LinkedIn Private Mode: What They Don't Tell You About Who Can Really See Your Profile Views

Is private mode LinkedIn really your digital invisibility cloak?

LinkedIn's private mode is essentially your professional incognito superpower. When activated, it allows you to browse other users' profiles without leaving digital footprints behind. Think of it as wearing an invisibility cloak while networking - you can observe, learn, and strategize without announcing your presence.

How to make LinkedIn private?

Making LinkedIn private is surprisingly simple:

1. Click on your profile picture in the top right corner
2. Select "Settings & Privacy" from the dropdown menu
3. Navigate to the "Visibility" section
4. Find "Profile viewing options"
5. Select "Private mode"

Video instructions for LinkedIn private mode

Once enabled, your information will appear as "LinkedIn Member" or "Someone on LinkedIn" in others' "Who's viewed your profile" section, depending on your specific settings.

What private mode hides (and what it doesn't)

When you browse in private mode, LinkedIn conceals:

• Your name
• Your headline
• Your profile picture
• Your company
• Your industry

However, it's worth noting that private mode isn't a complete invisibility shield. If the person whose profile you're viewing has a Premium account, they'll still know that someone viewed their profile - they just won't know it was specifically you.

The trade-off: What you give up

The convenience of privacy comes with a cost. When you activate private mode, you also lose access to seeing who's viewed your profile. This represents LinkedIn's fair exchange philosophy: if you want to browse anonymously, you must give up the ability to see who's checking you out.

For many professionals weighing strategic advantages, this is the key decision point: Is the ability to browse privately worth giving up insights about who might be interested in your profile?

It’s OK if you have LinkedIn Premium

If you're serious about maintaining both privacy and insights, LinkedIn Premium offers the best of both worlds. Premium members can browse in private mode while still seeing who's viewed their profile. That’s right, they’re having their professional cake and eating it too.

When to make LinkedIn private - and when not to

Using private mode strategically rather than constantly often yields the best networking results. Sometimes, leaving a digital calling card by viewing someone's profile in standard mode can be the perfect subtle introduction that leads to meaningful professional connections.

When to activate private mode on LinkedIn

Job hunting while currently employed

When you're discreetly exploring new opportunities, the last thing you need is your current boss hearing you've been viewing profiles of their competitors' hiring managers. Private mode lets you research potential employers without raising eyebrows at your current workplace.

Researching competitors

Keeping tabs on industry rivals is smart business practice. Announcing your reconnaissance mission by leaving digital footprints isn't. Private mode lets you study competitor personnel, organizational structures, and recent hires without announcing your interest to the whole world.

Before negotiations or meetings

Planning to pitch a potential client or partner? Private mode lets you thoroughly research their background, interests, and connections without tipping them off that you're preparing. This gives you the element of surprise when you demonstrate your knowledge during the actual interaction.

Dealing with sensitive situations

If you're handling layoffs, reorganizations, or other delicate HR matters, browsing relevant profiles privately prevents unnecessary anxiety among team members who might otherwise speculate about why leadership is suddenly viewing their profiles.

When to show yourself

Actively networking

LinkedIn is fundamentally a networking platform. When you're trying to expand your professional circle, leaving a trace of your profile visit can actually serve as a subtle conversation starter. Many professionals follow up on profile views with connection requests or messages.

Building your personal brand

If you're establishing yourself as a thought leader or industry expert, being visible creates recognition. Regular appearances in others' "Who's viewed your profile" section keeps you top-of-mind in your professional community.

Recruitment campaigns

As a recruiter or hiring manager, letting candidates know you've viewed their profile signals interest and encourages qualified professionals to engage with your opportunities. Your visibility can actually attract talent rather than requiring you to make the first move.

After meaningful interactions

Following up a conference, meeting, or conversation by viewing someone's profile (while visible) serves as a digital handshake that reinforces the in-person connection. It shows continued interest without requiring an immediate message.

A hybrid approach to LinkedIn private mode

Many LinkedIn power users toggle between private and visible modes depending on their objectives. There's no rule that says you must choose one strategy permanently.

Consider switching to private mode for targeted research sessions, then returning to visible mode for your regular networking activities. This balanced approach lets you leverage both the strategic advantages of anonymity and the connection-building benefits of visibility.

Remember, LinkedIn's algorithm tends to favor active, visible users when suggesting connections and opportunities, so staying permanently invisible might limit your platform reach in subtle ways. Although of course, we don’t really know how the algorithm works!

Master LinkedIn private mode and become the ultimate spy

LinkedIn's private mode isn't simply a feature to toggle on and forget. It's a strategic tool in your professional networking arsenal that requires thoughtful application.

The most successful LinkedIn users understand that visibility is a currency on the platform. Sometimes you want to spend it freely, announcing your presence and interest to potential connections. Other times, you'll want to be more selective, preserving your anonymity while you gather information and plan your next career move.

Remember that LinkedIn was designed primarily to connect professionals, not to keep them hidden from each other. While private mode has its place, don't underestimate the serendipitous opportunities that can arise from being visible at the right moment. That recruiter who noticed you viewed their profile might just have the perfect position you didn't even know existed.

Happy networking!

P.S. If you want to know how to make more sales from LinkedIn, check out our LinkedIn training options.