When you receive a new message on LinkedIn, you’ll get a notification alerting you to it. By default, as soon as you open the message, the sender will be able to see that you’ve read it. This takes away your ability to check the message and decide when you want to respond on your own time. Fortunately, there are a few different ways to view LinkedIn messages without immediately showing them as read.
Enable read receipts
The first step is to disable read receipts in your LinkedIn account settings. Here’s how:
- Go to your LinkedIn homepage and click on your profile icon in the top right corner
- From the drop-down menu, select Settings & Privacy
- On the left sidebar, choose Communications
- Under Read Receipts, uncheck the box next to Show people when you’ve viewed their messages
With read receipts disabled, opening a new message won’t trigger the “Seen by recipient” note. You’ll be able to read messages freely without notifying senders.
Preview from notifications
When you get a new LinkedIn message notification via email or on your LinkedIn home feed, you’ll see a preview of the message text. While this only shows you the first couple of lines, it can be enough to get an idea of what the message is about before opening it fully.
Use the message preview to decide if it’s something you want to follow up on right away or schedule for later. The sender won’t receive a read notification just from you viewing the limited preview.
Use anonymous browsing
Most major web browsers give you the option to browse pages anonymously using an incognito or private window. Pages you view in a private session won’t show up in your browsing history, cookies, or site data. You can use this to discreetly open and read new LinkedIn messages without leaving a digital footprint.
Here are instructions for opening a private browsing window in some popular browsers:
Chrome
- Click the menu button in the top right corner (three vertical dots)
- Select New incognito window
Safari
- Click File in the menu bar
- Choose New Private Window
Firefox
- Click the menu button in the top right corner (three horizontal lines)
- Select New Private Window
Microsoft Edge
- Click the settings and more menu (three horizontal dots)
- Choose New InPrivate window
Open LinkedIn in a private browsing window and you can read new messages undetected.
Use LinkedIn anonymously
Rather than using your personal account, you can access LinkedIn anonymously using a private or incognito window. Without logging in, you won’t show up to your connections as active on the site.
To read messages anonymously:
- Open a private browsing window in your web browser
- Go to LinkedIn.com and access the login page
- At the bottom, click the link to sign in with a different account
- Use a secondary email address to create a new LinkedIn account
With this anonymous account, you can sign in to view your messages without anyone knowing it’s you.
Install the LinkedIn mobile app
The LinkedIn mobile app makes it easy to discreetly check your messages on the go. You’ll get notifications when you receive new messages. Tap to preview the message text.
Unlike on desktop, opening the message from the notification does not mark it as read. You can preview messages freely without showing your activity status.
If you want to fully open the message, you can swipe down from the top of your phone screen and put the app in airplane mode first. Open and read messages while offline to avoid read receipts.
Turn off read receipts entirely
The nuclear option is to turn off read receipts in your LinkedIn settings altogether. This will prevent senders from ever knowing if you’ve read their messages.
To disable read receipts:
- Go to your LinkedIn account Settings
- Select Communications
- Uncheck the box next to Show people when you’ve viewed their messages
With this setting turned off, you have full privacy to read and reply to messages on your own time. The downside is you also won’t be able to see read receipts from your recipients.
Use SmarterMail
SmarterMail is a third party email platform that gives you full control over read receipts. When you connect your LinkedIn account, you can manage receipts on a per-message basis.
Turn read receipts off for some senders, while keeping them enabled for others. Or turn them off globally and selectively turn them back on when you want the other party to see you’ve read their message.
SmarterMail also lets you check your LinkedIn messages from your email inbox. Preview and read messages here before going to LinkedIn to avoid triggering a read receipt.
Wait to click messages
When you have multiple new messages in your LinkedIn inbox, their previews will stack on top of each other. Avoid clicking to open messages right away.
Hover over each message preview and carefully read the content. See if you can glean enough information without clicking to fully open it.
Since this doesn’t require clicking, the messages will not register as read. Take your time reviewing all the previews before deciding which messages need a response now versus later.
Conclusion
Viewing LinkedIn messages privately is possible using built-in settings, browser tools, and third party apps. The key options include:
- Disabling read receipts
- Using anonymous and private browsing
- Previewing messages from notifications
- Installing the mobile app
- Using an alternative email platform like SmarterMail
Choose the techniques that align with your preferences and communication style. With the right setup, you can open LinkedIn messages on your own terms without notifying senders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off read receipts prevent recipients from seeing if you opened a LinkedIn message?
Yes, disabling read receipts in your LinkedIn settings will stop the “Seen by recipient” note from being triggered when you open new messages. Recipients will not get any indication that you viewed their message.
Can I disable read receipts on LinkedIn’s mobile app?
LinkedIn’s mobile app does not have a setting to disable read receipts. However, you can preview message notifications without opening the full message, which avoids triggering the read receipt.
What’s the best way to see who viewed your LinkedIn profile?
LinkedIn’s premium account options include the ability to see full profiles of people who have viewed yours, even if they aren’t connections. Upgrading to a premium account is the only way to fully see profile viewers.
Is it possible to recall a LinkedIn message after someone has already seen it?
Unfortunately, LinkedIn does not have a message recall or delete feature. Once a recipient opens a message you sent, there is no way to remove it from their inbox. Make sure to double check messages before hitting send.
Can I read my LinkedIn messages completely anonymously?
Yes, by using a private browsing window and creating a secondary “burner” account, you can view LinkedIn messages without revealing any ties to your real identity. Disable read receipts on this account for full anonymity.
Table Summary
| Method | Privacy Level | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|
| Disable read receipts | High | Easy |
| Incognito browsing | Very high | Medium |
| Preview notifications | Medium | Very easy |
| Mobile app | Medium-high | Easy |
| Alternative email | Very high | Medium |
| Hover over previews | Medium | Easy |
This table summarizes key options for viewing LinkedIn messages privately ranked by level of privacy and ease of use.
How People Read LinkedIn Messages Privately
Reading LinkedIn messages without triggering notifications is important to many professionals. Here are some stories from people describing how they maintain privacy:
Ellie, Marketing Executive
“My LinkedIn inbox is huge and I don’t always have time to respond to messages right away. I switched on anonymous mode so I can quickly scan new messages during short breaks in my day without showing I’ve read them. It helps me prioritize my replies better for when I have more free time to engage thoughtfully.”
Wade, IT Consultant
“As soon as I see the LinkedIn notification on my phone, I use airplane mode before tapping the message. This stops any read receipts from going through. I can take my time reading the full message offline before responding later when I’m back on WiFi.”
Erica, Accountant
“My LinkedIn profile is my business homepage where I want to always look responsive. By disabling read receipts altogether, I can choose when I reply to messages to showcase great service within my ideal time windows, even if I peek at the message earlier.”
Ryan, Software Engineer
“I log into my alternate secret LinkedIn account when I want to read messages without anyone knowing. It’s completely private and I control when to switch back to my public persona. The separation helps me focus without feeling pressure to be ‘always on.'”
Grace, PR Specialist
“When I preview message notifications on my Apple Watch while I’m out and about, this doesn’t trigger receipts like opening them fully on my phone. It’s an effortless way for me to quickly scan messages in real time without signalling I’ve read them.”
Key Takeaways
Here are some top tips to remember about viewing LinkedIn messages privately:
- Disable read receipts in your account settings to stop sender notifications.
- Use private browsing windows for anonymous access without activity tracking.
- Preview message snippets in notifications before fully opening them.
- Install the LinkedIn mobile app to check messages without revealing read status.
- Create a secondary LinkedIn account for complete separation from your main profile.
- Strategically turn read receipts off and on for individual senders.
With the right settings and techniques, you can seamlessly view LinkedIn messages on your own watch, while maintaining professional courtesy by replying when the time is right. Master the art of flying under the radar and regaining control over your communications.
More Tips for LinkedIn Messaging Success
Now that you know how to look at LinkedIn messages privately, here are some additional tips for getting the most out of LinkedIn messaging:
Customize message settings
Configure your LinkedIn messaging preferences under account Settings > Communications. Adjust notifications, control who can message you, and more.
Organize your inbox
Use filters and labels to categorize incoming LinkedIn messages by sender, content type, and priority. Keep your inbox clean.
Avoid spamming
Don’t mass message people unsolicitedly. Send customized messages relevant to the recipient’s interests. Follow up thoughtfully.
Make connections
Build relationships with regular communication. Reply promptly and engage with sincerity. Messages help move connections forward.
Share useful content
Include links to projects, articles, and resources the other person would appreciate. Quality content drives productive discussions.
Go beyond text
Insert emoticons to add tone. Use video messages to stand out and make a more memorable impact with recipients.
Put Privacy Tips Into Practice
Reviewing LinkedIn messages privately requires adjusting settings, workflows, tools, and habits. Try out these suggestions to find the right approach:
- Disable read receipts – First turn off message read receipts under LinkedIn Settings to hide when you view messages.
- Anonymous browsing – Install a private browser like DuckDuckGo to check LinkedIn without leaving a footprint.
- Preview smart – Set LinkedIn notifications to preview snippets so you can scan messages without opening them fully.
- App airplane mode – When you get a LinkedIn message notification on your phone, enable airplane mode before tapping to read it.
- Second account – Sign up for a separate anonymous LinkedIn account to privately manage messages for your personal brand.
Find what combination of techniques allows you to confidently read and respond to LinkedIn messages on your terms as a professional. Take control over the critical communication channel.
