LinkedIn is huge for professionals. It’s where we make connections, build networks, and show off what we can do.
But sometimes, LinkedIn’s transparency feels like a bit too much. By default, LinkedIn lets people know when you’ve checked out their LinkedIn profile.
It’s great if you want to connect, but what if you’re just looking around, doing a little research, or exploring? You might want to stay under the radar.
That’s where LinkedIn’s Private Mode comes in handy.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Private Mode—how it works, when to use it, and how it can make a difference.
Plus, you will also get to know about Podawaa, which boosts your LinkedIn presence even when you’re in private mode.
What is LinkedIn Private Mode?
LinkedIn is all about open networking, which is why it alerts people when someone views their profile. This can help start new connections, but sometimes, you just want a little privacy.
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LinkedIn Private Mode lets you browse without showing who you are. So, if you’re researching competitors, looking at potential hires, or checking out industry leaders, you can do it without leaving a trace.
When you enable Private Mode, your name, profile picture, job title, and company disappear.
All they see is an “Anonymous LinkedIn Member” viewing their profile. This feature can be a lifesaver when you want to keep things discreet.
How LinkedIn Private Mode Works?
LinkedIn offers three levels of visibility. Here’s a quick look:
1. Private Mode
Full anonymity. All the other people see is “Anonymous LinkedIn Member” viewed their profile. No name, no details.
2. Private Profile Characteristics (Semi-Private Mode)
This is semi-private. Your name and photo are hidden, but LinkedIn shows some info—like your industry, job title, or company.
It’s a good middle ground if you want some privacy but still want to leave a clue.
3. Public Mode
This is the default mode. Your full profile—name, picture, job title, and shared connections—will show up whenever you view someone’s profile.
Public Mode works well if you’re open to networking and want people to see your interest.
Each mode has its perks. Private Mode is best when you want full privacy, while Public Mode is ideal if you’re open to connecting.
Free vs. LinkedIn Premium Account: What’s the Difference for Private Mode?
If you’re using LinkedIn’s basic free account and switch to Private Mode, you won’t be able to see who’s viewed your profile—just like others can’t see you.
But if you have a LinkedIn Premium subscription, there’s an added perk. Even in Private Mode, you still get access to a list of people who’ve checked out your profile over the past 90 days.
This gives Premium users a bit more visibility into their audience while still browsing anonymously themselves.
So, if keeping tabs on who’s interested in your profile is important to you, the Premium account can be a helpful upgrade.
How to Turn On LinkedIn Private Mode
Switching to Private Mode is simple. Here’s how:
1. Log in to LinkedIn and click on your profile icon in the top-right corner.
2. Select “Settings & Privacy” from the drop-down menu.
3. Under “Visibility,” find and click on “Profile Viewing Options.”
4. Choose Private Mode or whichever option suits your needs.
Now you’re browsing in stealth mode. LinkedIn will show “Anonymous LinkedIn Member” when you visit profiles.
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Benefits of LinkedIn Private Mode
Here are some great ways to use Private Mode on LinkedIn:
1. Competitor Research
Private Mode is perfect if you’re doing competitor research. You can browse profiles, see their connections, and observe their activity without alerting them.
For example, if you’re a small agency, you might want to see what other agencies are doing. Private Mode lets you look without giving away the fact that you’re scoping out the competition.
2. Review Job Candidates or Employers Discreetly
If you’re a recruiter, Private Mode lets you check out candidates without notifying them. It’s helpful in the early recruitment stages when you’re gathering info.
On the flip side, job seekers can use it to learn more about potential employers before an interview—without leaving a trace.
3. Learn from Industry Leaders
Interested in the top people in your field? Private Mode lets you study their profiles for inspiration, ideas on how to improve your own profile, or learn from what they’re doing—all without notifying them.
It may interest you: 20 LinkedIn Post Examples to Increase Engagement
Downsides of LinkedIn Private Mode
Private Mode is useful, but it has its drawbacks:
1. Losing “Who Viewed Your Profile” Insights
Normally, LinkedIn shows you who checked out your profile, which can help you track interest from potential clients, recruiters, or partners.
But in Private Mode, you won’t see this info. This can be a missed opportunity if you’re trying to build visibility.
2. Fewer Networking Opportunities
When you view profiles in Public Mode, it sometimes sparks conversations. If someone sees that you’ve viewed their profile, they might reach out.
In Private Mode, people won’t know you were there, so those casual networking chances don’t happen as often.
Stay Anonymous and Boost Engagement with Podawaa
Using Private Mode helps with anonymity, but it limits visibility. To stay visible and engage with others on LinkedIn, there’s Podawaa.
Podawaa is an automation tool that helps you join or create “engagement pods” with other LinkedIn users.
These pods are groups where everyone agrees to like, comment on, and share each other’s posts, helping you get more engagement on your content—even if you’re browsing privately.
Here’s how Podawaa works:
Join or Create Engagement Pods
You can join pods with people in similar fields or interests. You can also create a private pod with colleagues or friends.
This way, everyone in the pod interacts with each other’s posts, boosting your visibility without needing to be public on LinkedIn.
Customize Your Engagement
Podawaa lets you choose the type of engagement you want on each post. If you want more comments or shares, you can set that as a target.
Plus, Podawaa’s AI can generate relevant comments to make interactions look authentic.
Automate Your Engagement
Manually engaging with every LinkedIn post can take time. Podawaa allows you to schedule interactions, keeping you active on LinkedIn without spending hours on it.
Here’s a guide on how to schedule a LinkedIn post.
Track Your Performance
Podawaa provides analytics like post reach, engagement metrics, and follower growth. Even in Private Mode, you can see how your content performs and make adjustments.
Why Podawaa Complements LinkedIn Private Mode
When you’re in Private Mode, you’re browsing discreetly, but your networking might feel limited. Podawaa helps by boosting your visibility and making your content stand out.
If you’re doing competitor research, for instance, you can keep your browsing private but still share engaging posts that draw people to you.
Say you’re a business consultant checking out LinkedIn profiles for ideas. Using Podawaa makes sure your content reaches a bigger audience, giving you more visibility without sacrificing privacy.
Using both Private Mode and Podawaa together can create a powerful LinkedIn strategy:
- Use Private Mode for Research: Whether you’re looking at competitors or potential hires, Private Mode keeps your interest hidden.
- Stay Active with Podawaa: Post regularly and join pods to keep your content visible to more people.
- Balance Privacy with Engagement: If you want to grow your network, Podawaa helps you reach the right audience without needing to switch out of Private Mode.
- Track Your Progress: Use Podawaa’s analytics to see what’s working, then adjust your strategy.
Start Using Podawaa for Free
Private Mode is great for anyone who wants to keep their LinkedIn activity low-key.
If you’re researching competitors, preparing for interviews, or learning from industry leaders, Private Mode has you covered.
But it can also limit networking potential. Adding Podawaa to the mix keeps you engaged, so your profile stays visible, and your content reaches more people—even if your browsing activity is private.
Take a minute to try Podawaa today.
FAQs About LinkedIn Private Mode
Is LinkedIn private mode really private?
Yes, LinkedIn's private mode keeps your profile information hidden when you view other prospects' profiles.
In private browsing, people can’t see who viewed their profile. However, if you're in semi-private mode, they may still see limited details, depending on the visibility mode you choose.
What are the disadvantages of private mode on LinkedIn?
Using LinkedIn's private mode can limit your ability to generate effective leads or reach out to LinkedIn. For example, potential candidates or business professionals won’t know you're interested in them, which can reduce engagement.
Additionally, competitor research may be harder if others can’t see you, and you lose access to viewing history on your basic account.
Is there a way to be private on LinkedIn?
Yes, LinkedIn offers three visibility modes: public mode, semi-private mode, and private mode. You can set your profile in private mode by adjusting the settings in your drop-down menu.
This is useful for competitor research, connecting with potential clients, or managing your personal branding.
How to see who viewed LinkedIn profile in private mode?
If you’re in private mode, you cannot see who viewed your profile. To view viewing history and know who has visited, you’ll need to switch to public modes or semi-private modes.
This will give you more insights into potential candidates, business partners, or prospects' profiles.