-record basis, with prices ranging from a few cents per record to several dollars per record. Some data providers may also offer subscription plans that provide access to a certain volume of data over a set period of time, such as a month or a year. Before purchasing LinkedIn Data, it’s important to understand the pricing structure and ensure that it aligns with your business needs and budget.