LinkedIn‘s SSI (Social Selling Index) score measures how effectively you use the platform across four areas: building your professional brand, finding prospects, engaging with content, and nurturing relationships. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores linked to better visibility, more sales opportunities, and stronger connections.
Key Points:
- Average score: ~25; strong score: 70+; top 5%: 80+.
- Pillars of SSI:
- Professional Brand: Complete your profile, use a professional photo, and publish content.
- Find Prospects: Use LinkedIn tools to identify and connect with leads.
- Engage with Content: Actively interact with posts and share insights.
- Build Relationships: Focus on quality connections, especially with decision-makers.
Check your SSI score for free at LinkedIn SSI Dashboard. Focus on improving one pillar at a time to see steady progress.
What is the LinkedIn Social Selling Index (SSI Score)?
What Is LinkedIn SSI Score and Why It Matters
The LinkedIn Social Selling Index (SSI) is a unique metric that evaluates your professional networking efforts on a scale of 0 to 100. It’s based on four key activity areas, or "pillars", with each contributing up to 25 points to your overall score.
A higher SSI score doesn’t just look good – it can significantly improve your visibility on LinkedIn. This means more profile views, connection requests, and meaningful conversations. For instance, when Microsoft’s sales team increased their median SSI score from 48 to 56 after adopting Sales Navigator training, they saw a 37% jump in sales opportunities [1]. Similarly, PTC leveraged LinkedIn insights to connect with over 2,000 new prospects, closing $4.5 million in deals [5].
The 4 Pillars of SSI
Each pillar focuses on a specific area of your LinkedIn activity and presence:
- Establish Your Professional Brand
This pillar evaluates how well you showcase your expertise and build credibility. It includes your profile completeness, such as having a professional photo, a compelling headline, and a detailed work summary. Publishing quality content also plays a role. For example, a professional headshot alone can boost engagement by up to 7x [2]. - Find the Right People
This measures how effectively you use LinkedIn’s tools to identify and research potential leads. Advanced search features in Sales Navigator, for example, can help you locate the right prospects with precision. - Engage with Insights
This pillar tracks how actively and thoughtfully you interact with content – whether by sharing, commenting, or responding to InMails. Meaningful engagement, like leaving insightful comments, carries more weight than simply liking posts. - Build Relationships
This focuses on the strength and quality of your connections, particularly with senior decision-makers. Having even a few strong ties can make a big difference – data shows it can improve your chances of closing deals by 16% [5].
Here’s a quick breakdown of what each pillar measures:
| Pillar | Key Metrics Measured |
|---|---|
| Establish Professional Brand | Profile completeness, multimedia, endorsements, long-form posts, and follower growth |
| Find the Right People | Advanced search use, lead saving, profile views (inbound/outbound), and active days on LinkedIn |
| Engage with Insights | Shares, likes, comments, InMail response rates, group activity, and research views |
| Build Relationships | Total connections, VP+ level connections, and connection request acceptance rates |
Understanding these pillars helps explain why improving your SSI score can directly impact sales success.
Why SSI Matters for Sales and Marketing Professionals
For sales and marketing professionals, a high SSI score isn’t just a vanity metric – it’s a performance booster. LinkedIn data shows that professionals with higher SSI scores generate 45% more opportunities and are 51% more likely to meet their sales quotas. Social sellers with strong scores even outperform their peers by 78% [1]. Beyond sales, a high SSI score enhances your credibility, especially when connecting with senior decision-makers.
The SSI score is also a helpful diagnostic tool. If one pillar is lagging, it signals where you might need to focus. For instance, a low score in "Engage with Insights" could mean you need to spend more time sharing industry content or joining discussions.
On average, LinkedIn users have an SSI score of about 45. A score above 70 is considered strong, while scores over 80 are rare, achieved by only about 5% of sales professionals [4][7].
"Your LinkedIn Social Selling Index is more than just a number – it’s a roadmap for improving your professional presence." – LinkedFusion [1]
Personalized outreach also plays a critical role. Customized InMails can increase connection acceptance rates by 40% [5], and every 10-point increase in your SSI score is linked to roughly 4.3 additional sales opportunities [3].
How to Check Your LinkedIn SSI Score
LinkedIn SSI Score Ranges and Performance Levels Guide
Checking your LinkedIn SSI score is quick and easy. Just head over to your personal SSI dashboard at www.linkedin.com/sales/ssi while logged into your account[4]. The best part? You don’t need a Sales Navigator subscription – it’s completely free for all LinkedIn users.
On the dashboard, you’ll see your total score, which ranges from 0 to 100, along with a detailed breakdown of the four pillars that make up your score (each worth up to 25 points). You’ll also find two key metrics: Industry Rank, which compares your score to other professionals in your field, and Network Rank, which shows how you stack up against your LinkedIn connections.
For Sales Navigator subscribers, there’s an SSI widget right on your homepage for quick access to your score and updates. If you manage a team, you can track their performance in the Admin > Usage Reporting section by selecting a specific date range (e.g., the last 7 or 30 days)[6].
Since the score updates daily, you might notice small fluctuations. Instead of obsessing over daily changes, focus on long-term trends. It’s a good idea to check your score weekly or every other week to see how activities like posting content or engaging with key connections influence your performance. Aiming for a score above 70 is considered "strong", while scores above 80 put you in the "excellent" category[4].
| SSI Score Range | Performance Level | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 0–25 | Beginner | Minimal engagement; lots of room for growth |
| 26–50 | Average | Basic platform use; typical score is around 45 |
| 51–70 | Above Average | Solid understanding of LinkedIn’s tools and features |
| 71–80 | Strong | Effectively leveraging LinkedIn for social selling |
| 81–100 | Excellent/Outstanding | Highly engaged, top-performing "power user" |
Now that you know how to check your score, the next section will guide you on improving it.
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How to Improve Your LinkedIn SSI Score
If you want to boost your LinkedIn SSI score, it’s all about taking deliberate actions to strengthen your presence on the platform. Since the score updates daily, you can track the results of your efforts almost immediately. To make a real impact, focus on the four key pillars: building your professional brand, finding the right connections, engaging with insights, and nurturing relationships. Let’s break down how to refine your strategy for each.
Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
Your LinkedIn profile is the cornerstone of your professional brand, making up 25% of your total SSI score [6]. The first step? Complete every section of your profile. Add rich media – like videos, presentations, or portfolio links – to make it stand out [6].
Instead of just listing your job title in the headline, highlight the value you bring. For example, swap "Sales Manager" for something like, "Helping B2B SaaS Companies Scale Revenue Through Strategic Partnerships" [4]. Use the "About" section (up to 2,000 characters) to share your professional story, showcase your expertise, and weave in relevant keywords [8].
Invest in a professional headshot and clean up your LinkedIn URL to something like "linkedin.com/in/yourname" [4]. Publishing content is another game-changer. Stick to 3–5 core topics you’re knowledgeable about and post regularly to establish your voice. Long-form articles and posts not only showcase your expertise but also attract followers, boosting your visibility [6]. Don’t forget to give and request endorsements and recommendations – they serve as social proof of your skills [6].
"LinkedIn rewards meaningful engagement, strategic networking, and consistent professional branding." – Utsav Patel, Supergrow.ai [4]
Once your profile is polished, it’s time to expand your network strategically.
Build a Targeted Network
When it comes to networking, quality beats quantity. Focus on connecting with industry leaders and decision-makers. Research shows that sellers with at least four LinkedIn connections at a target account are 16% more likely to close deals [5].
Use LinkedIn’s advanced search filters to find prospects by criteria like industry, title, location, and seniority. Prioritize active users who regularly post or engage with content. Joining LinkedIn Groups and attending LinkedIn Events related to your field can also help you discover prospects with shared interests.
When sending connection requests, personalize your message. Mention mutual connections or shared interests to make it more compelling. Personalized InMails can increase your connection acceptance rate by 40% [5]. Keep your network tidy by withdrawing unanswered connection requests to protect your SSI score.
In 2025, Hyatt’s sales team used LinkedIn Sales Navigator to target key contacts. Over three months, they saved 6,200 leads and secured 2,600 new connections, significantly improving their SSI scores [5].
To streamline this process, consider tools like Closely. It can automate personalized message sequences and help you scale your outreach effectively.
Engage with Relevant Content
LinkedIn tracks your engagement metrics, including likes, comments, shares, and response rates to messages and InMails [6]. However, what matters most is meaningful interaction with industry leaders and prospects, rather than generic, high-volume activity [4].
A great content strategy to follow is the 5‑3‑2 Rule: out of every 10 posts, make 5 educational (like how-to guides or industry updates), 3 authority-building (case studies or client success stories), and 2 promotional [9].
Before reaching out to a prospect, engage with their content. A simple like or comment can create familiarity and pave the way for a connection request [10]. When you post your own content, respond to meaningful comments within 24 hours. This signals to LinkedIn’s algorithm that you’re an active and engaged user [10]. Joining LinkedIn Groups in your industry can also help you connect on a deeper level [6].
"On LinkedIn, helpfulness = visibility." – Stellar HR [9]
To make engagement easier, tools like Closely can automate parts of your strategy, ensuring you consistently interact with the right people and posts.
Nurture Professional Relationships
Building connections is one thing – maintaining and strengthening them is another. This pillar focuses on how effectively you nurture your network through personalized messages and regular follow-ups.
Ditch generic messages like "just checking in." Instead, send thoughtful notes that reference recent activities, share relevant articles, or celebrate achievements. Dedicate time each week to interact with your connections’ posts, send meaningful messages, and follow up on past conversations. The goal is to create authentic, lasting relationships – not just collect contacts.
Tools like Closely’s unified inbox and lead scoring features can help you prioritize interactions and keep track of your conversations in one place.
In 2025, PTC leveraged LinkedIn Sales Navigator’s AI insights to manage its customer ecosystem, reaching over 2,000 new prospects and generating more than $4.5 million in closed deals [5].
"A high SSI score doesn’t always represent the efficacy of a salesperson… Sellers must adopt a more human-centered approach to outreach and connection." – LinkedIn Sales Solutions [5]
Using Closely to Boost Your SSI Score
Closely provides tools that can help you improve your LinkedIn SSI score by addressing all four pillars of the metric. The platform combines automation and analytics while keeping your outreach personalized and within LinkedIn’s compliance guidelines.
One of Closely’s standout features is its targeted import, which lets you pull filtered lists directly from LinkedIn or Sales Navigator URLs. You can refine your search by industry, job title, location, and even custom tags, ensuring you’re connecting with the right decision-makers. This feature supports the "Find the Right People" pillar, while increasing profile views and connection counts strengthens your "Professional Brand" [8].
Additionally, Closely automates outreach to LinkedIn Groups and Event attendees, boosting your "Engage with Insights" score. It also enables personalized message sequences, including connection requests, welcome messages, and follow-ups. The platform’s AI-powered Message Assist takes personalization a step further by referencing specific prospect activities, like their recent posts or articles, adding a thoughtful touch to your communication.
"High SSI lets you send out more connection requests. Low SSI, on the other hand, cuts you off from a lot of opportunities and brings you closer to LinkedIn Jail." – Closely [8]
Closely prioritizes safety by mimicking human-like behavior, helping you maintain a high SSI score without risking account restrictions. Its automated features integrate seamlessly with LinkedIn’s SSI pillars, enhancing your overall LinkedIn strategy.
Automate LinkedIn Outreach with Closely
Closely not only automates outreach but also provides tools to measure its effectiveness. By automating repetitive tasks, it saves you time while ensuring a personal touch in your communication. You can create personalized connection requests and follow-up sequences to keep your outreach focused and effective.
The platform’s AI-powered Lead Finder simplifies prospecting by identifying high-quality leads and crafting unique conversation starters based on buyer intent and product interests [5]. You can even import Sales Navigator search URLs directly into Closely, eliminating manual data entry and streamlining your process [8].
By adhering to LinkedIn’s safety protocols, Closely ensures that your SSI score remains intact while saving Sales Navigator users an estimated 65 hours annually through AI-driven insights [5]. The platform also allows you to manage multichannel campaigns from a single dashboard, making it easier to stay organized.
Closely’s unified inbox consolidates LinkedIn and email replies, making it simple to track conversations and respond promptly. This feature directly strengthens the "Build Relationships" pillar. Plus, with a 7-day free trial, you can explore all of Closely’s automation features without any risk [8].
Track Performance and Analyze Results
Monitoring your SSI score is essential for fine-tuning your LinkedIn strategy, and Closely’s advanced analytics and reports make this process straightforward. You can track key metrics like connection acceptance rates, InMail responses, and engagement levels [8]. These insights help you identify which SSI pillars need more attention.
The platform also offers pillar-specific analysis, breaking down your SSI score into its four components so you can pinpoint areas for improvement [4][1]. For example, if your "Engage with Insights" score is low, you might focus on interacting more with LinkedIn Groups or participating in Events.
Closely provides real-time feedback on your campaigns, allowing you to see how your efforts impact your SSI score as LinkedIn updates it daily [6][1]. This immediate feedback helps you adjust your messaging, targeting, or posting schedule as needed.
The lead scoring feature ensures you’re prioritizing high-value prospects, focusing your time on connections most likely to convert. You can also benchmark your performance against industry standards to see how you stack up [1]. With 24-hour support and a dedicated customer success manager, Closely offers expert guidance to help you interpret your data and refine your strategy effectively.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn SSI score isn’t just a vanity metric – it’s a practical tool that tracks how well you’re building your professional brand, finding the right prospects, sharing engaging content, and cultivating meaningful relationships. And the benefits are clear: high SSI scores are linked to a 51% increase in quota attainment and 45% more opportunities [1][2].
With the right approach, improving your SSI score doesn’t have to be daunting. Spending just 15 minutes a day on focused LinkedIn activities can lead to noticeable improvements within 30–60 days [2][10]. Simple steps – like completing your profile, connecting with decision-makers using advanced search, and engaging authentically – can make a significant difference.
"Social selling requires consistent, long-term effort. Focus on providing consistent value to your network, engaging authentically, and building genuine relationships." – LinkedFusion [1]
Automation tools like Closely can simplify this process. By automating repetitive tasks while keeping outreach personal and aligned with LinkedIn’s guidelines, Closely supports every aspect of your SSI strategy. From importing targeted prospect lists to tracking campaign performance, its features – like AI-powered message personalization and real-time analytics – help you stay active without losing valuable time that could be spent closing deals.
Whether you aim to land in the top 5% or attract more inbound opportunities, these strategies and tools provide a clear path forward. Start by focusing on one pillar, monitor your progress weekly, and let Closely handle the repetitive work so you can focus on building genuine connections that drive tangible business outcomes.
FAQs
What is the LinkedIn SSI score, and how can I check it?
The LinkedIn Social Selling Index (SSI) score is a tool that evaluates how well you’re using LinkedIn to grow your professional brand, connect with relevant individuals, engage with valuable insights, and build meaningful relationships. This score ranges from 0 to 100 and offers a clear snapshot of your LinkedIn activity and performance compared to others in your network.
To find your SSI score, simply log into LinkedIn and head over to the Social Selling Index page. The score is divided into four main categories, giving you a detailed look at where you excel and where you could step up your LinkedIn game.
What are the best ways to improve your LinkedIn SSI score across its four pillars?
Improving your LinkedIn SSI score involves focusing on its four key areas:
To build a strong personal brand, start by fully optimizing your profile. Use a professional headshot, a custom cover image, and complete all sections to showcase your expertise. Publish original posts or articles to highlight your knowledge and secure endorsements for your top skills to enhance credibility.
To connect with the right people, take advantage of LinkedIn’s search tools. Filter potential connections by job title, industry, or location, and regularly view profiles to stay on their radar. Save promising leads for future follow-ups to keep your outreach organized.
To engage with insights, actively participate in discussions by liking, commenting, or sharing relevant posts. Share updates about your industry or offer personal perspectives to encourage engagement and position yourself as a resource in your field.
To build strong relationships, focus on connecting with decision-makers and craft personalized connection requests. Strengthen these connections by sending thoughtful messages, congratulating achievements, and sharing useful resources. Prioritize meaningful interactions to expand your network and boost your SSI score.
Why is having a high LinkedIn SSI score important for sales and marketing professionals?
A strong LinkedIn SSI (Social Selling Index) score showcases your social-selling expertise, which can greatly enhance your visibility and reputation on the platform. For professionals in sales and marketing, this can lead to impressive outcomes, such as being 45% more likely to create new opportunities, 51% more likely to hit quotas, and up to 78% more likely to outshine competitors.
Boosting your SSI score helps you forge meaningful connections, grow your professional network, and elevate your LinkedIn presence. These improvements can directly translate into better outreach efforts and stronger sales performance.