When you set up a Phantom, you’ll be prompted to connect your social media account, such as LinkedIn, or Instagram. This secure connection allows PhantomBuster to perform actions on your behalf. This guide explains why that access is needed, introduces the concepts of session cookies and user agent, and what to expect during setup.
Why PhantomBuster needs access to your account
PhantomBuster automates actions as if you were doing them manually like visiting a profile, sending a message, or extracting results from a page you’re logged into.
To do this, PhantomBuster needs temporary access to your session, not your password or login credentials.
Think of it as granting PhantomBuster a visitor pass for your account: just enough to complete the task you've set up.
What is a session cookie
A session cookie is a small piece of data your browser saves when you log into a website.
It tells the website: “This person is already logged in, no need to ask for the password again.”
PhantomBuster uses your session cookie to:
- Confirm you're logged into your account.
- Perform actions like visiting profiles or sending messages.
- Stay connected without interrupting your active session.
Session cookies are:
- Temporary: they expire if you log out or stay inactive.
- Secure: PhantomBuster never accesses your credentials.
This is a tutorial on what a session cookie is and how it works.
What is a user agent (LinkedIn only)
For LinkedIn and Sales Navigator, PhantomBuster also needs your user agent: a short bit of text that tells LinkedIn which browser and device you're using.
This helps PhantomBuster match your real browsing environment, keeping your connection stable and trusted.
You can find you user agent by searching “What’s my user agent” on Google:
You don’t need a user agent for other platforms like Instagram, Twitter/X, or Facebook.
What to expect when connecting your account
When you set up a Phantom that requires a login (e.g. LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or X/Twitter), you'll see a prompt to connect your account.
There are two ways to connect:
-
Use the PhantomBuster browser extension: fast, automatic, and recommended when possible.
→ Learn How the extension works and what you can do with it. - Connect manually: ideal if the extension isn’t available or if you’re connecting someone else’s account (LinkedIn only).
Once connected, your session is saved and will remain active until it expires or the account logs out. If your session expires, you’ll be prompted to reconnect before running your Phantom again.
Special case: Connecting LinkedIn accounts
PhantomBuster supports multiple connection methods for LinkedIn, depending on who owns the account:
Connect your own LinkedIn account
- Use the PhantomBuster browser extension (recommended).
→ Learn How the extension works and what you can do with it. - Or manually enter your session cookie and user agent.
Use multiple LinkedIn accounts in the same workspace
You can connect and manage several LinkedIn profiles from one PhantomBuster workspace, whether they belong to teammates or external contributors.
Here’s how it works:
- Teammates (inside your workspace) can log into PhantomBuster and connect their own LinkedIn accounts. Once connected, their sessions are available to use across Phantoms.
- External contributors (outside your workspace) can share access via a magic link or by providing their session cookie and user agent. They don’t need PhantomBuster access and won’t see anything in your workspace.
This setup is ideal for teams or agencies managing outreach across different reps, clients, or personas, all from one place.