Tracking Acceptance Rates for LinkedIn Connection Requests: Insights Needed

Paul B. · 2025-04-25T20:17:08.022Z

Is anyone out there tracking their acceptance rates on LinkedIn connection requests? About 12-18 months ago, I used to get 40% no problem. Lately I'm around 15-20%. (This is strictly for cold outbounds.) I haven't drastically changed my targeting or the text in my requests. I think as utilization of outbound platforms has picked up steam, prospects are getting severely fatigued, and they're just more resistant than ever. Is this what others are observing too?

Tracking Acceptance Rates for LinkedIn Connection Requests: Insights Needed | RevGenius

11 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

Mike C.
·
·
Yep, I'm seeing very similar rates. My hunch is that everyone just has 1 million connection request pending so naturally acceptances are going to be a little slower lol. I know personally I have like 20 or 25 just kind of always sitting there. Once a week, I'll do a full clear. If they know I was coming/vice versa, then obviously acceptance rate is higher. Edit: i'm also talking about the numbers. I'm seeing for my clients across the board, not percentages for myself. I haven't kept a log of my own, but I feel like I'm super close to 75 or 80% acceptance. I don't feel like mine is wavering too much.
👍1
William M.
·
·
Gotta stand out with your messaging! I keep mine short, simple, and to the point. Works fairly well.
❤️1
Paul B.
·
·
William M. totally agree about the messaging. Do you know your accept rate? And has it been steady over time?
William M.
·
·
Paul B. I don’t have exact rates, and I’m also using for job hunting so it might be completely different than standard prospecting rates.
Guilherme P.
·
·
I feel that if you send a message and it's not relevant or you are trying to sell right away, it can trigger sales resistance on prospects thus not accepting them. Without messaging, they might slip through the net and accept it. I've read reports saying it's better to not include messages but there's people who would argue the opposite as well. I have been trying connecting without messages and it has been working out better. Sometimes people might feel they have to get back to you if they receive a message. Good luck with your outreach and happy friday!
3
William M.
·
·
^ this exactly
Brad M.
·
·
Hi Paul B. I interviewed a dozen CROs and heard the same thing - 30% - 40% lower response rates on LinkedIn and email. So we built a no-tech solution to handle it. A way to jumpstart convos with prospects and build relationships. https://revgenius.slack.com/archives/C06FEDQKG7Q/p1747253297957439 Look forward to hearing your thoughts! - Brad
Brad M.
·
·
I'm around 35% acceptance rate, with no message. Including a message hasn't helped, but maybe others are different
Mike C.
·
·
Ya! WAY back up. I'm between 30 and 70% depending on client industry. I always put a message with my Connect request because it filters out all the folks that want nothing to do with me lol. Reply rate is my north star.
Paul B.
·
·
Mike C. to what do you attribute the turnaround? Something you're doing differently? Or algo changes?
Mike C.
·
·
Tightening up ICPs, reaching out to only folks who have more than 500 connections, tight messaging, always a message with a connect request

Mike C.
·
·
Yep, I'm seeing very similar rates. My hunch is that everyone just has 1 million connection request pending so naturally acceptances are going to be a little slower lol. I know personally I have like 20 or 25 just kind of always sitting there. Once a week, I'll do a full clear. If they know I was coming/vice versa, then obviously acceptance rate is higher. Edit: i'm also talking about the numbers. I'm seeing for my clients across the board, not percentages for myself. I haven't kept a log of my own, but I feel like I'm super close to 75 or 80% acceptance. I don't feel like mine is wavering too much.
👍1
William M.
·
·
Gotta stand out with your messaging! I keep mine short, simple, and to the point. Works fairly well.
❤️1
Paul B.
·
·
William M. totally agree about the messaging. Do you know your accept rate? And has it been steady over time?
William M.
·
·
Paul B. I don’t have exact rates, and I’m also using for job hunting so it might be completely different than standard prospecting rates.
Guilherme P.
·
·
I feel that if you send a message and it's not relevant or you are trying to sell right away, it can trigger sales resistance on prospects thus not accepting them. Without messaging, they might slip through the net and accept it. I've read reports saying it's better to not include messages but there's people who would argue the opposite as well. I have been trying connecting without messages and it has been working out better. Sometimes people might feel they have to get back to you if they receive a message. Good luck with your outreach and happy friday!
3
William M.
·
·
^ this exactly
Brad M.
·
·
Hi Paul B. I interviewed a dozen CROs and heard the same thing - 30% - 40% lower response rates on LinkedIn and email. So we built a no-tech solution to handle it. A way to jumpstart convos with prospects and build relationships. https://revgenius.slack.com/archives/C06FEDQKG7Q/p1747253297957439 Look forward to hearing your thoughts! - Brad
Brad M.
·
·
I'm around 35% acceptance rate, with no message. Including a message hasn't helped, but maybe others are different
Mike C.
·
·
Ya! WAY back up. I'm between 30 and 70% depending on client industry. I always put a message with my Connect request because it filters out all the folks that want nothing to do with me lol. Reply rate is my north star.
Paul B.
·
·
Mike C. to what do you attribute the turnaround? Something you're doing differently? Or algo changes?
Mike C.
·
·
Tightening up ICPs, reaching out to only folks who have more than 500 connections, tight messaging, always a message with a connect request