LinkedIn has become the go-to platform for professional networking and recruiting. With over 722 million members worldwide, it’s likely that you will want to check out other people’s profiles from time to time. But can you do this without them knowing? Let’s take a closer look at how LinkedIn works and the options available for viewing profiles privately.
LinkedIn’s Default Settings
When you view someone’s profile on LinkedIn, they will be notified in most cases. LinkedIn’s default settings are designed to encourage engagement between members, so profile views are not private by default. There are two main ways the person will know you looked at their profile:
- They will see you listed under “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” on their homepage. This section shows the last 5 profiles that viewed theirs in the last 90 days. They can click “See all” to view the full list.
- If you are in any of their LinkedIn groups, they will also receive an email notification letting them know you viewed their profile. Note that you can adjust your settings to opt out of these emails.
So if you view someone’s profile while logged into your account, chances are that person will know. The exception is if you are not in any shared groups and it has been more than 90 days since you last viewed their profile.
Anonymous Search Setting
LinkedIn does give members the ability to search anonymously to some extent. If you enable “Private Mode” under account settings, your name will not show up to others when:
- You view someone’s public profile
- You search for profiles in the LinkedIn database
- You look at the “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” section
With Private Mode on, the person whose profile you view will simply see an “anonymous LinkedIn member” rather than your name and profile photo. While not completely invisible, it does obscure your identity.
Limitations of Anonymous Search
There are still some limitations to what Private Mode can hide:
- The person will still get an email notification if you view their profile and are in any shared LinkedIn Groups.
- They can see your name if you send them a connection request or message.
- They will see your name if you already have a 1st-degree connection with them.
So while toggling on Private Mode helps, it is not a foolproof way to browse anonymously in all situations.
Using a Different LinkedIn Account
One guaranteed way to view a LinkedIn profile completely anonymously is to use a different account that the person is not connected to. Here are a few options:
Create a secondary LinkedIn profile
LinkedIn allows you to have multiple profiles under the same email address. So you could create a secondary profile just for stealth viewing. Make sure not to connect it to your primary profile or the anonymity is lost.
Use another email address
You can create a whole new LinkedIn account under a different email. Use this profile to view other people’s profiles privately. Just don’t connect it to your real identity in any way.
Borrow someone else’s account
If you have a trusted friend or family member who wouldn’t mind lending you their account, this is another way to browse completely anonymously. Just ask them to log you in for a short viewing session.
Premium Subscriptions for Private Viewing
LinkedIn also offers premium subscriptions that include more private viewing options, for a fee. Here are two to consider:
LinkedIn Recruiter
LinkedIn Recruiter packages start at $99/month and allow private profile viewing in two ways:
- Anonymous searching – profiles viewed will not show up in “Who’s Viewed You.”
- “Private Mode” – this obscures your identity and all LinkedIn Recruiter activity.
LinkedIn Sales Navigator
Sales Navigator starts at $79/month and includes the “Private Mode” feature described above. All profile viewing activity will be completely anonymous.
These premium options guarantee anonymity but come at a price. If you only need occasional private access, a free alternative account may be sufficient.
Inside Information on Profile Views
To give a better idea of exactly what LinkedIn members can see when their profile is viewed, here is a quick overview:
On the homepage
Free Account Holder | Premium Account Holder |
---|---|
Can see the last 5 profiles that viewed theirs | This section is hidden |
Views by anonymous/private mode show as “anonymous” | Views show as “You” |
Email notifications
Free Account Holder | Premium Account Holder |
---|---|
Notified when profile viewed by someone in their network | Notifications can be disabled |
Sees name of viewer | Viewer name hidden |
As you can see, premium subscribers on LinkedIn have much more control over their anonymity and visibility. But even free members can take steps to obscure profile viewing activity.
Conclusion
Viewing LinkedIn profiles privately is possible, but requires some effort:
- Turn on “Private Mode” for anonymous searching
- Use a secondary account not connected to your profile
- Upgrade to a premium account for full control
While LinkedIn default settings encourage open engagement, they do provide options to give members more privacy. Understanding these options allows you to browse profiles discreetly and respectfully.