When using LinkedIn, you may want to view someone’s profile without them being notified. LinkedIn has privacy settings that control whether someone is alerted when you view their profile. Using LinkedIn’s private mode allows you to look at profiles without the account holder receiving an alert. However, there are some caveats to be aware of.
Does LinkedIn Notify Users When You View Their Profile?
LinkedIn does have profile viewing notifications. When someone views your profile, you can get alerts through email or notifications in the LinkedIn app. This helps users see who is looking at their profile for networking or recruitment purposes.
However, viewing a profile in private mode will prevent the account holder from being notified. Private mode essentially allows you to look anonymously without leaving a digital footprint.
How to Use LinkedIn Private Mode
Using LinkedIn’s private mode to look at profiles discretely is easy to do through the desktop site or mobile app:
On Desktop:
- Click on the “Me” icon at the top right of the LinkedIn homepage
- Select “View profile anonymously”
- This will open an incognito/private browsing window
- Search for and view any profiles without notifications being sent
On Mobile:
- Tap on your profile picture at the top of the homepage
- Tap on “Turn on private mode”
- Search and view profiles within this mode
- To turn off, go back to your profile and select “Turn off private mode”
Once you activate private browsing, you can view LinkedIn profiles just like normal without any alerts or notifications being sent to the account holder.
Limitations of LinkedIn Private Mode
While LinkedIn’s private mode allows discreet profile viewing, there are some limitations:
- You cannot send connection requests in private mode. You will need to turn it off to send requests.
- Any searches or profiles viewed will not be saved in your browsing history or personalized for you.
- You won’t be able to interact with any content. Liking, commenting, sharing, etc. is disabled.
- Advanced filters like sorting connections or viewing 2nd+ connections is not available.
So private mode allows anonymous viewing, but it limits any actual interaction with profiles and the LinkedIn platform.
Does LinkedIn Show Who Viewed Your Profile?
LinkedIn does show profile viewers under some circumstances:
- Premium Accounts: Paid Premium accounts can see the last 90 days of profile viewers. This does not include private mode views.
- Shared Connections: You’ll be notified if someone views your profile and you share a 1st level connection.
- Job Seekers: If you have an active job seeker subscription, you can see who has viewed your profile from your current company.
So having a Premium account or shared connections with someone could allow users to see when you specifically view their profile. Private mode prevents any notification in these cases as well.
Does LinkedIn Notify Connections When You View Profiles?
Your 1st level connections will not be automatically notified when you view anyone’s profile, whether it’s in private mode or not. The only potential notification is if you view one of your connection’s profiles specifically.
In summary:
- A general profile view will not notify any of your connections
- Viewing your connections’ profiles specifically may notify them
- Private mode prevents any notifications, even to your connections
So you don’t have to worry about connections being tipped off when browsing anonymously.
Can LinkedIn Admins See Your Private Browsing?
As an administrator of a LinkedIn Company or Showcase page, you do have access to analytics on profile views. However, this does not include traffic while in private browsing mode. Page admins will only see public views of their pages and profiles.
Is LinkedIn Private Mode Really Private?
Given the limitations above, LinkedIn’s private browsing mode does allow discreet viewing without notifications or records on your account. However, there are still ways someone could know you viewed them, including:
- Seeing your profile views if they have a Premium account
- Getting notified if you share connections
- Using outside analytics tools or browser extensions to track visitors
- Monitoring web traffic if they have access to server logs
So while LinkedIn won’t tip them off, someone technically savvy could detect your private browsing if they are specifically monitoring traffic to their profile. The average user won’t detect you, but it’s not 100% untraceable.
Best Practices for Private Browsing
To make the most of LinkedIn private mode while maintaining discretion:
- Avoid viewing connections’ profiles, especially if you want to remain undetected.
- Turn off private mode if you want to interact with a profile or send a request.
- Be cautious when viewing those with Premium accounts or shared connections.
- Don’t do anything in private mode you wouldn’t do publicly.
- Remember it’s not truly anonymous if someone is monitoring their own traffic.
Following these tips will allow you to use private browsing for its benefits without surprises.
Conclusion
In summary:
- LinkedIn private mode allows discreet browsing without notifications.
- There are limitations like no connections or interactions.
- Users with Premium accounts or shared connections may still detect you.
- Technically savvy users could potentially monitor their own traffic to identify you.
- Follow best practices to browse privately without causing unwanted attention.
While not completely untraceable, LinkedIn’s private mode does hide your viewing from most average users. Use it judiciously and thoughtfully within its limitations for productive anonymous browsing.
Other LinkedIn Privacy Settings
In addition to private browsing, LinkedIn also offers other privacy controls:
Profile Viewing Options
You can limit who can view your full profile. Options include:
- Your Connections
- Anyone
- Only people who don’t have LinkedIn accounts
Setting this appropriately for your needs prevents unwanted viewing.
Activity Broadcasts
By default, any profile views, likes, comments, etc. appear in your connections’ feeds. You can turn sharing off fully or selectively.
Search Engine Visibility
You can choose whether your name/profile are findable by search engines like Google. Turning this off removes you from results.
Profile Photo Visibility
The profile photo guidelines let you determine who can see your picture, if at all.
Blocked Accounts
You can block specific members from viewing your profile or contacting you on LinkedIn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can recruiters see if you viewed them in private mode?
No, recruiters do not receive notifications if you view their profile using private browsing. This allows discreet research before reaching out.
Does private mode work on the mobile app?
Yes, LinkedIn’s mobile apps for iOS and Android include the option to turn private mode on and off just like the desktop website.
Do I need a Premium account for private browsing?
No, LinkedIn private mode is available for free to all members. It does not require any paid Premium account.
Can I send InMail in private mode?
Unfortunately, you cannot send messages or InMail while in private browsing. You will need to turn it off first.
Can I view my own analytics in private mode?
No, you will not be able to view traffic analytics for your own profile or Company Pages while using private mode. Analytics require public browsing.
Is there a time limit for private browsing?
There is no time limit for private mode. You can browse anonymously for as long as you would like in one session.
Key Takeaways
– LinkedIn private mode allows anonymous profile viewing without notifications.
– Limitations include no connections, messages, or profile interactions.
– Premium users and those you share connections with may still detect you.
– Technically savvy users could potentially monitor their own traffic.
– Follow best practices to browse privately without causing unwanted attention.
– Take advantage of LinkedIn’s other privacy settings for your needs.