You can import leads into the LinkedIn Leads page by uploading a CSV file. Each lead in your file must include a LinkedIn Profile URL or profile slug. PhantomBuster automatically matches your CSV columns to supported Leads fields during import. Only data that matches existing LinkedIn Leads fields is imported, custom columns are ignored. You can import up to 9,000 leads at once, and your workspace can store up to 100,000 leads total.
Before you start
To import leads into the LinkedIn Leads database, your CSV file must meet the following conditions:
- Each lead must include at least one of the following:
- a LinkedIn Profile URL, or
- a LinkedIn profile slug
- Only data that matches existing LinkedIn Leads fields can be imported.
- Supported fields are imported if mapped correctly.
- Custom columns that don't exist in PhantomBuster are ignored and not imported.
→ If your CSV file doesn't include any LinkedIn Profile URLs, PhantomBuster will guide you to find them before importing.
Step 1: Open the CSV import flow
- In your PhantomBuster Workspace, open the LinkedIn Leads page.
- Click Add new leads.
- Select Import contacts and click Import CSV.
Step 2: Upload your CSV file
- In the Import CSV window, select your CSV file (or drag and drop it).
- Click Confirm to continue to the next step.
Step 3: Choose where to import your leads
Depending on whether you already have lead lists in your LinkedIn Leads page, you'll see one or both options:
-
Create a new list:
Use this if this is your first lead list, or if you want to start a new one.
-
Import to an existing list:
Use this if you already have lead lists and want to add new leads to one of them.
If you create a new list:
- Enter a list name.
- Continue to field matching.
Step 4: Review and adjust field matching
PhantomBuster automatically matches your CSV columns to LinkedIn Leads fields based on column names and content.
- Review the suggested field mapping.
- Make sure the column containing the LinkedIn Profile URL (or profile slug) is mapped correctly.
- Adjust any incorrect mappings using the dropdowns if needed.
- When everything looks correct, click Confirm to start the import.
The Confirm button will stay greyed out if either condition below isn't met:
- The LinkedIn Profile URL (or slug) column isn't correctly mapped to the LinkedIn Profile URL field above.
- You haven't selected an existing list or entered a name for a new list in Step 3.
Both must be in place before the button becomes active.
Important notes about field matching
-
If your CSV headers are clear (for example: linkedinProfileUrl, firstName, lastName, companyName), field matching usually works well and doesn't require changes.
- If your CSV headers are unclear, generic or missing (for example: column1, text, value), the matching may be incomplete or incorrect and should be reviewed carefully before confirming.
→ Always double-check that the LinkedIn Profile URL (or slug) field is mapped correctly before continuing.
What happens after PhantomBuster checks your CSV
After you upload your file and confirm field matching, PhantomBuster checks whether your leads contain the required LinkedIn data.
If some leads are missing LinkedIn Profile URLs
- PhantomBuster displays a warning before importing.
- Leads that can't be imported are listed by their row number in the CSV.
- You can then:
- Confirm to import only the valid leads, or
- Cancel to update your CSV and try again.
Only leads with a LinkedIn Profile URL (or slug) are imported.
If no LinkedIn Profile URLs are found in the file
- You won't be able to import the CSV directly.
- PhantomBuster redirects you to the LinkedIn Profile URL Finder to help find LinkedIn Profile URLs for your leads.
-
To access them, open the LinkedIn Profile URL Finder Phantom's console, go to the Leads tab, and click View my leads.
→ This opens the LinkedIn Leads page with a filtered view of the imported leads, where you can save them as a Lead list if needed.
Import limits
- You can import up to 9,000 leads at once using a CSV file. Larger imports may take slightly longer to process.
- The LinkedIn Leads database can store up to 100,000 leads per workspace in total.
After your import is complete
Once the import finishes, your leads are available in the LinkedIn Leads page.
- If you imported into an existing list, the leads are added to that list.
- If you created a new list, it appears in the left-hand panel with your imported leads.
From there, you can review and filter your leads, save Lead lists, or use them in compatible LinkedIn automations.
→ Learn more in Create Filtered Lead Lists for Smarter Outreach and Use and Manage Lead lists in your Automations.
Frequently asked questions
What file format does the LinkedIn Leads import support?
Only CSV files are supported. Your file must include at least a LinkedIn Profile URL or LinkedIn profile slug column for each lead.
What happens to columns in my CSV that don't match LinkedIn Leads fields?
They are ignored during import. Only columns that match supported LinkedIn Leads fields are imported. Custom or unrecognized columns are skipped.
Can I import leads without LinkedIn Profile URLs?
Not directly. If your CSV has no LinkedIn Profile URLs, PhantomBuster redirects you to the LinkedIn Profile URL Finder Phantom to locate them first.
How many leads can I import at once?
You can import up to 9,000 leads per CSV upload. Your Workspace can store up to 100,000 leads total in the LinkedIn Leads database.
What happens if a lead I'm importing already exists in my Leads page?
Leads are deduplicated based on the LinkedIn Profile URL. If the URL already exists, the lead isn't added again.
Why is the Confirm button greyed out?
Two conditions must both be met before the Confirm button becomes active:
(1) the LinkedIn Profile URL or slug column must be correctly mapped to the LinkedIn Profile URL field in the field matching step, and (2) you must have selected an existing list or entered a name for a new list in the previous step. If either is missing, the button stays inactive.