Updated July 2025 – Discover everything LinkedIn stores about you and how to explore the data in your archive.
When you download your LinkedIn archive, you’re not just saving your resume or a list of connections. You’re getting a detailed, structured backup of everything LinkedIn knows about your professional life — from job applications to messages, searches, and even ad data.
This guide breaks down what’s inside the ZIP file you receive when exporting your data — and how to access and use that information.
✅ Why Understanding Your LinkedIn Archive Matters
Your LinkedIn archive is a powerful digital record that can help you:
- 📥 Keep personal backups of professional milestones
- 💬 Review private conversations with recruiters or contacts
- 🧠 Understand how LinkedIn tracks and uses your data
- 🔐 Conduct a privacy checkup or clean up your presence
- 🧳 Prepare for deleting or deactivating your account
Let’s explore exactly what’s in your downloaded archive — folder by folder.
📁 You’ll Receive a ZIP File
When you request your archive from LinkedIn, you’ll get a ZIP file containing multiple folders and files. The most common file formats are:
.csv(spreadsheets – readable in Excel or Google Sheets).txt(plain text messages and logs).html(for browsing in your browser)
📌 Tip: Use WinZip to extract the archive and pCloud to store it securely.
🗂️ Breakdown: What’s in the LinkedIn Archive?
Here are the most common data types you’ll receive:
👤 Profile.csv
Includes all profile fields:
- Full name
- Current and past job titles
- Employers, education, certifications
- Skills, endorsements, and recommendations
- Website links, contact info (if added)
✅ Great for rebuilding your profile elsewhere or creating a CV.
👥 Connections.csv
A complete list of your contacts, including:
- Names
- Positions and companies
- Connection dates
- Profile URLs
📊 Ideal for analyzing your network or building outreach lists.
💬 Messages.txt
Contains your private messages and conversations:
- One-on-one chats and message threads
- Job inquiries
- Recruiter conversations
- Timestamps
⚠️ Media attachments are not included — only message text.
🧾 Job_Applications.csv
A full list of job applications submitted via LinkedIn:
- Job title & company
- Date applied
- Status
- Job posting URL
📌 Helpful for job seekers tracking their application history.
🔍 Search_History.txt & Ads_Interactions.csv
Tracks your activity:
- Search terms used
- Profiles or companies viewed
- Ads clicked or interacted with
- Interest categories assigned to your profile
✅ Useful for a privacy review or marketing opt-outs.
🔐 Login_History.csv
Includes:
- IP addresses
- Device types
- Login dates & times
- Location data (approximate)
Good for identifying unusual login activity or keeping personal security tight.
🗂️ Other Possible Files:
Depending on your usage, you may also receive:
- Content you’ve posted (articles, comments, etc.)
- Group participation
- Skills assessments
- Certification uploads
- Company page history (if you manage one)
🔧 How to Explore Your Archive
Here’s how to access the data once downloaded:
| File Type | Open With |
|---|---|
.csv | Google Sheets, Excel, or Numbers |
.txt | Any text editor (Notepad, Sublime, etc.) |
.html | Any browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) |
For better organization, consider renaming files and backing them up in a structured cloud folder.
🔐 Keep Your LinkedIn Archive Safe
- Store it in a trusted cloud system like pCloud
- Don’t share or forward the ZIP file
- Avoid uploading to unknown platforms
- Delete local copies after secure upload
🧠 Final Thoughts
Your LinkedIn archive is more than just a resume — it’s your entire professional digital history. Use it to take control of your career data, analyze your network, and prepare for whatever’s next.
🔘 Download Your LinkedIn Data Now →
🗂️ Extract with WinZip | Store it safely with pCloudI