Overview
Excluding leads that have already been contacted or are existing clients is essential to protect relationships, avoid duplicate outreach, and keep your campaigns clean.
This article explains the simplest exclusion options, including the new Skip already contacted leads feature, followed by advanced exclusion methods available in La Growth Machine.
Key benefits
Prevent duplicate outreach across all identities on your account
Protect existing clients and warm relationships
Save time with automated exclusions during lead import
Keep campaigns clean and focused on new prospects
Simple exclusion options (recommended)
These options are the easiest and safest ways to avoid contacting the same leads twice.
1. Skip already contacted leads
This option automatically excludes any lead that has already been contacted on your LGM account, by any identity.
It works across all import sources:
LinkedIn imports
Sales Navigator imports
CSV imports
CRM imports
Make and Zapier workflows
Public API imports
How it works
Start any lead import.
The Skip already contacted leads option is enabled by default.
You can disable it manually if needed before launching the import.
If the option is enabled:
All previously contacted leads on the account are excluded.
If at least one lead is excluded, a notification is displayed at the end of the import containing the number of excluded leads.
2. Exclude contacted leads per identity (Is a contact)
Unlike Skip already contacted leads, which applies at the account level, this option allows you to exclude leads per identity inside a sequence.
How to use it
Go to Custom Sequences.
Add the condition Is a contact.
Choose how to handle leads already connected to that identity:
Send a tailored message
Handle the lead manually
Note: This option is useful when multiple identities share the same account but require a pro or ultimate plan
Advanced exclusion options
Use these options for more precise control or complex workflows.
Option 1: Exclude accounts directly in LinkedIn Sales Navigator
Open a lead search.
In the Current Company field, add companies you’ve already targeted or clients.
Click the exclude button.
Working at the company level is recommended to avoid monitoring new employees individually.
Tip: For long lists, create lists in Sales Navigator and import via CSV.
Examples of lists:
Recently prospected (last 6 months)
Currently in pipeline
Existing client
Option 2: Create a blacklist directly in LGM
Go to Leads → Import leads
Import a CSV with recently contacted clients or prospects
To exclude other prospects in the same company:
Import from LinkedIn
Select leads to add to your Black List audience
Best practices:
Update the blacklist regularly (e.g., monthly)
Use Only leads in multiple audiences to automatically remove leads from new audiences
Optional: Unsubscribe in bulk to mark leads as "unsubscribe". This action is reversible via resubscribe.
Unlike an unsubscribe initiated by a lead from the unsubscribe link, this is a reversible action: you can decide to "resubscribe" your leads at any time.
Option 3: Filter by contacted or replied leads
In LGM :
Use Replied or Contacted filters to identify recently automated leads
Combine with qualification tags to avoid contacting the same prospect twice
Option 4: Exclude 1st-degree connections in LinkedIn Sales Navigator
For LinkedIn Basic: select only 2nd and 3rd-degree connections
Sales Navigator search :
Option 5: Use the Unsubscribe function
For inactive or uninterested prospects, manually unsubscribe them
Resubscribe is possible only for manually unsubscribed leads
Leads unsubscribed via the email link cannot be contacted again
Option 6: Modify Exit Settings with custom exits
Standard exits: automatically stop sequences after a reply
Custom exits: add a webhook or unfollow a lead after a reply
Practical example:
Reply → Add to Audience
Filter with Audience Count → Only leads in multiple audiences
Goal: isolate leads in the Already Contacted audience
💡 Good to know
How LGM identifies duplicates:
Match via LinkedIn URL
If no URL: match via professional email address
If neither: match by first name + last name + company
FAQ
Which leads are excluded by Skip already contacted leads?
Which leads are excluded by Skip already contacted leads?
All leads previously contacted on the account, by any identity.
Which leads should be added to the blacklist?
Which leads should be added to the blacklist?
All current clients, recently contacted prospects, and leads in ongoing campaigns.
Can I resubscribe a lead unsubscribed via email link?
Can I resubscribe a lead unsubscribed via email link?
No, only manually unsubscribed leads can be resubscribed.
What is the difference between Skip already contacted leads and Is a contact?
What is the difference between Skip already contacted leads and Is a contact?
Skip applies to the entire account, while Is a contact applies to the LinkedIn account connected to the identity.
What filters help avoid contacting the same prospect multiple times?
What filters help avoid contacting the same prospect multiple times?
Only leads in multiple audiences
Replied / Contacted
Qualification tags