Save LinkedIn InMail credits: tips to send smarter and get more replies

Saving InMail credits: what do these tips mean for you as a recruiter?

Tips for saving InMail credits aren't about sending fewer messages, they're about making smarter choices. The cost mostly comes from messages that get no reply. You only earn your credit back with a reply, including a rejection or a short Quick Reply. As a recruiter, you save mainly through two things: better targeting and making people want to reply. That means choosing the right channel and keeping your messages short, clear and personal. This raises your reply rate and keeps usage under control.

Understanding LinkedIn InMail credits: the rules behind our savings tips

What exactly is an InMail credit?

An InMail credit lets you send someone a direct message on LinkedIn without being connected. This option is available to users of LinkedIn Recruiter and Recruiter Lite. The number of credits you get depends on your subscription; you can find your balance in your account overview.

How does the 90-day rule for InMail work in practice?

Every time you send an InMail, one credit is deducted. Does the recipient reply within 90 days? Then that credit is automatically refunded. This is known as the 90-day rule. If someone doesn't reply, or replies too late, your credit is used up for good. Messages still awaiting a reply show as "pending" in your overview.

When do you get an InMail credit back?

A reply via plain text or via one of LinkedIn's standard buttons counts as an answer. This also includes a rejection or a message like "I'm not interested." As soon as someone replies within 90 days in one of these ways, you get your InMail credit refunded. It's therefore smart to ask a question the recipient can easily answer with a yes or no.

Quick Replies count too: what does that mean for you?

Quick Replies are the standard buttons a recipient can click, such as "Not interested" or "Tell me more." Because these options also count as an official reply, you don't need an elaborate response to get a credit back. By tailoring your message to these options, you make it easier for the recipient to respond, so you don't lose a credit.

Subscriptions, limits and Open Profile: the framework for saving credits

Example: 30 InMail credits with Recruiter Lite

Recruiter Lite users receive 30 InMail credits per month by default. This number is added to your balance every month, unless you've hit the cap. Larger subscriptions come with different numbers. Check your own contract to see what applies to you.

InMail credits per month in Recruiter, and saving up your balance

Depending on your Recruiter contract, you may have more InMail credits available each month. However, there's often a limit on how much you can carry over. Go beyond that limit and unused credits can expire. This is known as the "cap" on saving up InMail credits. Make sure you use your credits within the period to avoid losing them.

Open Profile InMail and the possible limit of 1,000 per month

Does someone have an Open Profile? Then you can often reach out for free without it costing you an InMail credit. In some cases, however, an Open Profile limit of 1,000 messages per month per user applies; anything above that still costs credits. Keep in mind that not everyone is open to Open Profile messages. So keep paying attention to relevance and tone. Avoid bulk sending, as misuse can lead LinkedIn to limit your reach.

Choosing smartly between InMail and a connection request: practical savings tips

When InMail is the best choice

Choose InMail when a contact is new to you, there's no shared context, and you want to put something to them directly. This is also useful when speed matters, for example with an urgent vacancy. This approach works especially well with "cold" contacts who are nonetheless a strong fit and may be open to a new challenge.

When a personal connection request is the smarter choice

Do you already share a network with someone, or have you previously engaged with their post or event? Then a personal connection request is often the better option. This doesn't cost an InMail credit and gives you room to build the conversation gradually. Once the other person accepts, you can continue the conversation through regular chat.

How to sharpen your InMail targeting as a recruiter

Good targeting prevents waste. Focus on profiles that match what you're looking for, have been active recently, or have a logical reason to talk about something new. Think of candidates with the right work experience, a recent profile change, or engagement with relevant content. This increases your chance of a reply and stops you spending credits on profiles with no interest.

How to spot a high reply chance and apply our savings tips effectively

The chance of a reply often depends on signals in the profile. Look out for recent updates, interactions such as likes or comments, or a work history that logically fits the role you're offering. It also helps if someone has previously been open to recruitment conversations. By steering on these signals, you increase your chance of a reply, and with it, of getting your InMail credit back. This makes this kind of analysis essential for every selection you make.

Personalisation tips for InMails that boost your reply rate and earn back credits

Structure of a short, clear InMail

A strong InMail has one point and one clear question. Leave out long introductions or multiple proposals. Start with a concrete reason for reaching out, explain why you're getting in touch, and close with a short question the recipient can easily answer.

Real personalisation versus fake personalisation

Writing personally means mentioning something that genuinely stands out in the profile. Refer, for example, to a previous employer, a shared post, or a specific project. Avoid clichés or vague compliments. You can personalise InMails without spending hours on every message, for example by building this efficiently into your current LinkedIn workflow.

One question, low barrier: how to make replying easy

A simple question makes it easy for the recipient. Think: "Are you open to a short conversation about something new?" or "Can I quickly tell you about this role?" Formulations like these lower the barrier, so you hear back more often. This means you get your InMail credit back more often too, boosting your return.

Follow-up without wasting extra credits

Not getting a reply? Then it's not always wise to send another InMail straight away. First check whether you can send a connection request, or reach the person through another channel. Don't simply repeat your first message; add a new angle or extra value. This keeps you relevant and stops you spending another credit for no result. An alternative to InMail follow-up like this can make your process considerably more effective.

Measuring InMail performance: from gut feeling to steering information

Which figures you should track at minimum

Two figures are crucial for structural improvement: your reply rate, and the percentage of messages where you get an InMail credit back. You'll find both in your LinkedIn dashboard. They show you what's working and where there's still room to optimise.

Analysing reply rate by target group segment

Are you recruiting for multiple roles or sectors? Then it pays to look at your performance per segment. IT professionals, after all, reply differently to finance experts. By mapping out these differences, you can sharpen your InMail targeting and avoid unnecessary waste.

From data to better decisions about credits

Do you see that certain target groups cost a lot of credits but deliver little? Then adjust your approach. Send fewer messages to that specific group and invest more in segments with a high reply rate. This way you work not only more economically, but also more effectively.

Team agreements and process: turn savings tips into your daily routine

A fixed approach helps you save credits consistently. Agree with your team on when to use InMail and when another channel fits better. Use InMail for cold but strong profiles. Use connection requests for contacts with context. And send nothing if the profile or the moment isn't right. For recruitment agencies with high volumes, this is the difference between working ad hoc and structured success.

How Elvatix helps you write better InMails within the same rules

Elvatix as a copilot in your existing LinkedIn flow

We don't change anything about the way you use LinkedIn. The rules around the 90 days and credits are set by LinkedIn and stay the same. What we add is smart text support. You keep working with your own flows, but with better input for faster results.

What we do and don't change about your InMail use

We don't add credits, but we do help you write strong messages faster that match your tone of voice. This raises your reply rate, and with it, the chance you get your InMail credit back. So you end up with more credits left over, without needing to send fewer messages.

The Manpower case: time saved and a slight rise in replies in one situation

In the Manpower case study, the team sent 260 InMails in 1.7 hours. The reply rate rose from 40 to 43 percent. That delivered dozens of credits, plus 40 hours of time saved. This example shows what's possible with a good approach, even without big promises.

Summary and the next step for your team

Tips for saving InMail credits are about making choices: who do you approach, through which channel, and in what tone? Smart use starts with sharp targeting, followed by good copy and a logical order of channels. By measuring what works and turning it into a fixed approach per team, you achieve structurally better results.

Want to make InMail use in your team more efficient, or write your messages faster and more personally without it costing hours every day? Get in touch with us to see which approach fits your team.