API-Driven LinkedIn Lead Gen with ConnectSafely.ai and n8n

What if you could bypass LinkedIn's cookie hassles entirely and unlock precise people search capabilities through pure API-driven workflows?

In today's hyper-competitive talent landscape, business leaders constantly grapple with sourcing high-quality leads and candidates from LinkedIn without the friction of browser extensions or fragile session cookies. Tools like PhantomBuster excel at LinkedIn Search Export, delivering profile data such as names, headlines, companies, locations, and connection degree—yet their dependency on browser cookies introduces reliability risks and maintenance overhead[3][10]. Enter a streamlined n8n workflow powered by ConnectSafely.ai's API, enabling browser-less search via simple HTTP requests for people search by keywords, location filtering, and job title search[1].

Why This API Workflow Transforms Your Lead Generation Strategy

Traditional data export methods tie you to desktop-bound tools, limiting scalability. This API-based approach flips the script:

• Pure HTTP Efficiency: Authenticate once with API credentials from ConnectSafely.ai using HTTP Header Auth in n8n's HTTP Request node. No cookies, no extensions—just targeted queries pulling profile extraction data like company (even when embedded in headlines via regex) and connection degree[1].
• Seamless Processing: A Code node handles JSON responses (remember: access via response to avoid "undefined" errors), wrapping outputs in [{json: {...}}] for clean flow[1].
• Instant Data Export: Pipe enriched results directly to Google Sheets or CSV, fueling your CRM or ATS without manual intervention[3].

Challenge	Traditional (PhantomBuster)[3][10]	API Workflow (n8n + ConnectSafely.ai)
Authentication	Browser cookies & Chrome extension	API credentials + HTTP Header Auth
Search Flexibility	URL pasting, watcher mode	Keywords, location filtering, job title search
Daily Limits	Variable, cookie-dependent	~1000 results (split by location/connection degree for scale)
Integration	Zapier/Pipedream add-ons[2][8]	Native n8n nodes + Google Sheets

Deeper Implications: From Tactical Export to Strategic Intelligence

This isn't mere profile data scraping—it's a gateway to workflow automation that redefines go-to-market efficiency. Imagine location filtering 2nd-degree connections at target companies, exporting to Google Sheets for sales sequencing, then triggering personalized outreach. n8n's open-source power integrates with 300+ apps, turning LinkedIn into your private talent intelligence engine[12].

Yet limits persist: LinkedIn caps at ~1000 daily results, so segment via connection degree or geography. Troubleshooting is straightforward—"No company field"? Extract via regex from headlines. "Empty Code node"? Verify JSON wrappers. Community nodes missing? Restart n8n[1].

For businesses seeking comprehensive automation beyond LinkedIn scraping, Make.com offers intuitive no-code development platforms that harness AI's full potential for scalable business processes. Similarly, Apollo.io provides an end-to-end AI sales platform with over 210 million contacts, perfect for teams looking to streamline their entire sales funnel beyond just LinkedIn data extraction.

Resources to Accelerate Your Implementation

• Workflow JSON: GitHub Gist
• Google Sheets Template: Ready-to-Use Sheet
• API Docs: ConnectSafely.ai LinkedIn Search API
• Advanced Automation Guide: AI Workflow Automation Guide
• n8n Implementation Resources: n8n Automation Guide for AI Agents and Business Success

Disclosure: Author affiliated with ConnectSafely.ai.

The real question for leaders: When browser-bound tools fail at scale, will you settle for fragility—or architect API workflows that future-proof your LinkedIn intelligence? This n8n-ConnectSafely.ai combo proves API simplicity scales where scraping stumbles, empowering precise people search and data export for outsized business impact[1][3]. For organizations ready to take their automation strategy to the next level, exploring agentic AI frameworks can provide the strategic foundation needed to build truly intelligent, self-managing business processes.

What is the n8n + ConnectSafely.ai API workflow and why use it?

It's a browser-less people-search flow that uses ConnectSafely.ai's LinkedIn Search API called from n8n's HTTP Request node. Instead of relying on browser cookies or extensions, you run pure HTTP requests to retrieve profile fields (name, headline, company, location, connection degree) and process them in n8n for export or downstream automation—more reliable and easier to scale than cookie-dependent scrapers.

How do I authenticate the API requests in n8n?

Use API credentials from ConnectSafely.ai and configure HTTP Header Auth in n8n's HTTP Request node. Provide the API key (or token) in the required header per the API docs so each request is authenticated server-to-server—no browser session or cookies required.

What profile data can the LinkedIn Search API return?

Typical outputs include full name, headline, company (or company embedded in headline), location, connection degree (1st/2nd), and other searchable fields. Exact fields and formats are defined in the ConnectSafely.ai API docs.

How do I handle missing company fields in results?

If the company isn't provided as a discrete field, extract it from the headline using a regex in an n8n Code node or Function item. For example, parse patterns like "— Company" or "at Company" from the headline and populate a company column before exporting.

Why am I getting "undefined" or an empty Code node output and how do I fix it?

Common causes: accessing the wrong variable or not wrapping the output correctly. In n8n, access the API payload (often named response) and return data as an array of objects like [{ json: {...} }]. Verify the HTTP Request node's response property name and ensure your Code node returns the expected structure. Restart n8n if community nodes appear missing. For comprehensive troubleshooting guidance, check out our n8n automation guide.

How do I export search results to Google Sheets or CSV?

Pipe the processed JSON output from your Code or Function node into n8n's Google Sheets node (Append/Update) or use the CSV node to generate files. Map normalized fields (name, company, headline, location, degree) to sheet columns so results feed your CRM, ATS, or outreach sequence automatically. For teams looking to enhance their data management beyond basic exports, Stacksync offers real-time two-way sync between your CRM and database.

What are the daily limits and how can I scale searches?

LinkedIn-style search exports typically cap around ~1000 results per day per query model. Scale by segmenting queries—split by location, connection degree, or job title—to stay within limits and parallelize across multiple queries or time windows. For advanced scaling strategies, explore our AI workflow automation guide.

How do I filter by location and job title with this API?

Use the API's query parameters for keywords, location, and job title in your HTTP requests. Construct targeted queries (e.g., "marketing manager" + location parameter) in n8n's HTTP Request node and process results downstream—this replaces manual URL pasting used by browser tools.

Can this replace PhantomBuster or other cookie-based scrapers?

Yes—functionally it provides the same people-search outputs without relying on cookies or extensions, improving reliability and reducing maintenance. However, both approaches may face similar daily-result ceilings, so plan segmentation and scaling accordingly. For teams seeking more comprehensive automation beyond LinkedIn scraping, Make.com offers intuitive no-code development platforms that harness AI's full potential.

What troubleshooting steps should I follow if results are incomplete or failing?

Check authentication headers and API key validity, inspect raw HTTP responses for errors, confirm your Code node accesses the correct response property, validate JSON wrappers (return [{ json: {...}}]), and restart n8n if nodes misbehave. If fields are missing, apply regex extraction or re-query with different parameters.

Are there recommended implementation resources or templates?

Yes—use the shared workflow JSON (GitHub Gist), the ready-to-use Google Sheets template, and the ConnectSafely.ai API documentation to implement quickly. The n8n Automation Guide and AI Workflow Automation Guide provide additional best practices for integrating agents and scaling processes.

What about compliance and LinkedIn's Terms of Service?

Always review ConnectSafely.ai's API terms and LinkedIn's policies before large-scale data extraction. Prefer API-driven, permissioned workflows and ensure your use complies with applicable terms, privacy laws, and your organization's data handling policies. For comprehensive compliance guidance, our security and compliance guide provides essential frameworks for responsible data handling.

How can I go beyond LinkedIn scraping for end-to-end sales automation?

For broader enrichment and scaling, combine API-based LinkedIn search with dedicated platforms like Apollo.io (large contact databases) or no-code automation platforms like Make.com, and layer agentic AI frameworks to build self-managing outreach and lead qualification pipelines.