Should you use public or private mode when using LinkedIn?

LinkedIn has three visibility options available:

• Public version
• Semi-private mode
• Private mode

What is LinkedIn Private Mode?

LinkedIn Private Mode lets users control what information they share when looking at the profiles of other users. When you visit the profile of another user on LinkedIn they can see who was looking at their profile. Private Mode allows you to opt-out of that feature and makes you anonymous.

When might you want to use Private Mode?

You might like to use Private Mode when you are just starting out and getting used to using LinkedIn. If you are job-hunting you might also like to use private mode while browsing different companies and doing your research. Generally, if you want to do a bit of anonymous browsing, using Private Mode can help you do this.

However, it should be noted that unless you are using Premium, turning the private mode on will erase your “who has viewed your profile” data and you will not be able to see who has viewed your profile. Depending on how you use LinkedIn this limit the effectiveness of LinkedIn as a tool.

When might you not want to use Private Mode?

As LinkedIn can be a great tool for networking and business development, you might not always want to be using Private Mode due to the above limitations.

If you are using the site for networking purposes, using Private Mode can mean that you miss out on seeing who has viewed your profile which means you can miss out on potential conversations, on potential connections and potential opportunities.

Turning off Private Mode can mean that you can use your profile visitors information as a valuable resource for outreach, and you can tempt others to reach out to you by visiting their profile.

Therefore the best way to use Private Mode is to use it when you need to, but use Public Mode the rest of the time to ensure that you can use LinkedIn effectively as a networking tool.

Further Reading:

• The Beginner’s A to Z Guide to LinkedIn [Round-up]
• The A to Z of Networking on Social Media [Round-up]
• How to: Maximise your time on LinkedIn