LinkedIn Sourcing in the Post X-Ray Era

LinkedIn has recently updated the public version of its user profiles to hide more information from Google, and therefore, us as well. This change represents one of the biggest shakeups to LinkedIn sourcing tactics we have seen in years.

In Part 1, we provide a brief refresher on X-Ray search, and explain what's changed about searching LinkedIn from Google, and how this may impact existing tools and processes. We also explore what can and can't be searched for now. 

In Part 2, we discuss updated best-practices for LinkedIn sourcing. While there are some things we can no longer search for at all, the techniques demonstrated will help bridge those gaps. Leveraging Boolean search and external data, in conjunction with a few handy tools, will lead you to the right people.

Part 1 Outline

• X-Ray "X"plained
• The site: operator
• Common and Specific Elements
• What Has Changed on LinkedIn
• Profiles - Logged In vs Logged Out
• The Story So Far
• What We Lost
• What Still Works
• A General Workaround
• Looser Search
• Scrape & Bulk Cross-Reference
• Filter and Revisit

Part 2 Outline

• LinkedIn Search Challenges
• "Hidden" Profiles
• Broken Filters
• LinkedIn Search Solutions
• Indirect Search
• Cross-Referencing
• Finding External Data
• Companies
• Titles
• Credentials
• Schools
• Organizations
• Leveraging Boolean
• Hidden Search Operators
• Lists and Emails
• Finding Lists
• Cross-Referencing by Name
• Finding Emails
• Cross-Referencing with Emails
• Engagement Advantages