Source: https://www.agentweb.us/sites/linkedin.com/start-conversation/

# Can an AI agent start a new LinkedIn conversation?

By Andrey Marey, Founder of AgentWeb · As of Oct 22, 2026

> **Short answer.** Yes. AgentWeb's `start_conversation` opens a new LinkedIn thread with someone and sends the first message from the user's own account. It is verified for 1st-degree connections. For 2nd and 3rd-degree members, use `send_inmail`. The new thread's URN comes back, so the agent can follow up with `send_message`.

## What it does

Starts a new message thread with someone and sends the first message. It is a real send and cannot be unsent.

## What your agent needs

- `recipient_profile_urn`: the other person's profile URN, from `search_people_at_company` or `list_invitations`.
- `mailbox_urn`: the member's own, from `get_me`.
- The message text.

## What comes back

The created message and the conversation URN of the new thread.

## Using it safely

- Check there is no existing thread first (`search_conversations`). If there is one, use `send_message` instead.
- Use it for 1st-degree connections, where it is verified.
- Get the user's approval on the exact text.

## Try it

This sends a real message from the connected account. Get the person's approval first.

```bash
curl -s https://mcp.agentweb.us/api/execute \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $AGENTWEB_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Idempotency-Key: linkedin-start_conversation-1" \
  -d '{"domain":"linkedin.com","action":"start_conversation","params":{"recipient_profile_urn":"urn:li:fsd_profile:<id>","mailbox_urn":"<from get_me>","text":"Hi Sam, great to connect."}}'
```

Parameter names shown are illustrative. Your agent gets the exact schema for every action from AgentWeb's `list_actions` tool.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I message someone I'm not connected to?

Use `send_inmail` for members outside your 1st-degree network. It's free when they have an Open Profile, and otherwise it uses an InMail credit.

### What does it cost?

Each completed action costs $0.05, paid from prepaid blocks of $25, $50 or $100 that never expire. Failed actions are refunded.

### Which AI tools can use it?

Any agent that speaks MCP or HTTP. Add `https://mcp.agentweb.us/mcp` as a remote MCP server in Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Codex or Grok, or call the REST endpoint directly.

## Related

- [Send a LinkedIn message](/sites/linkedin.com/send-message/)
- [Send LinkedIn InMail](/sites/linkedin.com/send-inmail/)
- [How to let an AI agent send LinkedIn messages and connection requests safely](/guides/ai-agent-linkedin-outreach/)
- [LinkedIn API for AI agents](/sites/linkedin.com/)