LinkedIn is one of the most powerful platforms for networking, job searching, and building professional relationships. But sometimes, you may want to browse LinkedIn without revealing your identity. That’s where LinkedIn Private Mode comes in. This feature allows you to view profiles anonymously, making it perfect for recruiters, job seekers, or anyone who values privacy. In this guide, we’ll explore everything about LinkedIn Private Mode, how to enable it, its benefits, and whether others can still see you when you use it.
What Is LinkedIn Private Mode?
LinkedIn Private Mode is a feature that allows you to browse other LinkedIn profiles without revealing your name or profile details. When you visit someone’s profile with Private Mode enabled, they will see a notification that “Someone viewed your profile” instead of your actual name and profile information.
This is useful for professionals who want to research competitors, recruiters who want to check out potential candidates, or job seekers who wish to explore opportunities without alerting employers. Whether you’re using a free or premium LinkedIn account, Private Mode gives you more control over your visibility.
Why Should You Use LinkedIn Private Mode?
There are many reasons why professionals prefer to use LinkedIn Private Mode:
- To research competitors without them knowing.
- To search for job opportunities privately without alerting recruiters.
- To browse LinkedIn profiles discreetly without sending notifications.
- To explore industry trends and insights without being identified.
If you value privacy and want to keep your LinkedIn activity discreet, this feature can be incredibly useful.
Job Searching Secretly
If you’re currently employed but looking for a new job, LinkedIn Private Mode helps you search for new opportunities without alerting your employer or colleagues. When recruiters view your profile, they won’t know that you were also viewing theirs.
Many recruiters check the profiles of potential candidates, and if they see that you’ve viewed their profile, they might assume you’re interested. But if you prefer to keep things private until you make a decision, Private Mode is a great solution.
Checking Competitor Profiles
If you’re a business owner, marketer, or job seeker, you may want to check out competitors’ profiles to see what skills they have, what jobs they’ve had, or how they position themselves. Using Private Mode, you can do this without them knowing.
Competitor research is a common strategy in many industries, and LinkedIn provides valuable insights into professionals’ career paths, job titles, and skills. However, if you don’t want your competitors to know you’re checking their profiles, Private Mode keeps your identity hidden.
Viewing Profiles Without Alerting Anyone
Sometimes, you might land on a LinkedIn profile by accident or out of curiosity. Maybe you clicked on the wrong profile while searching for someone else. Without Private Mode, the person gets a notification that you viewed their profile.
With LinkedIn Private Mode, you can avoid awkward situations and browse profiles freely without worrying about sending alerts.
How to Turn On LinkedIn Private Mode (Step-by-Step Guide)
Enabling LinkedIn Private Mode is simple. Follow these steps:
- Log in to your LinkedIn account.
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” from the dropdown menu.
- Click on the “Visibility” tab.
- Find the section “Profile viewing options” and click on it.
- Choose “Private Mode” from the available options.
Once enabled, you can browse profiles without revealing your name or profile details.
Can People See You in LinkedIn Private Mode?
No, when you use LinkedIn Private Mode, the people whose profiles you view won’t see your name, job title, or company. Instead, they will see a notification saying “Someone viewed your profile” or “LinkedIn Member” without any identifying details.
However, keep in mind that when you enable Private Mode, you also lose access to the list of people who have viewed your profile. If you want to see who viewed your profile, you’ll need to disable Private Mode.
Does LinkedIn Private Mode Work on Free Accounts?
Yes, LinkedIn Private Mode is available for both free and premium LinkedIn accounts. However, free account users face a limitation—when they turn on Private Mode, they won’t be able to see who viewed their own profile.
If you have LinkedIn Premium, you can still access some insights about who visited your profile, even in Private Mode.
Will LinkedIn Notify Someone If You View Their Profile in Private Mode?
No, when you use LinkedIn Private Mode, LinkedIn does not notify the person whose profile you viewed. Instead, they will only see that an anonymous user visited their profile.
However, if you switch back to public mode, your past profile views will not become visible retroactively.
Can You See Who Viewed Your Profile in Private Mode?
No, once Private Mode is enabled, you will lose access to the “Who Viewed Your Profile” section. This means that you cannot see who has visited your profile, even if they viewed it publicly.
If you want to see who viewed your profile, you must turn off Private Mode.
How to Turn Off LinkedIn Private Mode?
To disable LinkedIn Private Mode, follow these steps:
- Log in to your LinkedIn account.
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” from the menu.
- Click on “Visibility”.
- Find “Profile viewing options” and click on it.
- Select “Your name and headline” to return to public mode.
Once you turn off Private Mode, others will be able to see your profile when you visit them again.
Does LinkedIn Private Mode Work on Free Accounts?
Yes, LinkedIn Private Mode works on both free and premium accounts. The only difference is that LinkedIn Premium users get more insights into who viewed their profile, even in Private Mode.
Free users, on the other hand, lose access to profile viewer data as long as Private Mode is enabled.
Thoughts on LinkedIn Private Mode
LinkedIn Private Mode is a great tool for maintaining privacy while browsing profiles. Whether you’re a job seeker, recruiter, business owner, or just someone who values discretion, this feature gives you control over your visibility. However, if you rely on knowing who viewed your profile, you may want to use it sparingly.
The Bottom Line
LinkedIn is all about networking, but sometimes you need a little privacy. LinkedIn Private Mode allows you to browse profiles discreetly without alerting others. While it comes with some trade-offs—like losing access to who viewed your profile—it’s a valuable tool for those who prefer anonymity.
Whether you’re job searching, researching competitors, or just curious about industry professionals, LinkedIn Private Mode helps you stay under the radar. If privacy matters to you, consider turning it on and browsing with confidence.
