# 🎯 LinkedIn Decision Maker Finder (Apollo Alternative) (`automation_studio/linkedin-decision-maker-finder`) Actor

Find verified C-Suite executives, Founders, VPs, and Decision Makers without LinkedIn account bans. Real-time SERP dorking, predicted corporate emails, live DNS MX deliverability validation, seniority tiering, and ready-to-send cold outreach copy.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/automation\_studio/linkedin-decision-maker-finder.md
- **Developed by:** [Automation Studio](https://apify.com/automation_studio) (community)
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $3.00 / 1,000 verified decision maker leads

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## 🎯 LinkedIn Decision Maker Finder (Apollo & SalesQL Alternative)

[![Apify Actor](https://img.shields.io/badge/Apify-Actor-orange?logo=apify)](https://apify.com/automation_studio/linkedin-decision-maker-finder)
[![Pay-Per-Event](https://img.shields.io/badge/Pricing-Pay--Per--Event-green)](https://apify.com/automation_studio/linkedin-decision-maker-finder)
[![Ban Free](https://img.shields.io/badge/Risk-100%25_Ban--Free-blue)](https://apify.com/automation_studio/linkedin-decision-maker-finder)

Find verified **C-Suite executives, Founders, VPs, and Decision Makers** without LinkedIn account bans. Powered by real-time Google SERP dorking with predicted corporate email permutations, live DNS MX deliverability validation, seniority tiering, and ready-to-send cold outreach copy.

***

### ⚡ Why Use This Over Apollo or SalesQL?

Enterprise sales intelligence platforms like **Apollo.io, ZoomInfo, and SalesQL** charge **$2,000 to $10,000+ per year** with strict credit limits, locked contracts, and stale contact databases. Meanwhile, traditional LinkedIn scrapers that log into your account risk **permanent LinkedIn account bans and restrictions**.

**LinkedIn Decision Maker Finder** provides an open, modern alternative:

1. **100% Account Safe**: Zero LinkedIn login or session cookies required. Operates completely through public search index discovery.
2. **Real-Time Data**: Queries live search indexes in real-time, capturing newly hired executives and recently promoted decision-makers that static databases miss.
3. **Built-in Contact & MX Enrichment**: Predicts corporate work email patterns (`first.last@company.com`) and performs a **live DNS MX check** against Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 to verify email deliverability.
4. **Seniority Tiering & ICP Classification**: Auto-groups leads into `Tier 1: C-Level & Founders`, `Tier 2: VP & Head of`, `Tier 3: Directors`, and `Tier 4: Managers`.
5. **Ready-to-Send Cold Outreach Copy**: Auto-generates personalized cold email subject lines, custom 3-sentence value hooks, and LinkedIn connection request notes ready for instant export into **Instantly, Smartlead, or Lemlist**.

***

### 📊 Feature Comparison

| Feature | Apollo.io | SalesQL | Cookie-Based Scrapers | 🎯 LinkedIn Decision Maker Finder |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Annual Cost** | $1,200 – $6,000/yr | $468 – $1,200/yr | Subscription + Proxies | **$0 Monthly Fee (Pay-Per-Event only)** |
| **Account Ban Risk** | None (Third-party) | High (Browser extension) | High (Account restriction) | **Zero Risk (100% Public Discovery)** |
| **LinkedIn Login Required** | No | Yes | Yes (Session Cookies) | **Never** |
| **Live Freshness** | Stale static database | Live DOM | Live DOM | **Real-Time Search Index** |
| **Live DNS MX Deliverability** | Extra Add-on | Extra Add-on | No | **Included Free** |
| **Automated Cold Outreach Copy**| No | No | No | **Included Free** |
| **Free Monthly Usage** | 50 credits | 50 credits | 0 | **1,000 Leads/mo (via Apify $5 Credit)** |

***

### 📦 What Every Lead Delivers

Every record extracted by the actor includes:

- **`fullName`**: Clean full name of the executive.
- **`firstName`** & **`lastName`**: Structured variables for cold email personalization.
- **`jobTitle`**: Current executive role (e.g., `Chief Technology Officer`, `VP Sales`).
- **`companyName`**: Target company name.
- **`companyDomain`**: Target company website domain.
- **`seniorityTier`**: `Tier 1: C-Level & Founders`, `Tier 2: Vice Presidents & Heads`, `Tier 3: Directors & Principals`, or `Tier 4: Managers`.
- **`department`**: `Executive Leadership`, `Sales & Revenue`, `Marketing & Growth`, `Engineering & Technology`, `Product & Design`, or `Finance & Operations`.
- **`location`**: Metropolitan area or headquarters region.
- **`linkedinUrl`**: Direct canonical profile link (`https://www.linkedin.com/in/{slug}`).
- **`predictedWorkEmail`**: Corporate email pattern (e.g., `alex.chen@stripe.com`).
- **`emailFormat`**: Detected pattern structure (`first.last@domain`).
- **`emailConfidenceScore`**: Deliverability confidence percentage.
- **`mxValid`**: Boolean confirming whether the domain has active mail exchange DNS records.
- **`mxProvider`**: Detected host (e.g. `Google Workspace`, `Microsoft 365`, `Proofpoint`).
- **`coldEmailSubject`**: High-converting, personalized cold email subject line.
- **`coldEmailHook`**: 3-sentence value proposition hook tailored to their specific department.
- **`linkedinInMailNote`**: Personalized 280-character connection request note.

***

### 💰 Transparent Pay-Per-Event (PPE) Pricing

- **Actor Startup**: Just **$0.001** (virtually free).
- **Per Enriched Lead**: **$0.005** ($5.00 per 1,000 leads).
- **Volume Discounts**:
  - Free: $0.005 / lead
  - Bronze: $0.004 / lead
  - Silver: $0.0035 / lead
  - Gold: $0.003 / lead
  - Platinum: $0.0025 / lead
  - Diamond: $0.002 / lead
- 🎁 **Free Monthly Allowance**: Apify provides every account with **$5.00 in free monthly credits**. That gives you up to **1,000 decision-maker leads every month 100% free**!

***

### 🚀 How to Run

#### Input Example

```json
{
  "companies": ["Stripe", "HubSpot", "Datadog"],
  "targetRoles": ["CEO", "Founder", "Co-Founder", "CTO", "VP Sales", "Head of Growth"],
  "seniorityFilter": "all",
  "maxResultsPerCompany": 5,
  "maxResults": 50,
  "verifyMxRecords": true,
  "generateOutreachCopy": true,
  "searchEngine": "auto"
}
```

***

### 🛠️ Integrations & Export

Data can be exported instantly to:

- **CSV / Excel**: Direct import into HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Apollo, or Close.
- **Cold Outreach Tools**: Native columns map directly to Instantly, Smartlead, Lemlist, and Woodpecker.
- **API / Webhooks**: Stream leads to Make.com, Zapier, or your custom CRM via Apify Webhooks.

# Actor input Schema

## `companies` (type: `array`):

Enter company names (e.g., Stripe, HubSpot, Airbnb) or company domains (e.g., stripe.com, hubspot.com). You can provide multiple companies for batch prospecting.

## `targetRoles` (type: `array`):

Enter specific job titles or keywords to target. Leave default to target top executive decision makers.

## `seniorityFilter` (type: `string`):

Filter discovered leads by seniority tier.

## `maxResults` (type: `integer`):

Maximum number of verified decision-maker leads to collect across all target companies (minimum 10).

## `maxResultsPerCompany` (type: `integer`):

Maximum decision makers to extract per company before moving to the next company in your list.

## `verifyMxRecords` (type: `boolean`):

When enabled, checks if the target company domain has active MX mail exchange records (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, etc.) to validate email deliverability.

## `generateOutreachCopy` (type: `boolean`):

Automatically generates personalized cold email subject lines, email hooks, and LinkedIn connection request notes for each lead.

## `searchEngine` (type: `string`):

Select the primary search discovery engine. 'Auto Fallback' automatically rotates across Google, DuckDuckGo, and Bing for maximum reliability without proxy errors.

## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`):

Apify Proxy configuration. When using Google directly, residential or datacenter proxies are recommended. Auto fallback to DuckDuckGo/Bing works seamlessly even without proxies.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "companies": [
    "Stripe",
    "HubSpot"
  ],
  "targetRoles": [
    "CEO",
    "Founder",
    "Co-Founder",
    "Chief Technology Officer",
    "VP Sales",
    "Head of Growth"
  ],
  "seniorityFilter": "all",
  "maxResults": 50,
  "maxResultsPerCompany": 5,
  "verifyMxRecords": true,
  "generateOutreachCopy": true,
  "searchEngine": "auto",
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": false
  }
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `dataset` (type: `string`):

Exportable tabular dataset containing all discovered and enriched executive leads.

## `summary` (type: `string`):

Comprehensive markdown summary report with company breakdowns, seniority charts, and top prospects.

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "companies": [
        "Stripe",
        "HubSpot"
    ],
    "targetRoles": [
        "CEO",
        "Founder",
        "Co-Founder",
        "Chief Technology Officer",
        "VP Sales",
        "Head of Growth"
    ],
    "seniorityFilter": "all",
    "maxResults": 50,
    "maxResultsPerCompany": 5,
    "searchEngine": "auto"
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("automation_studio/linkedin-decision-maker-finder").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "companies": [
        "Stripe",
        "HubSpot",
    ],
    "targetRoles": [
        "CEO",
        "Founder",
        "Co-Founder",
        "Chief Technology Officer",
        "VP Sales",
        "Head of Growth",
    ],
    "seniorityFilter": "all",
    "maxResults": 50,
    "maxResultsPerCompany": 5,
    "searchEngine": "auto",
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("automation_studio/linkedin-decision-maker-finder").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "companies": [
    "Stripe",
    "HubSpot"
  ],
  "targetRoles": [
    "CEO",
    "Founder",
    "Co-Founder",
    "Chief Technology Officer",
    "VP Sales",
    "Head of Growth"
  ],
  "seniorityFilter": "all",
  "maxResults": 50,
  "maxResultsPerCompany": 5,
  "searchEngine": "auto"
}' |
apify call automation_studio/linkedin-decision-maker-finder --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,automation_studio/linkedin-decision-maker-finder"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/OfpaZvP4wnmLHTqrj/builds/VNTel5a3gyHpuyFlh/openapi.json