LinkedIn’s green dot is an indicator that shows when a user is active on the platform. When a green dot appears next to someone’s profile picture, it means they are currently online and available for messaging or connecting.
What does the green dot signify?
The green dot indicates that the LinkedIn user is currently active on the platform. It shows up when a user is browsing LinkedIn, looking at profiles, posting updates, messaging connections, or using any other LinkedIn features. Essentially, it signals that they are live on LinkedIn at that moment.
Some key things to know about the green dot:
- It appears when a user is active on the LinkedIn website or mobile app.
- It typically stays on for a few minutes after a user’s last activity.
- You can only see it next to connections in your network.
- It shows your connections when you are active as well.
So in summary, the green dot simply indicates current, real-time activity on LinkedIn. It’s a visual cue that the user is presently online and engaged with the platform.
Why does LinkedIn have a green dot?
LinkedIn introduced the green dot feature to make its platform more interactive. Here are some of the main reasons why it displays user activity status:
- Facilitate engagement – The green dot makes it easier for connections to see who is currently online, encouraging users to reach out and connect in real-time.
- Enhance messaging – Knowing someone is active on LinkedIn allows users to message connections without having to wait for a response.
- Showcase activity – Active users stand out with the green dot, indicating they are engaged members of the community.
- Spot opportunities – The green dot allows users to identify connections to potentially connect with for business purposes.
Essentially, LinkedIn added the online status indicator to create more opportunities for users to interact, message, connect, and build relationships through the platform.
How long does the green dot stay active?
The LinkedIn green dot remains visible for a short period after a user is actively using the platform. Here are some details on how long it stays active:
- It appears immediately when a user is active on LinkedIn.
- It remains visible for around 10-15 minutes after the last activity.
- If the user minimizes the LinkedIn tab but doesn’t close it, the dot will remain.
- Once fully inactive for around 15 minutes, the green dot disappears.
So while the green dot indicates real-time activity, it does stay on for a grace period after the user has stopped engaging on LinkedIn. This prevents it from turning on and off too frequently and gives connections a better idea of recent activity.
Who can see your green dot status?
Your online status is not public on LinkedIn. Instead, it is only visible to your direct connections:
- 1st-degree connections in your network see when you have the green dot.
- 2nd and 3rd-degree connections do not see your status indicator.
- Strangers and non-connections cannot see your green dot.
- You have to be connected to someone to view their real-time status.
Therefore, the green dot is a way to show availability and activity specifically to your own personal network on LinkedIn.
Can you turn the green dot off?
Currently, there is no setting to disable the green dot indicator on LinkedIn. As soon as you visit LinkedIn while logged in, the green dot automatically appears to signify you are online and active.
While some users may prefer not to broadcast their real-time status, the green dot is designed to facilitate engagement on LinkedIn. There are a few options if you want to be less visible:
- Use LinkedIn anonymously through a private browser window.
- Access LinkedIn’s mobile app in offline mode.
- Check profiles quickly without engaging on the platform.
However, keep in mind the green dot will always appear when actively using LinkedIn while connected to your account. There is no permanent way to remove it as of now.
What does a grey, blank, or no dot mean?
While the green dot indicates active status, you may also notice grey, blank, or no dots on some LinkedIn profiles:
- Grey dot – This means the user has LinkedIn open on their desktop/mobile but is not actively using it.
- No dot – No dot means the user is currently offline and inactive on LinkedIn.
- Blank space – A blank space in place of the dot indicates the profile owner is not a connection.
So if you do not see a green dot next to a connection’s name, it simply means they are not currently active on the platform. The green dot will pop up the next time they visit LinkedIn while logged into their account.
Pro tips for using the green dot
Here are some tips to use the LinkedIn green dot effectively:
- Check for the green dot before messaging connections to see if they are online.
- Look for active profiles when you need a quick response or are available for a chat.
- Time your LinkedIn activity for when certain connections are online.
- Avoid messaging contacts showing grey or no dot unless urgent.
- Remember the dot stays visible for ~15 minutes after going inactive.
Keep an eye out for the green dot during your LinkedIn browsing to take advantage of real-time interaction with your professional network!
Conclusion
The LinkedIn green dot is a simple but powerful feature that facilitates better communication and engagement on the platform. When you see the green dot, it signals a connection is live on LinkedIn at that very moment.
While simple, the status indicator creates opportunities to interact in real-time with your network. It allows you to join discussions, send messages, and make connections on LinkedIn when users are most receptive. So keep the green dot in mind next time you want to reach out and engage with your professional community!
