Growing your network on LinkedIn without getting restricted is a balancing act. i've spent a lot of time figuring out what actually works long-term, and there's no one-size-fits-all number-it depends heavily on account age and activity patterns.
For a brand new account, start ridiculously small. No more than 5 requests per day for the first week. Ramp it up very slowly-maybe add 2-3 per week. Going too hard early on triggers the spam filters instantly.
If your account is aged (6+ months with decent profile completeness and regular activity), you can start at around 7 requests per day and gradually increase to 25 over a couple of weeks. stick to 5 days a week-give your account a break on weekends. Many people swear by 25 as the sweet spot before LinkedIn starts flagging.
As for posting frequency, it does have an effect. Consistent, value-driven posts (2-3 times a week) build credibility and can actually protect your account because you look like a real user, not a bot. Posting too much, especially low-effort content, might increase scrutiny. keep it genuine.
On LION networks-I'd avoid them if you're trying to build a targeted, high-quality network. They're broad and dilute your relevance signals. Better to connect with people in your industry or complementary fields. Quality over quantity, every time.
Patience is the key. Think months, not days. slow and steady wins the connection game without restrictions.
