The PhantomBuster browser extension lets you connect your social media accounts in one click and capture LinkedIn leads directly while browsing. It's available for Chrome (recommended) and Firefox, and works with LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, and Slack. Install it from the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons, then log into your social media account and PhantomBuster in the same browser, the extension detects your session automatically.
What the PhantomBuster extension does
1. Connect your accounts in one click:
When you launch an automation (Phantom or Workflow), the extension can detect your session automatically, no need to manually copy cookies or paste anything.
- Supported on Chrome and Firefox.
- Safari is not supported.
- On Microsoft Edge, install from the Chrome Web Store (if allowed by your org).
2. Capture leads while browsing LinkedIn:
When you're visiting a LinkedIn profile, the extension adds a panel on the side where you can capture contact info, save leads, and send them to your CRM (HubSpot).
The Lead panel in LinkedIn is currently only available on Google Chrome. It's not supported in Firefox, Edge, or Safari.
How to install the PhantomBuster browser extension
Supported browsers:
Safari is not supported. On Microsoft Edge, install from the Chrome Web Store (if allowed by your org).
Your browser must be fully up to date for the extension to work correctly.
How to connect your session (any platform)
Session connection works on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, and Slack.
To use the extension with automations:
- Open a supported browser (Chrome or Firefox) where the extension is installed.
- Log into your social media account (e.g, LinkedIn or Facebook, etc.) in the same browser.
- Log in to your PhantomBuster workspace.
- From your Solutions page, open the Phantom or workflow you want to use and click Use now.
We'll use a LinkedIn Phantom as an example for the next steps. - When you reach the Connect to LinkedIn step, the extension will detect your session automatically.
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Confirm your session:
Once your session is detected, save it. Your LinkedIn account is now connected and ready to use.
Once installed, the extension works silently in the background. As long as you're logged into LinkedIn (or your social media account) in that browser, your session stays active and PhantomBuster can keep automations running smoothly.
How to use the LinkedIn lead panel from the extension (Chrome only)
You can open the lead panel on any standard LinkedIn profile to view, enrich, and save lead data, all without leaving the page.
The extension is always linked to the current workspace you're active in on the PhantomBuster dashboard. If you switch workspaces, the extension updates automatically.
Currently only works on standard LinkedIn profiles, not on Sales Navigator.
Here's how each feature works:
1. Open the panel on a LinkedIn profile
- Go to a LinkedIn profile page. When you visit one, you'll see a notification on the PhantomBuster extension icon in your browser bar.
- Click the icon to open the panel manually (it won't open automatically).
→ If you're not on a profile page, the panel will show a message letting you know.
2. Reveal email and phone information
- In the panel, click the Get info button to start enrichment. It can take up to 2 minutes for the contact info to appear.
→ The results will appear in the panel and indicate whether the contact details were found by PhantomBuster or not.
→ If an email is found, the used credit will be deducted and reflected in your usage page (this update may also take up to 2 minutes). - You can view a history of your enrichment attempts, successful or not, by clicking the credits button in the extension. This opens your Activity list:
- The Activity view displays a list of leads you've tried to enrich.
- It's for reference only: export is not available.
- This lets you keep track of what you've already tried without leaving your browser.
3. Save the lead to your workspace
To save a lead to your PhantomBuster workspace:
- In the panel, click the Update profile dropdown and select Save to list.
- Choose one of the following options:
- None: the lead will be saved to your workspace but not added to any specific list. You can organize it later using filters or by adding it to a saved list.
- An existing list from your workspace.
- Create a new list directly from the dropdown.
This lets you organize your leads right from the LinkedIn profile view.
Send the lead to HubSpot
To export a lead directly to HubSpot from the LinkedIn panel:
- With the panel open, click the Update profile dropdown.
- Select Connect and save to CRM.
- Choose HubSpot (currently the only CRM available), then click Connect now.
What happens next:
- The first time you click Connect now, you'll authorize the connection between PhantomBuster and HubSpot.
- Once connected, the Save button will change to Save to HubSpot.
- Click it again to actually send the lead.
- A Synced label will appear in the panel.
4. Build your outreach campaign
Launching an automation through the extension uses slots, just like launching from the dashboard.
→ If no slots are available, an error message will appear.
To start engaging with your lead:
- In the panel, click Add to outreach.
- Choose to:
- Select an existing outreach campaign from your PhantomBuster workspace.
- Or, create a new campaign by naming it and optionally adding:
- A connection message
- A follow-up message
- Once you're done, click Confirm.
→ You can then activate and manage your campaign directly from your PhantomBuster dashboard.
Good to know about the Lead panel
- Lead panel is LinkedIn-only, Sales Navigator is not supported.
- No scrape limits, panel actions are manual and safe.
- Data pulled through the panel is limited to what is already visible to you on the profile.
- You can access your Activity view from the extension to see enriched leads, but it cannot be exported.
- The extension reflects the workspace you're currently in. Switching workspaces updates it automatically.
- Automations launched via the extension use up slots, just like launching them from your PhantomBuster dashboard.
Frequently asked questions
Which browsers support the PhantomBuster extension?
The extension works on Chrome (recommended) and Firefox. Safari is not supported. On Microsoft Edge, you can install it from the Chrome Web Store if your organization allows it. Make sure your browser is fully up to date for the extension to work correctly.
Do I need the extension to use PhantomBuster?
No. The extension is optional but recommended because it makes connecting your accounts faster: it detects your session automatically instead of requiring you to copy and paste cookies manually. You can still connect accounts without it by following the manual connection guides.
Does the LinkedIn lead panel work on Sales Navigator?
No. The lead panel currently only works on standard LinkedIn profiles, not on Sales Navigator pages. It's also only available on Chrome. Firefox, Edge, and Safari are not supported for this feature.
Does using the extension cost extra credits?
The extension itself is free. However, using the "Get info" button in the lead panel to reveal email and phone data uses your email discovery credits, just like running an enrichment Phantom would. Credit usage is reflected on your Usage page.
Why isn't the extension detecting my session?
Make sure you're logged into the social media platform (e.g., LinkedIn) in the same browser where the extension is installed, and that you're also logged into your PhantomBuster Workspace. If the issue persists, try updating your browser, reinstalling the extension, or clearing your browser cache. See How Account Connections Work for more troubleshooting options.