I’ve been trying to create a meaningful application that integrates with LinkedIn’s developer services, but I keep running into roadblocks during the approval process. Their review team seems pretty strict about which projects get approved.
I’m wondering if anyone here has actually gotten through their application review and built something substantial. Not talking about simple profile widgets or basic social sharing buttons, but actual feature-rich applications that add real value.
What approach worked for you when applying for API access? Did you need to provide detailed business plans or have an existing user base? Any tips on what they’re looking for in successful applications would be really helpful.
I’m particularly interested in hearing about apps that go beyond basic functionality and actually leverage their professional networking data in creative ways.
Been through their review process three times across different projects. The breakthrough? I stopped thinking like a developer and started thinking like LinkedIn’s business team. They want partners, not just API consumers. My successful application was for a professional development tracking platform. What got me approved wasn’t the technical architecture - it was showing how my app would drive more engagement on LinkedIn itself. I showed mockups of users naturally sharing achievements and course completions back to their feeds. The review team asked surprisingly detailed questions about user acquisition strategy and long-term platform integration. They cared more about whether I understood their ecosystem than my coding abilities. Documentation quality matters too - I rewrote my technical specs twice to match their exact formatting requirements. One thing nobody mentions: they actually monitor your app post-approval. My API usage gets reviewed quarterly, and they’ve reached out twice to discuss feature updates. It’s more partnership than just access approval.
their approval process sucks but it’s doable if you can prove real value. mine got rejected twice before they approved my recruiting tool - what worked was showing clear user consent flows and having actual beta testers ready. they’re obsessed with data protection now, so get your privacy policy rock solid before you even apply.
Getting LinkedIn API approval takes patience and a rock-solid use case. I got through their review last year for an HR analytics tool - the trick was showing real business value, not just another social media integration. They shot down my first attempt because I was too vague about data usage and user benefits. What worked: I submitted detailed technical specs showing exactly which endpoints I needed and why, plus screenshots of my working prototype. LinkedIn wants proof you’re not just hoarding data. My approved application had specific examples of how professionals would benefit, detailed privacy controls, and proof I actually read their terms of service. Review took six weeks, but having a working demo and solid documentation sealed the deal. They’re way more interested in apps that enhance professional networking instead of exploiting it.
Got my talent pipeline app approved first try about 18 months back. Treated it like a real product launch from the start - that’s what made the difference.
I had paying customers ready before I even hit submit. LinkedIn cares way more about legit business models than flashy tech demos. My app tracks industry movement patterns for recruiters, and I showed up with signed contracts worth $50k.
The application was a beast - 47 pages covering server architecture to user onboarding. Here’s the kicker: they actually called three beta customers to verify my use case was real.
Don’t apply until you’ve got real users begging for LinkedIn integration. I spent four months building relationships with HR teams who became early adopters. When LinkedIn’s reviewers saw actual demand letters from Fortune 500 companies, I got approved in three weeks.
Skip the fancy AI buzzwords too. They picked my boring recruitment analytics over flashier social networking experiments every single time.