Automate LinkedIn Profile Discovery with n8n & Google Sheets

What this workflow does

This workflow finds LinkedIn profile URLs from names listed in a Google Sheets document automatically.
It stops the need to search manually on the web for each person.
The output is the exact LinkedIn URLs added back to the right rows in Google Sheets.
This saves time and reduces mistakes in copying links.

Who should use this workflow

This workflow helps anyone who keeps a list of names and wants their LinkedIn URLs added quickly.
It works best for recruiters, HR staff, and teams with large spreadsheets of people.

Tools and services used

• n8n: The automation platform where the workflow runs.
• Google Sheets: Holds the list of names and updates profile URLs.
• Google Drive OAuth2 credentials: To allow n8n to read and edit Sheets.
• Airtop API: AI-powered web search to find LinkedIn URLs from names.

Inputs, processing, and outputs

Inputs

The workflow takes rows from a Google Sheet.
Each row must include a name to search LinkedIn for.

Processing steps

• The workflow fetches all names from the Google Sheets document.
• An Airtop node sends a Google search query using AI to find LinkedIn profile URLs.
• A code node parses results to pick the correct LinkedIn URL, only URLs starting with “https://www.linkedin.com/in/” are kept.
• The workflow updates original Google Sheets rows, writing back the found LinkedIn URLs next to each name.
• Error checks happen for cases when no URL is found or when Google limits API calls.

Outputs

The output is the same Google Sheets document with new “LinkedIn URL” data filled in for each name.
This makes outreach easier and data more accurate.

Beginner step-by-step: How to use this workflow in n8n production

Import and setup

1. Download the workflow file using the Download button on this page.
2. Inside the n8n editor, click the top menu and select “Import from File”.
3. Choose the downloaded workflow file to add it to n8n.
4. After importing, you must configure credentials:
   • Add Google Drive OAuth2 credentials for Google Sheets access.
   • Enter Airtop API Key in the Airtop node settings.
5. Update the Google Sheets Document ID and Sheet name fields:
   • Use your own Google Sheets document ID.
   • Make sure the sheet name matches your document (usually “Sheet1”).
6. Ensure the Airtop node URL expression and prompt exactly match:

=https://www.google.com/search?q={{ encodeURI($json['Person Info']) }}

This is Google Search results. the first results should be the Linkedin Page of {{ $json['Person Info'] }}
Return the Linkedin URL and nothing else.
If you cannot find the Linkedin URL, return an empty string.
A valid Linkedin profile URL starts with "https://www.linkedin.com/in/"

7. Check the code node runs “once for each item” and uses this code to attach the LinkedIn URL:

const linkedInProfile = $json.data.modelResponse;
const rowData = $('Person info').item.json;

return { json: {
  ...rowData,
  'LinkedIn URL': linkedInProfile
}};

8. Test the workflow by clicking “Execute Workflow”.
9. Check Google Sheets updates correct rows with LinkedIn URLs.
10. If tests pass, activate the workflow for automated or scheduled runs.

For users running self-host n8n, make sure your server has internet access for Google and Airtop APIs.

Customizations and improvement ideas

• Change the search query in Airtop node to include company or location for better match.
• Add a validation filter node to confirm LinkedIn URLs start with the correct prefix before writing.
• Batch process multiple names per API call to speed up large lists.
• Change the AI prompt to extract job titles or company info alongside LinkedIn URLs.

Edge cases and errors

• No data from Google Sheets: Check you used correct Document ID and Sheet name.
• Empty LinkedIn URL from AI: The search terms may be unclear or Google may block scraping.
  Try refining prompts and watching rate limits.
• Google Sheets update fails: OAuth2 credential may lack edit permissions.
  Reauthorize with full edit access.

Summary of results

✓ Automates LinkedIn profile URL retrieval from names in Google Sheets.
✓ Saves hours of manual searching and copying links.
✓ Updates Google Sheets accurately and automatically.
✓ Reduces human error and improves data quality.
✓ Can be run repeatedly and on large data sets.