Having a locked LinkedIn profile is becoming increasingly common, but what exactly does it mean when someone locks their profile on the professional networking platform? There are a few key things to understand about locked LinkedIn profiles.
LinkedIn Profile Privacy Settings
On LinkedIn, members can adjust their privacy settings to control what parts of their profile are visible to others. This allows users to limit who can view certain profile sections, such as their list of connections, endorsements, interests, posts, etc. Locking a profile is the most restrictive privacy setting on LinkedIn.
Public Profiles
By default, LinkedIn profiles are public. This means anyone can view your profile, even if they aren’t connected to you on LinkedIn. Public profiles allow you to be discovered by recruiters, clients, business partners, and others who may find your professional background helpful.
Private Profiles
LinkedIn members can opt to make their profiles private rather than public. Private profiles mean your profile information and activity will only be visible to your 1st-degree connections on LinkedIn.
Locked Profiles
Locked profiles take privacy a step further than private profiles. Locking your profile means no one can see any of your profile or activity – not even your connections. The only visible element of a locked profile is your name and photo (if you have one added).
Why People Lock LinkedIn Profiles
There are a few common reasons why someone may decide to lock their LinkedIn profile:
Job Search Privacy
If someone is actively searching for a new job opportunity, they may lock their profile to avoid signaling to their current employer that they are looking. This allows them to network and apply to jobs in private without jeopardizing their current role.
Limit Solicitations
Since public profiles can be viewed by anyone, they may receive unsolicited outreach like recruiting pitches, sales inquiries, business proposals, etc. Locking the profile limits this type of outreach.
Manage Existing Connections
Some people may lock their profile to prevent existing connections from accessing their full profile and activity. This allows them to prune their connections without having to actually remove or block people.
Temporary Break from LinkedIn
If someone wants to take a break from LinkedIn without deactivating their account, locking the profile is a simple way to temporarily remove yourself without losing connections or information.
Personal Preference for Privacy
Some members simply prefer to keep their professional profile and activity completely private as a personal preference, so they lock it down.
Signs That a LinkedIn Profile Is Locked
How can you tell if someone has locked their LinkedIn profile? Here are some signs:
- Visiting their profile will show a default background photo rather than their own photo
- You will only see their name and photo if they have one added
- Any other profile sections will just say “Private member – this member’s information is hidden”
- Newsfeed posts and activity are hidden with “Private member activity”
- Their list of connections is not visible
- Recommendations, accomplishments, interests, and other profile sections are not visible
What You Can See on a Locked Profile
Since locked profiles obscure so much information, what can you actually see if you are viewing someone’s locked LinkedIn profile?
Photo
If the member has added a profile photo, their photo will be visible. This allows you to confirm you are viewing the correct member.
Name
You can see the full name listed on the account.
Occupation
If the member filled out their current position, you may be able to view their current job title and company.
Profile Headline
If they have added a customized profile headline, this slogan-like text will appear under their name.
Location
You can see the metro area and country/region listed on their profile.
Connections in Common
If you share any connections, it will display how many you have in common but not who those connections are.
Unlocking a LinkedIn Profile
Members can unlock their profile by adjusting their privacy settings at any time. Simply go to your LinkedIn account settings and change your profile visibility to allow your profile to be viewed by the desired audience (public, connections only, etc). Unlocking it will make all sections visible again.
Summary
In summary, here is what to know about locked LinkedIn profiles:
- Locking a profile hides all information from everyone except your name and photo
- Common reasons for locking include job searching, limiting solicitations, taking a break from LinkedIn, and valuing privacy
- Locked profiles only display default backgrounds, name, photo, occupation, headline, and location
- Members can unlock their profile by updating their privacy settings
So in general, a locked LinkedIn profile signals that someone desires their professional profile and activity to be completely private and hidden from others.