LinkedIn private mode: What it is and when to use it
Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2024 8:25 am
Letting someone know you’ve seen them on LinkedIn has many benefits, but sometimes you may need to turn on that ninja mode.
Luckily, LinkedIn also allows turning on a Private mode so you can research some leads privately before letting them know you’re interested in them.
In this guide, we’ll tell you all about LinkedIn’s private modes and how to use them correctly.
LinkedIn’s viewing modes
There are three main modes in which you can view other profiles. Public, semi-private, and private.
These viewing modes allow users to control how they appear to others when viewing profiles and are primarily designed to balance privacy concerns with professional networking needs.
Choosing the appropriate viewing mode depends on your networking goals and preferences for privacy.
Public mode is generally used when you want to openly network and engage with others, while private and anonymous modes are suitable for more discreet or exploratory profile viewing.
LinkedIn public mode
By keeping your viewing mode public, viewers will be able to see exactly who visited their profile and may be notified too.
Your LinkedIn profile characteristics, such as industry and title, may also be visible to them.
When you select public mode you can also choose what information will be visible, like your last name (ex. Jane Doe or Jane D.)
These are the other details you can edit in your public profile visibility:
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Access this in Settings → Visibility → Edit your public profile.
Visiting profiles in public mode offers several benefits too, such as:
Increase your visibility when your viewers receive a notification that you viewed their profile
Initiate contact without directly sending a message out of the blue
Show active interest in their background or professional updates
Demonstrate transparency to build stronger relationships
Showcase active engagement
With lemlist, you can include a profile visit as a step in your sequence!
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LinkedIn semi-private mode
This mode is also called “private profile characteristics”.
None of your personal information will be revealed, but the viewer will be able to see your job title and industry.
This is particularly useful when you are dentist phone number list researching specific profiles for your company, but you don’t really want your personal information to be revealed, nor do you want to be contacted.
Other situations where LinkedIn’s semi-private mode can be beneficial are:
Networking with new connections without revealing your full identity
Discretely gathering information when looking for a new job
Conducting competitive analysis
Researching market trends without alerting the owner your specific interest
Semi-private mode strikes a balance between anonymity and providing enough information to facilitate meaningful networking and research activities on the platform.
LinkedIn private mode
When you choose this mode, LinkedIn will not reveal any information about you to the person whose profile you viewed.
They will only see that an anonymous LinkedIn member viewed their profile.
This mode can be very useful and your best ally in the research process.
Essentially, you will be able to visit the profiles you need without leaving your fingerprints behind.
When to use LinkedIn private mode
LinkedIn’s private mode can be very beneficial in many scenarios when you wish to maintain your privacy.
However, we do not recommend sticking to the private mode permanently, as the main goal on LinkedIn should be to grow your network and build relationships. Therefore making your name be seen is important.
So, when should you be using private mode on your profile?
Researching competitors
Businesses can get very competitive and staying ahead of the curve is crucial so that your business is relevant in your industry.
This requires a bit of research to know what your competitors are doing, and check how it compares to your own business.
Now, don’t get ahead of yourselves, we’re not implying you should copy your competitors’ work! But it is useful to know what their clients like about them and what they don’t so you can also set strategies to make adjustments to your own business.
Luckily, LinkedIn also allows turning on a Private mode so you can research some leads privately before letting them know you’re interested in them.
In this guide, we’ll tell you all about LinkedIn’s private modes and how to use them correctly.
LinkedIn’s viewing modes
There are three main modes in which you can view other profiles. Public, semi-private, and private.
These viewing modes allow users to control how they appear to others when viewing profiles and are primarily designed to balance privacy concerns with professional networking needs.
Choosing the appropriate viewing mode depends on your networking goals and preferences for privacy.
Public mode is generally used when you want to openly network and engage with others, while private and anonymous modes are suitable for more discreet or exploratory profile viewing.
LinkedIn public mode
By keeping your viewing mode public, viewers will be able to see exactly who visited their profile and may be notified too.
Your LinkedIn profile characteristics, such as industry and title, may also be visible to them.
When you select public mode you can also choose what information will be visible, like your last name (ex. Jane Doe or Jane D.)
These are the other details you can edit in your public profile visibility:
__wf_reserved_inherit
Access this in Settings → Visibility → Edit your public profile.
Visiting profiles in public mode offers several benefits too, such as:
Increase your visibility when your viewers receive a notification that you viewed their profile
Initiate contact without directly sending a message out of the blue
Show active interest in their background or professional updates
Demonstrate transparency to build stronger relationships
Showcase active engagement
With lemlist, you can include a profile visit as a step in your sequence!
__wf_reserved_inherit
LinkedIn semi-private mode
This mode is also called “private profile characteristics”.
None of your personal information will be revealed, but the viewer will be able to see your job title and industry.
This is particularly useful when you are dentist phone number list researching specific profiles for your company, but you don’t really want your personal information to be revealed, nor do you want to be contacted.
Other situations where LinkedIn’s semi-private mode can be beneficial are:
Networking with new connections without revealing your full identity
Discretely gathering information when looking for a new job
Conducting competitive analysis
Researching market trends without alerting the owner your specific interest
Semi-private mode strikes a balance between anonymity and providing enough information to facilitate meaningful networking and research activities on the platform.
LinkedIn private mode
When you choose this mode, LinkedIn will not reveal any information about you to the person whose profile you viewed.
They will only see that an anonymous LinkedIn member viewed their profile.
This mode can be very useful and your best ally in the research process.
Essentially, you will be able to visit the profiles you need without leaving your fingerprints behind.
When to use LinkedIn private mode
LinkedIn’s private mode can be very beneficial in many scenarios when you wish to maintain your privacy.
However, we do not recommend sticking to the private mode permanently, as the main goal on LinkedIn should be to grow your network and build relationships. Therefore making your name be seen is important.
So, when should you be using private mode on your profile?
Researching competitors
Businesses can get very competitive and staying ahead of the curve is crucial so that your business is relevant in your industry.
This requires a bit of research to know what your competitors are doing, and check how it compares to your own business.
Now, don’t get ahead of yourselves, we’re not implying you should copy your competitors’ work! But it is useful to know what their clients like about them and what they don’t so you can also set strategies to make adjustments to your own business.