When you send a message to someone on LinkedIn, you may notice a check mark appearing next to the message. This check mark indicates that your message has been read by the recipient. But what exactly does this check mark signify and how does it work on LinkedIn?
What the Check Mark Means
The check mark on LinkedIn messages means that the recipient has opened and read your message. It appears once the recipient opens the message thread that contains your message. This provides confirmation that your message has been seen.
However, it’s important to note that the check mark does not necessarily mean the recipient thoroughly read your entire message. They may have only skimmed it or opened it accidentally. The check mark simply confirms they opened the message thread and accessed your message in some capacity.
When the Check Mark Appears
The check mark will appear immediately after the recipient opens the message thread containing your message. There is no delay on the check mark appearing once they open the thread.
In some cases, you may even see the check mark before the recipient has responded. This indicates they opened your message but have not yet replied back.
The check mark also remains permanently once it appears. If the recipient opens the message thread multiple times, the check mark will not disappear or change. It stays to confirm your message was opened at least once.
Limitations of the Check Mark
While the check mark provides useful delivery confirmation, there are some limitations to consider:
- It only confirms the message thread was opened, not necessarily the entire message read.
- The recipient could accidentally trigger the check mark without reading the message by opening the thread.
- It does not indicate how long the recipient spent reading or what they did after opening it.
- On the mobile app, the check mark displays when the push notification is tapped, not necessarily the message opened.
How to Use the Check Mark
Here are some tips on making use of the check mark feature:
- Follow up if you don’t receive a check mark on an important message. The recipient may have not seen your message.
- Don’t assume a check mark means your entire message was thoroughly read. Recipients may only skim messages.
- Check your sent messages if you are expecting a reply but have not received one. The check mark can inform you if your message was opened.
- A check mark removes doubt on whether your message was delivered properly and accessed.
Why Some Messages Don’t Get a Check Mark
In some cases, your LinkedIn messages may not receive a check mark at all. There are a few reasons why this can happen:
- The recipient has not opened or read the message yet. The check mark only appears after they open the thread.
- You have messaged a LinkedIn member outside your network. LinkedIn only provides read receipts for messages between connected members.
- The recipient has turned off read receipts in their LinkedIn settings. Individual members can disable check marks.
- There is a technical issue preventing the check mark from appearing correctly.
If an important message does not have a check mark after a reasonable time period, it may be wise to follow up with the recipient to confirm they received your message.
Read Receipts vs. Check Marks on Other Platforms
LinkedIn’s check mark system provides read receipts similar to other messaging platforms. Here is how it compares:
| Platform | Read Receipt Name | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Check mark | Solid blue check mark | |
| Read receipts | Solid double check marks | |
| Facebook Messenger | Read receipts | Filled-in circle |
| iMessage | Read receipts | Text under message turns from delivered to read |
The exact visual appearance differs, but the basic meaning remains the same. The platform indicates when the recipient has opened the message thread and read your message.
Turning Off Read Receipts
As a message recipient, you have the option to turn off read receipts and prevent check marks from being sent. To do this on LinkedIn:
- Go to your account settings
- Select “Communications”
- Under “Read receipts”, uncheck the box next to “Let others know when you’ve read their messages”
With read receipts disabled, your messages will no longer trigger check marks for the sender to see. You can still see check marks on messages you receive normally.
Conclusion
The check mark on LinkedIn provides a useful delivery confirmation that your message was opened. However, it has limitations and does not necessarily mean your full message was thoroughly read. Use the check mark as one data point on whether your message reached the recipient and follow up accordingly if you do not receive a check mark.
Overall, the check mark feature creates more transparency and takes some uncertainty out of messaging on LinkedIn. Just be aware of its limitations and don’t rely on it exclusively to gauge messaging success.
Utilize the check mark along with other signals like replies, profile views and relationship strength to better understand the impact of your messages. With the right context, it can help improve your LinkedIn messaging and relationship building.
LinkedIn messaging is an important channel for building connections and generating opportunities. Use check marks strategically as part of your overall toolkit to build relationships and boost response rates.
Along with helpful features like check marks, LinkedIn provides a powerful platform to reach the right people. Make the most of its messaging capabilities as you expand your network and move important conversations forward.