When browsing LinkedIn profiles, the platform’s default settings allow users to see who has viewed their profile. While this feature can be beneficial for networking and engagement, there may be times when you prefer to view someone’s profile without revealing your identity. Fortunately, LinkedIn offers an option to browse profiles anonymously, giving you more control over your visibility.
Whether you’re researching competitors, looking at potential employers, or checking out profiles for professional inspiration, browsing anonymously can help you keep your search private. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of viewing LinkedIn profiles anonymously, along with tips on when and why you might want to use this feature.
Why View LinkedIn Profiles Anonymously?
Here are some reasons why you might want to view profiles anonymously on LinkedIn:
- Job Searching: When researching potential employers or recruiters, you may not want them to know that you’re reviewing their profiles, especially if you’re currently employed.
- Competitor Research: If you’re looking at competitors’ profiles to gather insights or monitor their activities, browsing anonymously helps maintain discretion.
- Recruiting: As a recruiter or hiring manager, you might want to view a candidate’s profile without tipping them off, especially in the early stages of vetting.
- General Curiosity: Whether you’re checking out industry leaders, influencers, or former colleagues, you may simply prefer to keep your activity private.
Regardless of your reason, LinkedIn gives you the option to maintain your privacy while browsing profiles. Here’s how you can do it.
How to View LinkedIn Profiles Anonymously (Desktop and Mobile)
To view LinkedIn profiles anonymously, you’ll need to adjust your privacy settings. LinkedIn allows you to choose between three levels of visibility when you view someone’s profile: Full visibility, semi-private, and anonymous.
Step 1: Go to LinkedIn’s Privacy Settings
- Log in to your LinkedIn account on your desktop browser or mobile app.
- On the desktop, click on your profile icon (or your small profile picture) in the top-right corner.
- From the dropdown menu, click on Settings & Privacy.
If you’re using the LinkedIn mobile app:
- Tap your profile picture in the top left of the screen.
- Scroll down and select Settings.
- Tap on Visibility under the Account section.
Step 2: Navigate to Profile Viewing Options
Once you’re in the Settings & Privacy section, follow these steps:
- On the desktop, click on the Visibility tab in the left sidebar.
- Scroll down and find the section labeled Profile viewing options.
- Click on Profile viewing options to adjust your settings.
On the mobile app:
- After selecting Visibility, tap Profile viewing options to adjust your profile visibility when viewing other profiles.
Step 3: Select Anonymous Browsing Mode
You’ll now see three profile viewing options:
- Your name and headline: This option shows your full name, profile headline, and other public details when you view someone’s profile. This is LinkedIn’s default setting.
- Private profile characteristics: This setting allows you to browse semi-anonymously, showing only limited information like your job title and company, without revealing your full name.
- Anonymous LinkedIn member: This setting completely hides your identity, making you appear as an anonymous LinkedIn member when you view other profiles.
To browse anonymously, select Anonymous LinkedIn member. Once selected, LinkedIn will no longer reveal your identity when you view other profiles.
Step 4: Save Your Changes
After selecting Anonymous LinkedIn member, your settings will be automatically saved. You can now browse LinkedIn profiles without the other person knowing that you viewed their profile.
How to Switch Back to Normal Browsing
If you decide to switch back to visible profile viewing, simply follow the same steps and select the option for Your name and headline. Once this is done, LinkedIn will resume showing your name and profile details when you view others’ profiles.
What Happens When You View Profiles Anonymously?
When you view profiles anonymously, there are a few key things to keep in mind:
- Others Can’t See You: The profile owner will only see that an “Anonymous LinkedIn member” viewed their profile. No information about your identity or LinkedIn activity will be revealed.
- You Lose Access to Viewer Insights: LinkedIn offers a “Who viewed your profile” feature that lets you see who has looked at your profile. When you browse in anonymous mode, you lose the ability to see who has viewed your own profile. This trade-off is LinkedIn’s way of maintaining balance – if you want to view profiles anonymously, you’ll forfeit your access to this feature.
Pros and Cons of Viewing LinkedIn Profiles Anonymously
Before using the anonymous browsing feature, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons.
Pros
- Privacy: The biggest advantage of anonymous browsing is the ability to view profiles discreetly. Whether you’re researching competitors, scouting potential job opportunities, or checking out industry leaders, you can do so without leaving a digital footprint.
- No Awkwardness: In some situations, you might feel awkward about someone knowing you’ve viewed their profile (e.g., an ex-colleague, recruiter, or competitor). Anonymity helps avoid any potential discomfort.
- Recruiting Discreetly: For recruiters, anonymous browsing allows you to screen potential candidates without alerting them that they’re being considered, which is particularly useful in the early stages of hiring.
Cons
- Loss of Visibility on Your Profile: When you view profiles anonymously, LinkedIn no longer shows you who has viewed your profile. This means you won’t know if potential employers, clients, or connections have visited your page.
- Reduced Networking Opportunities: If you’re trying to network, anonymous browsing might not work in your favor. When others see that you’ve viewed their profile, they may be more likely to connect or engage with you, which can lead to valuable professional relationships.
- No Follow-Up: Without knowing who viewed your profile, you can’t follow up with potential leads or employers who may be interested in connecting.
When Should You Use Anonymous Browsing on LinkedIn?
While anonymous browsing can be useful in many situations, it’s not always the best option. Here are some scenarios when you might want to enable anonymous browsing:
1. Researching Competitors
If you’re in a competitive industry and want to see what your competitors are up to, it’s a good idea to browse anonymously. You can check out their profiles without leaving any trace, allowing you to gather insights and information discreetly.
2. Checking Out Recruiters
When looking for a new job, you might want to research recruiters and hiring managers at companies you’re interested in. Anonymous browsing allows you to do this without alerting them, especially if you haven’t applied for a job yet.
3. Exploring Industry Leaders
If you’re browsing the profiles of well-known industry leaders or influencers, you may want to avoid having your name show up on their profile views list. This helps maintain your privacy while still allowing you to learn from others’ experiences.
4. Early Stage Recruiting
For recruiters, anonymous browsing can be useful when vetting candidates in the early stages of the hiring process. You can look at potential candidates without them knowing, which allows for more discretion.
When Not to Use Anonymous Browsing
In some cases, it’s better to leave your profile visible:
- Networking: If you’re trying to grow your network or establish professional relationships, it’s beneficial to let people see that you’ve viewed their profile. This can encourage them to view your profile in return or send a connection request.
- Job Searching: If you’ve applied for a job and want the hiring manager to know that you’ve taken the initiative to review their profile, it’s better to keep your identity visible.
Conclusion
LinkedIn offers a great balance between visibility and privacy, allowing you to view profiles anonymously when necessary. Whether you’re researching competitors, exploring potential job opportunities, or simply curious about a person’s career path, LinkedIn’s anonymous browsing feature provides a valuable way to keep your activity private.
Remember, while anonymity offers privacy, it may limit your networking opportunities and prevent you from seeing who’s viewed your own profile. Consider your goals on LinkedIn before deciding whether to browse anonymously or not.