When you send a message to someone on LinkedIn, you may notice that LinkedIn shows you if the recipient has read your message. Specifically, LinkedIn displays “Read” next to the message once the recipient opens and views it in their inbox. This read notification indicates the message has been seen. However, it does not necessarily mean the person actually read the full message or indicate they will respond.
How LinkedIn message read receipts work
LinkedIn’s messaging system automatically generates read receipts when the recipient opens the message thread containing your message. This happens whether they view the message on desktop or mobile. On desktop, the notification appears immediately when the user clicks the message thread. On mobile, viewing the message preview triggers the read receipt.
Once triggered, the read notification cannot be disabled or removed. Senders will always know if their LinkedIn messages have been opened. Recipients do not have the option to turn read receipts off.
Why LinkedIn added read notifications
LinkedIn introduced read notifications in messaging to help senders understand if their messages are being seen. Knowing a message has been read gives the sender confirmation it was received and viewed. This provides awareness around messages that may need following up on if marked as read but not replied to.
Read confirmations act similarly to other messaging apps. They provide basic visibility into message delivery and opens without requiring back-and-forth communication. LinkedIn likely added them to align with user expectations around modern messaging experiences.
Does “Read” mean they fully read the message?
Not necessarily. The read notification only means the message was opened and displayed. The recipient may have just quickly glanced at the preview or subject line before moving on.
LinkedIn’s read receipt triggers based on the message thread being viewed. The person does not have to read your full message content to mark it as read.
Therefore, read messages may still be ignored or only scanned briefly. Do not assume read means they thoroughly read or absorbed your full message. Follow up if you require a response.
Does it indicate they will respond?
No, a read notification does not guarantee a response will be sent. The recipient may choose not to reply for various reasons, including:
- They did not have time to write back yet
- Your message did not warrant a response
- They missed your question or request
- They forgot to follow up and reply
- They did not know how to respond
A read message only confirms your content was seen. It does not mean the person will definitely get back to you. Be sure to follow up if your initial message requires a response.
Can you turn off LinkedIn read receipts?
There is no setting to disable read receipts for LinkedIn messages. Individual users cannot turn them off.
As a sender or recipient, you cannot opt out of sending or seeing read confirmations. They are automatically enabled across LinkedIn messaging.
Why aren’t read notifications optional?
LinkedIn likely keeps read receipts mandatory to ensure consistent messaging experiences. Read confirmations provide value to senders by confirming delivery. If recipients could disable them, it would limit sender visibility.
Read receipts also align with how most messaging platforms work today. Users expect them as standard features. Letting individuals turn them off could cause confusion and inconsistencies.
Overall, keeping read notifications required helps LinkedIn provide expected messaging functionality across its platform.
Can you tell if someone screenshots your message?
No, LinkedIn does not notify you if someone takes a screenshot of your message. The read receipt only tracks if the message thread was opened.
Screenshot notifications are not possible due to privacy restrictions. Apps cannot monitor user device actions like screenshots. So LinkedIn has no way to detect screenshots or alert senders.
Does LinkedIn notify you if your message is deleted?
No. LinkedIn does not alert senders if the recipient deletes their message. Your message will simply disappear from the thread on the recipient’s side.
You will not receive any notification indicating your message was removed. The deletion will be invisible to you as the sender.
Can you recall a message after sending it?
Unfortunately, there is no way to recall or delete a message after sending it via LinkedIn. The content cannot be revoked once you hit send.
Your only option is to send another message acknowledging your previous message was a mistake. However, you cannot remove the original message after it has been sent.
Can you see when someone last checked LinkedIn messages?
LinkedIn does not display the recipient’s last seen or active status in messaging. You cannot view when someone was last active on LinkedIn messages.
The only information available is the time your specific message thread was viewed based on the read receipt. You cannot see the recipient’s overall last seen time or activity.
Does LinkedIn notify you if your message is reported?
LinkedIn will not proactively notify you if someone reports your message. However, you may receive a notification if action is taken on your account based on the report.
For example, if your message gets flagged as abusive and your account is restricted, LinkedIn will alert you. But the initial report itself is confidential.
Can you see if your message is forwarded?
No. There is no way to detect if the recipient forwarded your LinkedIn message to someone else. Message forwarding is private.
Even if your message is forwarded, your read receipt will still only display for the original recipient. There are no notifications when content is forwarded to additional people.
Should you follow up on read but unanswered messages?
In most cases, yes. If your initial message requires a response, it is a good idea to follow up if it shows as read but you have not received a reply.
However, avoid pestering people who clearly ignored your non-essential message. Use good judgment based on your relationship and the nature of the message.
Following up is appropriate if your message contains an important request, question, or action item requiring a response. But let casual messages be if they go unanswered.
How to follow up on LinkedIn read but unanswered messages
Here are some tips for following up if your LinkedIn message is left on read:
- Wait at least 2 business days before following up to allow time for a response.
- Be polite in your follow-up message, never aggressive or accusatory.
- Keep your follow-up message brief and casual.
- Rephrase your original request or question for clarity.
- Add a line explaining you are just circling back in case your initial message was missed.
- Avoid sending more than two follow-up messages if you still get no reply.
- Consider also following up via phone or other channels if urgent.
Is “message seen” the same as “message read”?
On LinkedIn, “message read” and “message seen” mean the same thing. Both indicate the recipient opened the message thread and triggered the read receipt.
There is no difference between read and seen. LinkedIn uses them interchangeably to signify the message was viewed based on the thread being opened.
Why you should not overthink read receipts
Try not to obsess over the meaning of read receipts. At the end of the day, they simply indicate your message was seen by the recipient.
As the sender, avoid making too many assumptions about why it may be read but not replied to or drawing negative conclusions about the recipient. There are many valid reasons messages go unanswered.
Instead, focus on polite follow-up to get the response you need. And do not continually follow up on non-essential messages that go ignored.
Key takeaways
- LinkedIn displays “Read” on messages once the recipient opens the thread containing your message.
- Read confirmations are automatic and cannot be disabled by LinkedIn users.
- “Read” only means your message was seen, not necessarily thoroughly read or that a response will be sent.
- You cannot recall messages after sending. Only additional messages can provide clarification.
- Polite follow-up is appropriate if your unanswered message requires a response.