Open Profile is a Premium member's setting that lets anyone on LinkedIn message them for free, without using an InMail message — even if the sender is not connected to them. LinkedIn's Open Profile and messages (opens in a new tab) page calls it a Premium feature and states that all members can see the full profiles of Premium members who have enabled it.
The important framing is that Open Profile is the recipient's choice. You cannot switch it on for someone else; you can only recognise it and use it when it is there.
What Open Profile actually is
Two conditions define it:
- Only a Premium subscriber can enable it. LinkedIn states you must have a Premium subscription to be an Open Profile.
- It removes the credit cost for the sender. The feature lets anyone contact the Premium member for free, without an InMail message.
So a member with Open Profile enabled is not just "easier to reach" in a vague sense — the specific change is that a non-connection can message them without spending an InMail credit, and their full profile is visible to all members.
Why an open profile accepts a free message
InMail is the normal paid route to a non-connection, and it draws on a monthly credit allowance explained in how LinkedIn InMail credits work. Open Profile bypasses that allowance: the recipient has opted in to free contact, so the sender does not need a credit.
That is also why the setting is bounded. LinkedIn's Open Profile message (opens in a new tab) page says that, to keep LinkedIn safe and professional, LinkedIn limits the number of Open Profile messages you can send in a given time period. And the settings (opens in a new tab) page states that members with basic or free accounts can only send a limited number of Open Profile messages each month. Free contact, in other words, is still rationed.
How to spot an open profile
You check what the profile offers you in its introduction section:
- On desktop, open the member's profile and look for the Message button in the introduction section.
- On mobile, the same action appears as the InMail button in the introduction section, per LinkedIn's send-a-message steps.
A button label alone does not tell you whether the contact is free, because the free Open Profile flow itself can show an InMail button on mobile. Before sending, check the cost the composer offers you, and stop if it is unclear.
Sending an Open Profile message
LinkedIn's steps:
- Open the profile of the Premium member you want to message.
- Click Message in their introduction section (on mobile, tap InMail).
- Type your message.
- Send it.
The page adds one practical snag: if you have a Premium subscription but your card on file has expired, you must update your payment information before you can send an Open Profile message.
What Open Profile does not change
- It is not unlimited contact. The number of Open Profile messages is limited over time, and basic accounts get a limited monthly allowance.
- It is the recipient's setting, not yours. Unless you are a Premium subscriber who turns it on, you cannot grant anyone free access to you.
- It is separate from the Premium badge. LinkedIn notes that you can still show your Premium membership without accepting Open Profile messages, because the two settings are controlled separately.
- It is not "Open to Work". Despite the similar name, #OpenToWork (opens in a new tab) is a job-seeking signal that tells recruiters and your network you are open to new opportunities. Open Profile is a messaging permission. They solve different problems, and this guide covers only the messaging one.
One limitation to carry forward: because Open Profile depends on the recipient enabling a Premium feature, you cannot build a campaign that assumes it. Treat it as a per-profile opportunity you notice when it appears, not as a channel you can plan volume around. For a general look at one vendor's LinkedIn outreach tooling, you can review Clapa's overview; LinkedIn's help pages define the feature.
FAQ
What does "open profile" mean on LinkedIn Premium? It is a Premium feature that lets anyone on LinkedIn contact that member for free, even if they are not connected, and shows their full profile to all members.
Can I find open profiles with a filter? Check the messaging option on each profile and confirm the offered cost before you send; LinkedIn's help pages describe Open Profile through the profile's introduction section, not as a filter.
Do open profile messages use InMail credits? No. The feature lets a member be contacted for free without using an InMail message, though the number of Open Profile messages is limited over time.
Is Open Profile the same as Open to Work? No. Open Profile controls who can message you for free; #OpenToWork is a separate setting that tells recruiters and your network you are open to new job opportunities.
Sources
- LinkedIn Help, Open Profile and messages (opens in a new tab)
- LinkedIn Help, Send an Open Profile message on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)
- LinkedIn Help, Manage your Open Profile settings as a Premium subscriber (opens in a new tab)
- LinkedIn Help, Let recruiters know you're Open to Work (opens in a new tab)
