What does the green dot mean on LinkedIn?
The green dot on LinkedIn indicates when another user is active on the platform. Specifically, it shows when someone is currently browsing LinkedIn on desktop or mobile. Some key things to know about the LinkedIn green dot:
– It appears next to a user’s name or profile photo when they are actively using LinkedIn at that moment.
– It shows up on profiles, messaging screens, notifications, and other places across LinkedIn’s interface.
– The green dot signifies the user has had some type of interaction with LinkedIn in the past 5 minutes. This could be scrolling through feeds, messaging contacts, updating their profile, searching for jobs, posting content, etc.
– Once the user stops taking actions on LinkedIn, the green dot will disappear after 5 minutes of inactivity.
– It updates in real time, so you can see when contacts come online and go offline on LinkedIn.
– It does not necessarily mean the user is actively engaged with your particular profile or content. The green dot indicates activity anywhere on LinkedIn.
So in summary, the green dot simply means the user is currently active on the LinkedIn platform in some capacity. It gives an indication of when your connections are presently using LinkedIn which can be helpful context for reaching out to engage with them.
Who can see your green dot activity status?
Your LinkedIn connections can see when you have a green dot showing you are active on LinkedIn. This includes 1st-degree connections as well as 2nd and 3rd-degree connections.
Essentially anyone in your extended network on LinkedIn will be able to see when you have the green dot illuminated next to your name and profile photo.
However, there are some limits to who can see your active status:
– People who are not logged into LinkedIn will not see the green dot next to your profile.
– People who are not in your LinkedIn network (no 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree connections) will not see your active status.
– You can limit your connections’ ability to see when you are active through your privacy settings. This prevents the green dot from displaying to your network.
So while the green dot is visible to much of your extended network by default, you do have some control to limit its visibility if desired. The green dot will not show for inactive or logged out LinkedIn users.
How to turn off the green dot activity indicator
If you prefer not to display when you are actively using LinkedIn, there are steps to turn off the green dot indicator:
1. Click on the “Me” icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage and select “Settings & Privacy” from the dropdown menu.
2. Click on the “Privacy” tab shown on the left side of the page.
3. Under the “Profile viewing options” section, there is a setting called “Show my network when I’m active.” Uncheck this box.
4. Scroll down and click “Save” to confirm the new setting.
Once you toggle this off, the green dot will no longer show next to your name and profile picture when you are active on LinkedIn. Other users in your network will not see your real-time activity status.
As an alternative, you can also change the setting to only show when you are active to your 1st degree connections. Or select for it to be visible to 2nd and 3rd degree connections as well. But fully turning it off will prevent the green dot from displaying to any connections.
The green dot is on by default, so you need to actively update these settings if you want to stop displaying your activity indicator on LinkedIn.
Pros of displaying your active status
Here are some potential benefits to keeping the green dot turned on:
– Shows when you are presently on LinkedIn to network. Others may be more inclined to reach out knowing you are online.
– Helps improve your visibility and engagement on the platform.
– Lets connections know the optimal times to message you when you are active in real time.
– Displays your level of activity on LinkedIn which can positively reflect on your brand.
– Enables networking opportunities by alerting contacts when you are available to connect.
– Provides context to the level of responsiveness others can expect (i.e. replying faster when actively online).
Overall, displaying your active status can help boost your LinkedIn presence and networking. It signals when you are available for outreach and online engagement.
Cons of displaying your active status
Here are some potential drawbacks to leaving the green dot turned on:
– Can feel intrusive or like you are being monitored while using LinkedIn.
– Broadly broadcasts when you are browsing LinkedIn which some users may find invasive.
– Having it on constantly makes some people feel obligated to always engage when active.
– Could be distracting if you receive an influx of messages every time you are on LinkedIn.
– Feels pressuring or discouraging if others don’t respond promptly to you when they show as active.
– Removes some privacy around when you choose to use LinkedIn during workday or personal time.
– Can create unrealistic expectations for real-time responsiveness from your network.
Ultimately, having the green dot visible may feel like an invasion of boundaries or disruptive for some LinkedIn users. It removes a degree of privacy around when you are actively browsing and engaging on the platform.
Conclusion
The LinkedIn green dot is an optional status indicator you can toggle on or off depending on your preferences. Having it turned on allows your network to see when you are active on LinkedIn in real time. While some find this beneficial for networking, others may view it as intrusive. Consider both the pros and cons to decide if displaying your active status aligns with how you want to manage your LinkedIn presence and connections. With the green dot’s visibility controllable in your settings, you can choose the option that’s right for your needs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Shows when you are active to network | – Can feel intrusive |
| – Improves visibility and engagement | – Broadly broadcasts when you are browsing |
| – Lets others know when to message you | – Creates pressure to be “always on” |
| – Displays your activity level | – Can be distracting if get more messages |
| – Enables networking opportunities | – Removes some privacy |
| – Provides context on responsiveness | – Expects real-time replies |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the green dot mean someone is viewing my LinkedIn profile?
No, the green dot only indicates another user is active on LinkedIn in general – not necessarily viewing your specific profile. They may be browsing other content or messaging other contacts.
How long does the green dot stay active for?
The green dot remains illuminated for 5 minutes after a user’s last action on LinkedIn before disappearing. This means it reflects real-time activity over the past 5 minutes.
Can I hide my active status from employers or co-workers?
Yes, through your privacy settings you can customize who can view your green dot indicator. You can hide it from your company, specific connections, or your entire network.
Is my activity hidden if I’m invisible on LinkedIn?
No, going invisible only removes your online presence and recent profile views from others. But the green dot will still indicate when you are active if you have left that setting on.
Can I see who has been looking at my profile with the green dot?
No, the green dot shows live activity but does not indicate who has been viewing your profile – only that they are active on LinkedIn. Profile view tracking is separate.
