LinkedIn Data Export ToolDo you want to analyze your past interactions on LinkedIn? Do you want information that could help you understand your LinkedIn behavior? The LinkedIn Data Export tool offers deeper insight into your LinkedIn activity. In this week, we will share the importance tools you can use to target ads, build keyword lists, create a list of connections and more.

If you haven't discovered the free LinkedIn Data Export tool or if you've found it but haven't used it, you're missing out. While downloading data may seem dry, boring and not of any particular significance, it's actually a treasure trove of information you can use in all kinds of ways!

To find the Data Export tool and request an archive, follow these instructions:

  1. Go to your Privacy and Settings section. It's on the far right under the Account and Settings link (the tiny picture of you).
  2. In your settings, click the Account tab on the bottom left side.
  3. Click the link for Request an Archive of Your Data.
  4. Click the Request Archive button.

According to LinkedIn, it takes 72 hours to get the link to your zipped archive, but the few times I've used the Data Export tool, I've received it within 24 hours. When your archive is ready, LinkedIn will send you an email with a link you can use to start the download. Or you can periodically check the Request an Archive link; when your archive is ready, it turns into a Download Archive button.

Ads Targeting

One of the most useful archive files is Ads Targeting. It shows you how LinkedIn classifies you when targeting you for other members' paid LinkedIn ads. Why is this important? It's good to know how LinkedIn views you based on your profile. You'll have a good idea of how accurate (or inaccurate) LinkedIn is in its targeting. By looking at your Ad Click Data file you can see your own ad click history and how those clicks reflect your interests. Now you can access a list of your connections and their basic information: first name, last name, email address, their current employer and their current position. A quick note about this data: It's important to follow social media best practices. Peruse your past comments on other people's links to see if there's anything you should follow up on. If you notice a particularly popular topic or one that matches your keywords, revisit the conversation and add to it.

LinkedIn's new Data Export tool allows you to download your LinkedIn data, including everything from how you interact with ads to who has endorsed you to past successful search queries.