Is LinkedIn Private Mode Worth the Risk? (2023)

Nilson Ivano -

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform with over 740 million users.

As a job seeker or professional looking to expand your network, you can use LinkedIn to build relationships, find job opportunities, and showcase your skills and expertise.

However, there may be times when you want to browse LinkedIn profiles anonymously or without leaving a trail.

In such cases, you can use LinkedIn Private Mode, which allows you to view profiles without notifying the person you visited.

Key Takeaways:

- Use LinkedIn Private Mode selectively and be respectful of other people's privacy when using it.
- Optimize your profile on LinkedIn, connect with others, engage with content, and attend events to network effectively.
- Private Mode does not prevent recruiters or other LinkedIn members from sending messages or connection requests.
- It is important to consider your needs and preferences when deciding whether to use Private Mode or view profiles normally on LinkedIn.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to use the Private Mode on Linkedin effectively and get the most out of it.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What is LinkedIn Private Mode?
  3. How to Turn on LinkedIn Private Mode
  4. How to View Profiles in Private Mode on Linkedin
  5. Pros of Using LinkedIn Private Mode
  6. Cons of Using LinkedIn Private Mode
  7. Best Practices for Using Private Mode on Linkedin
  8. Tips for Networking on LinkedIn
  9. Conclusion
  10. FAQs

What is LinkedIn Private Mode?

LinkedIn Private Mode is a feature that allows you to browse LinkedIn profiles without notifying the person you visited.

This means that your visit will not show up in the person’s “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” section.

Using the Private Mode can help you maintain your privacy and avoid unwanted attention from recruiters or competitors.

How to Turn on LinkedIn Private Mode

Turning on LinkedIn Private Mode is easy. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Log in to your LinkedIn account.
  2. Click on “Me” in the top navigation bar.
  3. Select “Settings & Privacy” from the dropdown menu.
  4. Click on “How others see your profile and network information” under the “Privacy” tab.
  5. Choose “Private mode” from the options under “Profile viewing options.”

Once you turn on LinkedIn Private Mode, your profile will appear as “Anonymous LinkedIn Member” when you visit other profiles.

How to View Profiles in LinkedIn Private Mode

After turning on LinkedIn Private Mode, you can start browsing profiles anonymously. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Log in to your LinkedIn account.
  2. Search for the profile you want to view.
  3. Click on the profile to open it.
  4. LinkedIn will notify you that you’re in Private Mode and that your visit won’t be visible to the person.
  5. Browse the profile as you normally would.

It’s important to note that you may not be able to see some information on a profile while in Private Mode, such as the person’s full name, location, or job title.

Pros of Using LinkedIn Private Mode

Using LinkedIn Private Mode can have several advantages, such as:

  1. Privacy: LinkedIn Private Mode allows you to browse profiles without leaving a trail or notifying the person you visited. This can help you maintain your privacy and avoid unwanted attention from recruiters or competitors.
  2. Research: If you’re researching a company or a person, using LinkedIn Private Mode can help you gather information without alerting the person or company.
  3. Networking: If you’re a job seeker or a professional looking to expand your network, using LinkedIn Private Mode can help you visit profiles without seeming intrusive or aggressive.

Cons of Using LinkedIn Private Mode

Using LinkedIn Private Mode can also have some disadvantages, such as:

  1. Limited Information: Private Mode viewers may not be able to see some information on a profile, such as a person’s full name, location, or job title. This can make it harder to research or network effectively.
  2. Trust Issues: If you visit someone’s profile in Linkedin's Private Mode, they may view it as suspicious or untrustworthy behavior. This can harm your chances of building a relationship or getting a job
  3. Missed Opportunities: By browsing profiles anonymously, you may miss out on valuable networking opportunities or job openings that could have been available if you had identified yourself.
  4. Lack of Personalization: When you visit a profile in Private Mode, you won’t be able to personalize your visit by leaving a thoughtful comment or endorsement, which can help you build a relationship with the person.

Best Practices for Using LinkedIn Private Mode

To get the most out of LinkedIn Private Mode, here are some best practices to follow:

  1. Use it selectively: Use LinkedIn Private Mode only when you need to maintain your privacy or when you’re conducting research. Avoid using it as your default setting.
  2. Be respectful: Don’t use LinkedIn Private Mode to stalk or spy on people. Be respectful of their privacy and avoid viewing their profiles excessively.
  3. Be transparent: If you’re using LinkedIn Private Mode to research a company or a person, consider reaching out to them to introduce yourself and explain why you’re interested in their profile.
  4. Customize your settings: LinkedIn's Private Mode feature has different settings that allow you to choose how you want to appear to others when you visit their profile. Customize your settings based on your needs and preferences.

Tips for Networking on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for networking and building relationships. Here are some tips to help you network effectively on LinkedIn:

  1. Optimize your profile: Make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and up-to-date. Use keywords that are relevant to your industry and job title.
  2. Connect with others: Connect with people in your industry or field who share similar interests or experiences. Send personalized connection requests and avoid using generic messages.
  3. Engage with content: Like, comment, and share posts and articles that are relevant to your industry or interests. Engage with others and start conversations.
  4. Attend events: LinkedIn offers virtual and in-person events that you can attend to meet new people and expand your network.
  5. Follow up: After connecting with someone or attending an event, follow up with a message or email to continue the conversation.

Do Linkedin Premium accounts have access to Private Mode?

Do you want to know if the LinkedIn Premium account can view anonymous users? Absolutely! Both a free LinkedIn account and Premium accounts give access to private mode, so you can remain unidentified.

However, there is one huge disparity. If you manage a free account, you can use private mode but unfortunately won't be able to view who viewed your profile either.

Conversely, if you have a Premium Linkedin account, you can activate the private mode and secretly check out any profile without anyone knowing that you did by using the private mode.

Not only can Premium account holders take advantage of this feature, but you can also review the list of people who have visited your profile within 90 days at any time.

By doing so, you get the best of both worlds - seeing who is visiting your profile without revealing private information.

While the Linkedin Premium subscription offers many benefits, you won't be able to view the private profile characteristics of Linkedin users that have chosen to activate private mode to visit your profile. This is by Linkedin's privacy policy.

Why is this important for you?

LinkedIn Private Mode can be a useful tool for maintaining your privacy and conducting research on LinkedIn.

However, it’s important to use it selectively and follow best practices to avoid missing out on valuable networking opportunities.

By optimizing your profile, connecting with others, engaging with content, attending events, and following up, you can build strong relationships and advance your career on LinkedIn.

FAQs

Can you still see who viewed your profile in Private Mode?
No, when someone visits your profile in Private Mode, their visit won’t show up in your “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” section.

Can you use Private Mode to avoid being contacted by recruiters?
No, Private Mode doesn’t prevent recruiters or other LinkedIn members from sending you messages or connection requests.

Can you browse LinkedIn anonymously without using Private Mode?
No, if you’re logged in to your LinkedIn account, your visits to other profiles will be visible to the person you visited.

Can you turn off Private Mode after turning it on?
Yes, you can turn off Private Mode at any time by following the same steps you used to turn it on.

Is it better to use Private Mode or view profiles normally on LinkedIn?
It depends on your needs and preferences. If you want to maintain your privacy or avoid leaving a trail, use Private Mode. If you want to personalize your visit and build a relationship, view profiles normally.

What is the difference between private and semi private mode?
When you set your profile to private mode, people will simply be notified that someone visited their page. No other details about you are disclosed. Meanwhile, if you opt for a semi-private setting, some of your profile attributes can become visible - like job title and industry.