Having a strong professional network is crucial for success in today’s business world. LinkedIn is the premier platform for building those connections, with over 800 million members worldwide. One of the core features of LinkedIn is the ability to “connect” with other professionals, which allows you to view their full profiles, exchange messages, and grow your network.
However, LinkedIn also offers an alternative to connecting called “following.” Following allows you to see someone’s public activity and posts without formally connecting. It’s useful for keeping tabs on influencers, companies, and other profiles you’re interested in without cluttering up your network.
By default, LinkedIn displays a blue “Connect” button on member profiles. But it’s possible to change this to a “Follow” button instead. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to switch to a follow button on LinkedIn.
Prerequisites
Before getting started, make sure you have:
- A LinkedIn account
- The LinkedIn mobile app (optional but recommended for easy access to settings)
Step 1: Access your LinkedIn Settings
The follow button option is controlled in your account settings. To access your settings on desktop:
- Click on your profile photo in the top right
- Select “Settings & Privacy” from the dropdown menu
- Choose “Preferences” from the left sidebar
On mobile:
- Tap your profile photo in the top left
- Tap “Settings”
- Tap “Preferences”
Step 2: Switch your profile viewing preference
In your account preferences, find the “Profile viewing options” section. Look for the toggle labeled “Show viewers this option first:”
Switch this toggle from “Connect” to “Follow.”
Step 3: Save your settings
Make sure to click “Save” at the bottom of the page on desktop or mobile to confirm the follow button change.
Step 4: View your new follow button
Now when you view other LinkedIn member profiles, you should see a blue “Follow” button instead of “Connect.” Try viewing a few different profiles to test it out.
The follow button allows you to keep up with their activity without formally connecting. You can change back to a connect button any time in your settings.
Considerations when following vs. connecting
Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding whether to follow or connect with someone on LinkedIn:
- Following allows you to see someone’s public posts and activity without linking your profiles.
- Connecting links you directly and allows full profile access both ways.
- Followers don’t see your full profile and updates like connections do.
- You can follow back influencers, companies, etc. without cluttering up your connections.
- Connections are mutually agreed upon and considered more substantial.
Tips for using the LinkedIn follow feature
Here are some tips to get the most out of LinkedIn’s follow option:
Follow influencers and thought leaders
Following industry influencers, thought leaders, and published authors is a great way to keep tabs on their frequent posts and published content.
Follow companies and organizations
Following relevant companies, nonprofits, and other organizations lets you monitor their LinkedIn activity without formally connecting.
See someone’s activity before connecting
If you’re unsure about connecting with someone, follow them first to evaluate their activity and determine if their updates would be valuable.
Limit clutter in your connections
Only connect with people you want to mutually interact with. Follow others you simply want to monitor at a distance.
Maintain privacy
Remember followers can only see your public posts and profile info, not your full profile details.
Pro tips for maximizing your LinkedIn network
In addition to strategically using the LinkedIn follow feature, here are some expert tips for building your professional network:
Craft a strong profile summary
Your summary is prime real estate for showcasing your best attributes. Include key skills, accomplishments, and goals.
Use media to stand out
Add visuals like a profile photo, cover image, videos, presentations, and more to showcase your personality.
Engage meaningfully with content
Comment on posts, share articles, and join groups to connect with others who have similar interests and roles.
Build relationships before asking for favors
Don’t just connect and immediately ask for something. Nurture relationships by commenting and liking before making requests.
Write customized connection requests
When asking to connect, write a unique message referencing shared experiences, interests, or contacts.
Follow up after connecting
After connecting, reach out to set up a call, meet in person, or work together on common goals.
Offer help and advice to your network
It’s not just about what your network can do for you. Provide value by making introductions and sharing insights.
Stay active by posting, commenting, and sharing
Consistently interact so you stay top of mind and maintain visibility in your network’s feed.
Common questions and answers about LinkedIn’s follow feature
Who can see my followers and who I’m following?
Like connections, your list of followers and follows is visible to anyone who views your profile. However, the specific activity of who followed whom is not shown.
Can I see the full profiles and posts of people I follow?
No, following only gives access to public information. You won’t see full profiles or private activity from those you follow.
Can I filter my feed based on just followers or just connections?
No, LinkedIn’s feed shows all activity from both connections and followers combined. There is no way to separate them.
Do my followers see my posts in their feeds?
Yes, anything you post publicly will appear in the feeds of both your connections and followers.
Can I follow someone back who is following me?
Yes, you can easily follow back anyone who follows you by going to your list of followers and selecting “follow” next to their name.
Is there a limit to how many people I can follow?
No, there are no limits on the number of followers or follows allowed. You can follow as many profiles as you’d like.
Why can’t I see the follow option on some profiles?
The follow button only appears on member profiles. It will not be available for company pages or Showcase pages without a linked member profile.
Conclusion
The LinkedIn follow feature provides a lighter-weight option for staying updated on industry leaders and organizational pages without formally connecting. It’s great for monitoring news and activity without cluttering up your network.
By toggling your profile viewing preference to “Follow” in your account settings, you can start growing your reading list of follows. Use connections for mutual professional engagement and follows for one-way monitoring.
In addition to strategically using the follow option, keep these tips in mind for building a thriving professional network on LinkedIn:
- Craft an informative, keyword-rich profile summary
- Showcase your personality through rich media
- Comment and share content to connect with others
- Build relationships before making requests
- Personalize connection invitations
- Follow up with new connections
- Offer advice and support to your network
- Stay active by regularly posting and interacting
With the right approach, you can build a strong LinkedIn network full of meaningful connections and useful follows. This will amplify your professional visibility and opportunities.