> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.linkinlist.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Import Leads into LinkInList via CSV or URL

> Learn how to import leads into LinkInList using a CSV file upload or a LinkedIn Sales Navigator search URL, with AI scoring on every lead.

Before you can start automating outreach, you need leads. LinkInList gives you two ways to bring contacts in: upload a prepared CSV file or paste a LinkedIn Sales Navigator search URL and let LinkInList pull the matching profiles for you. Either way, once import finishes the AI immediately begins scoring every lead for buying intent so you know who to prioritize from day one. After importing, you can reach your leads across any of LinkInList's channels — LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Email, Facebook, Instagram, or Meta Ads — using campaigns tailored to each channel.

## Two ways to import leads

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="CSV Upload" icon="file-csv">
    Build a spreadsheet of prospects from any source — your CRM, a list vendor, or manual research — and upload it directly. Best when you already have a curated list or need to bring in contacts from outside LinkedIn.
  </Card>

  <Card title="LinkedIn / Sales Navigator URL" icon="linkedin">
    Run a search in LinkedIn Sales Navigator, copy the results URL, and paste it into LinkInList. The platform fetches every matching profile automatically. Best for prospecting directly from LinkedIn filters.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Import via CSV upload

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Contacts › Import">
    Open [app.linkinlist.com](https://app.linkinlist.com), navigate to the **Contacts** tab in the left sidebar, and click **Import** in the top-right corner of the page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the CSV template">
    Click **Download Template** to get a pre-formatted CSV file with the correct column headers. Using the template avoids mapping errors and speeds up the import process.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill in your lead data">
    Open the template and populate your leads. The three columns below are **required** — every row must have a value for each:

    | Column       | Required | Notes                                                   |
    | ------------ | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
    | First Name   | ✅ Yes    | Lead's first name                                       |
    | Last Name    | ✅ Yes    | Lead's last name                                        |
    | LinkedIn URL | ✅ Yes    | Full profile URL, e.g. `https://linkedin.com/in/handle` |
    | Company      | No       | Current employer                                        |
    | Title        | No       | Job title                                               |
    | Email        | No       | Used for email sequences if enabled                     |

    Here is an example of a correctly formatted CSV:

    ```csv theme={null}
    First Name,Last Name,LinkedIn URL,Company,Title,Email
    Sarah,Chen,https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchen,Acme Corp,VP of Sales,sarah@acme.com
    Marcus,Rivera,https://linkedin.com/in/marcusrivera,Beta Inc,Head of Growth,
    Priya,Patel,https://linkedin.com/in/priyapatel,Gamma Ltd,Director of Marketing,priya@gamma.io
    ```

    <Note>
      Rows that are missing **First Name**, **Last Name**, or **LinkedIn URL** are skipped during import. You will see a summary of any skipped rows after the upload completes.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload your file">
    Back in LinkInList, click **Choose File**, select your completed CSV, and click **Next**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Map columns if headers differ">
    If your CSV uses different column headers (for example `fname` instead of `First Name`), LinkInList shows a column-mapping screen. Use the dropdowns to match each of your columns to the correct LinkInList field, then click **Confirm Mapping**.

    <Info>
      If you used the downloaded template without renaming headers, this step is skipped automatically.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Import — AI scoring begins">
    Review the import summary (total rows, any validation warnings) and click **Import**. LinkInList creates a contact record for each valid row and immediately queues every lead for AI intent scoring. Initial scores typically appear within a few minutes.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Import via LinkedIn Sales Navigator URL

<Tip>
  Before copying your URL, apply Sales Navigator filters — industry, seniority level, company headcount, geography — to narrow results to your ideal customer profile. The tighter your filter set, the higher the average intent score of your imported batch.
</Tip>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Copy your Sales Navigator search URL">
    Run your search in LinkedIn Sales Navigator. Once the results load, copy the full URL from your browser's address bar. It will look similar to:

    ```
    https://www.linkedin.com/sales/search/people?query=...
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to Contacts › Import › From URL">
    In LinkInList, open **Contacts**, click **Import**, then select the **From URL** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste the URL and click Import">
    Paste your Sales Navigator URL into the input field and click **Import**. LinkInList begins fetching the profiles that match your search.

    <Warning>
      Your LinkedIn account must be connected to LinkInList before using URL import. Go to **Settings › Integrations › LinkedIn** to connect your account if you have not done so already.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="LinkInList fetches and scores the profiles">
    LinkInList retrieves each matching profile, creates a contact record, and kicks off AI intent scoring. Large result sets (500+ profiles) may take a few minutes to fully process. You will see a progress indicator in the Contacts tab and receive an in-app notification when the import is complete.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## What happens after import

Once the import finishes, every new lead appears in the **Contacts** tab with an initial intent score between 0 and 100. You can sort and filter by that score immediately to identify your hottest prospects before you have even sent a single message.

<Info>
  Scores shown right after import are based on static profile signals — completeness, job title, company attributes, and recent LinkedIn activity. Scores update in real time as new behavioral signals arrive (profile views, replies, website visits). See [Lead Scoring](/contacts/lead-scoring) for a full breakdown.
</Info>

***

## Duplicate detection

LinkInList uses the **LinkedIn URL** as the unique identifier for every contact. If you import a lead whose LinkedIn URL already exists in your account — whether from a previous CSV, a URL import, or manual creation — the platform automatically deduplicates the record rather than creating a duplicate. The existing contact's data is preserved, and any new fields you provided in the import (such as an email address that was missing before) are merged in.

<Note>
  Duplicates are reported in the post-import summary so you always know exactly how many net-new contacts were added.
</Note>