How to Prevent People from Knowing You've Searched for Them on LinkedIn
It's a common practice that we don't always admit to, but if you want to avoid an awkward moment, here's what to do.
If you claim you've never checked someone out on LinkedIn, you might be telling a little white lie. There's often a genuine reason behind this habit, whether it's to learn more about someone we admire professionally, track the career progress of a former coworker, or simply satisfy curiosity about a person we know.
Amy, an HR leader at a global company, helps people advance in corporate roles while guiding them through the administrative side of the corporate world. She frequently shares HR tips and advice on her Instagram, and one of her latest videos on LinkedIn privacy has gone viral, with over 26 million views and plenty of positive feedback. "Super helpful, love it," one commenter said. "Great, now I can get rid of my fake account," joked another.
It's also common to research potential employers or gather information about a company before a job interview. Perhaps you're eyeing a key contact for a job but haven't made a formal connection yet. You might worry they'll find out you've viewed their profile—possibly more than once.
Luckily, Amy shared in her viral video how to prevent people from knowing you've viewed their LinkedIn profile. The process is simple:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile and click on Settings and Privacy.
- Select Visibility and then choose Profile Viewing Options.
- Make sure not to select LinkedIn Pro, but instead switch to Private Mode.
Once in Private Mode, you can browse profiles without the other person knowing you've looked at them.
Amy's advice has been a hit, helping people avoid those uncomfortable moments while still letting them stay informed about the people they're interested in.
Switching to Private Mode can be particularly useful if you're in the early stages of a job search or exploring potential career moves discreetly. It allows you to gather valuable insights about companies, hiring managers, or colleagues without tipping them off. Whether you're scouting out a company culture, learning more about industry leaders, or simply staying up-to-date with your professional network, using LinkedIn's Private Mode ensures that you can do so while maintaining your privacy.