Learn the complete process of LinkedIn API integration with your website to unlock valuable networking data, profile information, and seamless login options.

LinkedIn has an indispensable role in enhancing business growth for both B2B and B2C companies for two main reasons:

  • Over one billion active users across 200 countries globally
  • More than 67 million listed companies

As a business owner, you can leverage LinkedIn data to optimize your reach and marketing strategy. The best way to connect your website to LinkedIn is through API Key integrations.

This article provides an overview of LinkedIn API, including its key features and use cases.

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What is LinkedIn API and How Does It Work?

LinkedIn API (Application Programming Interface) is basically a bridge between LinkedIn and other platforms, like websites and third-party software.

The API lets developers tap into LinkedIn data to add or enhance features on external software and systems. Examples of LinkedIn data you can access using the API include:

  • User profiles
  • Job postings
  • Company details
  • Public posts
  • Connections

How LinkedIn API Works

LinkedIn shut down its open APIs in 2015, requiring developers to join its partner programs to access its data on third-party platforms.

You must pass the OAuth 2.0 authentication to unlock access tokens, allowing you to request data from various API endpoints.

Following authentication, LinkedIn generates unique API Keys that you can use to send HTTP requests and receive data based on the permissions granted.

You can then display the data as a feed on your platform or analyze it to identify recurrent themes or trends.

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Key Features of LinkedIn API

Below are the core elements of LinkedIn API:

  • Secure Authentication: OpenID Connect offers secure authentication and simplifies how users log in to their LinkedIn profiles on your platform.
  • User Data Access: This feature supports data retrieval about a user or company using their Public IDs.
  • Search Functionality: You can search LinkedIn using customizable parameters and filters.
  • Company Profile Management: You can publish posts, manage conversations, and initiate or accept connections on behalf of a company.
  • Recruitment Tools: This feature lets you fetch data from LinkedIn job listings using Job ID. Additionally, you can post new jobs and manage the vetting process through the Recruitment System Connect function.
  • Automated Lead Generation: You can manage campaigns programmatically, including creating and deleting ads based on audience feedback.
  • Actionable Insights: This feature lets you analyze and organize LinkedIn data based on demographics. Use LinkedIn reports to streamline strategies to achieve organizational goals.
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LinkedIn Documentation for API Integration

LinkedIn provides detailed documentation for developers looking to integrate its data on their platforms. The documentation is available on the LinkedIn Developer Portal and Microsoft Learn Challenge dashboard.

Here are the main contents of the LinkedIn API documentation:

Getting Started

The section outlines steps for user authorization to access API endpoints.

You can opt for either member authorization (3-legged) or application authorization (2-legged), depending on the data you want to access.

Business Solutions

LinkedIn APIs are grouped into various business solutions: consumer, learning, marketing, sales, and talent.

Each category provides function-specific tools.

For example, talent solutions let you access job postings and integrate LinkedIn into your recruitment platform.

Permissions

The documentation specifies the permissions required for different functionalities.

LinkedIn lets you add some permissions directly without users’ approval.

However, API integrations that let you access profile data or post content on behalf of profile owners require consent and authorization.

Integration Guidelines

The documentation provides best practices for developing robust applications that safeguard data privacy.

It also outlines common integration issues when connecting LinkedIn APIs to external software and ways to troubleshoot them.

This helps mitigate defective LinkedIn feeds, which could undermine your visitors’ user experience.

Compliance

The documentation highlights essential policies and guidelines to follow when using LinkedIn APIs.

The guidelines cover fair usage when using LinkedIn API to monitor users’ profiles or communicate on behalf of an organization.

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How to Use LinkedIn API with Your Website

Below is a step-by-step guide for using LinkedIn API with your website:

  1. Sign up for the LinkedIn Developer Portal.
  2. Create/register a new application and provide the required details (app name, logo, purpose, and usage). You will receive an API Key and Secret Key after completing registration.
  3. Use 2-legged or 3-legged OAuth to receive user authorization to access their data.
  4. Following authentication, you will receive an access token that you can use to send API requests for specific user data.
  5. Write HTML and JavaScript code to display a feed of the retrieved data on your website.
  6. Paste the code on your website and use CSS to style the embed’s appearance.
  7. Save the changes.
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Steps to Embed LinkedIn Feed on WordPress Using API

Follow these steps to add a LinkedIn feed to your WordPress website using API:

  1. Copy the HTML code you wrote in Step 5 of the above guide.
  2. Log in to your WordPress Admin Panel.
  3. Create a new page or open the one you want to edit.
  4. Click the + icon to open a new block and select Custom HTML.
  5. Paste the HTML code.
  6. Modify your CSS file to style the feed’s appearance to your preference.
  7. Save the changes and reload the page.

Unless you are integrating specific LinkedIn business solutions that require API keys, we recommend using our SociableKIT widget to embed a LinkedIn feed on WordPress.

Our LinkedIn feed embed code generator provides a script you can paste on your WordPress website where you want the feed to appear.

Create a SociableKIT widget today and showcase your LinkedIn page feed on your website!

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LinkedIn Business Solutions with API

LinkedIn APIs are classified into five function-specific business solutions. 

Below is an overview of each solution:

  • Consumer Solutions: They help simplify and customize users’ sign-in experience. Also, you can leverage Consumer Solutions to add LinkedIn action buttons to your system.
  • Sales Solutions: Use the LinkedIn Sales Solution to generate potential leads and nurture customer relationships to boost sales.
  • Marketing Solutions: They help build software to streamline LinkedIn marketing strategies for maximum return on investment.
  • Talent Solutions: They allow developers to structure candidate sourcing and recruitment processes.
  • Learning Solutions: They help integrate LinkedIn’s Learning platform (Lynda.com) into a website or third-party learning software.
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LinkedIn API Use Cases for Businesses

Let’s explore various LinkedIn API use cases and how they can help streamline your business functions:

Consumer Solutions

As a developer, you can leverage the OpenID Connect feature to simplify the authentication process for requests to access basic information about a profile owner, such as their name and profile picture.

Additionally, you can use Consumer Solutions to add LinkedIn share and follow buttons on your website or embed LinkedIn badges to enhance user engagement.

Sales Solutions

Saas companies can use the Sales Navigator Application Platform to design systems that help their clients target consumers more accurately or deliver customized suggestions.

Also, you can integrate LinkedIn into your information management system to simplify customer relationship management.

Marketing Solutions

You can integrate LinkedIn APIs into your system to enhance its audience segmentation feature for target marketing.

LinkedIn APIs also let you use Ad analytics to track performance and effectiveness.

Talent Solutions

An everyday use case for Talent Solutions is the Apply with LinkedIn (AWLI) feature. It allows candidates with LinkedIn accounts to use information from their profiles to populate answers to questions like name, location, and educational background.

Additionally, employers can use the Recruitment System Connect to analyze candidates’ credentials and suitability for an advertised role.

Learning Solutions

Authorized users can integrate LinkedIn courses into their platforms, including lessons and content libraries.

The APIs also provide access to LinkedIn’s analytics, allowing organizations to monitor their employees’ performance and skill gaps to guide future course recommendations.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are commonly asked questions about website LinkedIn API integrations.

What is LinkedIn API Pricing?

LinkedIn does not charge to use its APIs to link the platform to your website or third-party tools. However, the free plan has limited access to advanced features, so you must become a premium partner.

LinkedIn does not explicitly state the cost of joining the premium partner program, so interested users must contact the sales team for custom plans.

What Permissions Are Required to Use the LinkedIn API?

The requisite permissions vary depending on the type of data you want to access or the functionalities you want to implement. 

 However, the permissions fall into two broad categories:

  • Application Authentication: Includes permissions to access non-member resources, such as company information and job postings.
  • Member Authorization: Allows systems to make API requests on behalf of a selected member. It requires profile owners to consent to third-party systems accessing their personal information.

What is the Difference Between LinkedIn REST API and Graph API?

The REST API allows systems to request structured resources from LinkedIn. It is best suited for accessing ‘straightforward’ data like user profiles, job listings, and company information.

In contrast, Graph API supports more flexible querying of related data. This helps authorized systems to send requests and establish connections in the data within a single query.

Conclusion

Integrating LinkedIn into your website lets you leverage its features and functionalities to foster your business growth.

However, you must be a proficient web developer to connect LinkedIn features to your website using API Keys.

But if you’re not, SociableKIT streamlines the integration process, allowing you to display LinkedIn content on your website without writing code!

Even better, using our SociableKIT widget means you don’t have to incur additional charges subscribing to LinkedIn’s API program. Visit our pricing page and purchase a plan that works for you!

Then, create a SociableKIT widget and tap into LinkedIn’s features to enhance your brand’s online reputation.

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