Preview LinkedIn Profile: View Your Profile As Others See it - Tips on Editing Profiles and Account Privacy

Samuel Cruz -

You’ve heard the phrase “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Well, that is just as true on LinkedIn. Your profile is your introduction to others and you want it to be perfect.

Managing your LinkedIn presence is crucial to creating a professional image and making a lasting impression on potential employers, leads, collaborators, and connections. Viewing your own LinkedIn profile from different perspectives, such as how it appears to potential employers and colleagues, is essential. This helps you understand how your professional image is perceived and allows you to optimize your profile to meet viewer expectations.

There are many things about your profile that people see when they view it for the first time. Here are some tips on editing your profile’s public visibility so you can View Your LinkedIn Profile As Others See It!

search engines / linkedin members / linkedin homepage / me icon - text alt

Understanding Your LinkedIn Profile Visibility

Your LinkedIn profile visibility is crucial in determining how others see your profile. When you create a LinkedIn account, your profile is set to public by default, which means that anyone can view your profile, even if they’re not logged in to LinkedIn. However, you can control who sees your profile by adjusting your visibility settings.

To understand your LinkedIn profile visibility, you need to know that there are three types of visibility settings:

  • Public: Anyone can view your profile, even if they’re not logged in to LinkedIn.
  • Connections: Only your connections can view your profile.
  • Private: Only you can view your profile.

You can adjust your visibility settings by going to your profile page, clicking on the “Settings” icon, and selecting “Visibility” from the dropdown menu. This allows you to control your profile’s public visibility and ensure that only the desired audience can access your information.

To view your LinkedIn profile as others see it

  • Go to the top right corner of your screen and select “Me 🔻.
  • Select the “Settings & Privacy” option from the dropdown menu (a new page will load).
  • In the left sidebar click on the tab “Visibility”
  • Click the “Edit your public profile” button once you’ve finished making changes.
  • This time you see a preview of your profile. (Shortcut: this is the page you are looking for https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings). You can also use the browser’s address bar to copy the profile URL.

Another option would be to copy the Link of your Profile (eg. https://www.linkedin.com/in/publicIdentifier) and paste it inside of an incognito tab in chrome. This simulates the perspective of an external visitor.

The result would be the same - you see your profile from the viewpoint of a Google visitor.

When someone visits your LinkedIn profile without being logged in, this is how it will appear. It’s a little different for someone who is signed in, highlighting the importance of managing your profile's public visibility.

LinkedIn Account Privacy, Visibility Settings, and Features

Here we answer some important questions about LinkedIn account privacy and your profile's public visibility settings.

To edit your profile’s public visibility on LinkedIn, navigate to your profile preview and use the toggles to enable or disable specific elements, or turn off public visibility entirely.

How to control what's displayed on your public LinkedIn profiles

On your public settings page ( https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings ) you will be able to manage your profile page and control all the information that’s displayed on your profile's public visibility, including:

  • Your name and headline (eg. “A marketer at ABC Company”)
  • Your profile photo
  • The companies you work for or worked for in the past

You can click on your profile picture to access certain features or settings, such as viewing your profile, adjusting privacy settings, or editing your public profile URL.

Turning off the Public visibility option, will make your Linkedin Profile to not appear on search engines.

Unless you have a compelling reason not to do so, I strongly urge making all information public. People will be more inclined to contact you if they can find out about you and your actions through your profile.

How to deactivate the "viewers of this profile also viewed" function

Have you ever seen an Amazon function like "Customers who bought xy also bought"?On your profile, LinkedIn has a similar function in that it links you to other users' profiles.

This is probably a less appealing feature for most individuals since the longer your profile stays on their view, the more interaction it will receive and is thus potentially helpful to your efforts.

So, here is how to disable this feature in LinkedIn:

  • Navigate to the right side and click "Me 🔻"
  • In the dropdown menu click on "Settings & Privacy" (a new page opens)
  • Navigate in the left sidebar to "Account Preferences"
  • Click the link "Viewers of this profile also viewed"
  • Switch the toggle to "off" (grey state)

How do I create a custom Linkedin Url?

Having a custom URL on LinkedIn is crucial for enhancing your profile's visibility and making it easily searchable by others. It strengthens your personal brand and makes your profile stand out. Imagine the difference between /in/profile-3dha4lfr and /in/yourname. A custom URL not only looks professional but also makes your profile memorable.

To create a custom LinkedIn profile URL:

  • Log in to your LinkedIn account and click on the “profile” tab
  • Click on “Edit public profile & URL” (top right corner)
  • In the URL box, add /in/YourNameHere

How can I see who viewed my Linkedin profile?

With a basic free LinkedIn account, you can see up to five results of who has viewed your profile.

This is available in your "Who viewed your profile" option, where you can also see the number of visits from people to your profile and the number of times you've appeared in search results. For more in-depth results, you can sign up for a free premium Linkedin account 1-month trial.

With a premium LinkedIn account, you may see an infinite number of people who have read your profile as well as other useful information like trends in viewership and industry or network representation.

How to view LinkedIn profiles anonymously

It makes perfect sense that you may want to view someone’s LinkedIn profile without being identified.

One method to achieve this is to use tools that allow you to view a LinkedIn profile as someone else, which can help you see how your profile appears to an outsider.

Unfortunately, you can’t access someone’s profile in full private mode as a free member. If you have a free account, however, you may still read in semi-private mode.

This means your profile characteristics such as job title, company, school and industry will still be shown to the member you are viewing. However, with no further information than that.

To update or change your browsing mode, simply head to the ‘Me’ icon in the top right-hand corner again and click on ‘Settings & Privacy.’ Click on ‘Visibility,’ then locate ‘Profile viewing options’ within the ‘Visibility of your profile & network’ section. Here, you’ll have different options of browsing mode to choose from.

Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile for Maximum Visibility

Optimizing your LinkedIn profile for maximum visibility is essential to increase your online presence and attract new connections. Here are some tips to optimize your LinkedIn profile:

  • Use Relevant Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords in your profile headline and summary to improve your visibility in search results. This helps search engines and LinkedIn’s search algorithm to find your profile more easily.
  • Clear and Concise Headline: Use a clear and concise profile headline that describes your profession and expertise. This makes it easier for others to understand your professional identity at a glance.
  • High-Quality Profile Photo: Use a high-quality profile photo that presents you in a professional light. A professional profile picture can significantly impact the first impression you make on visitors.
  • Complete Your Profile: Ensure your profile is fully completed, including your work experience, education, and skills. A complete profile is more likely to appear in search results and attract potential connections.
  • Custom URL: Use a custom URL for your LinkedIn profile to make it easier for others to find you. A custom URL not only looks professional but also makes your profile memorable.

By following these tips, you can optimize your LinkedIn profile for maximum visibility and increase your online presence.

Best Practices for LinkedIn Profile Management

Managing your LinkedIn profile effectively is crucial to maintain a professional online presence. Here are some best practices for LinkedIn profile management:

  • Regular Updates: Regularly update your profile to reflect changes in your career and expertise. Keeping your profile current ensures that visitors see the most accurate representation of your professional journey.
  • Consistent Tone and Voice: Use a consistent tone and voice in your profile to present yourself in a professional light. Consistency helps in building a strong personal brand.
  • Relevant Keywords: Use relevant keywords in your profile to improve your visibility in search results. This enhances your chances of being discovered by potential employers or collaborators.
  • Professional Profile Photo: Use a high-quality profile photo that presents you in a professional light. A good profile picture can make a significant difference in how others perceive you.
  • Prompt Responses: Respond promptly to messages and comments on your profile to maintain a professional online presence. Engaging with your network shows that you are active and approachable.
  • Analytics Tool: Use LinkedIn’s built-in analytics tool to track your profile’s performance and adjust your strategy accordingly. Monitoring your profile’s performance helps you understand what works and what needs improvement.

By following these best practices, you can effectively manage your LinkedIn profile and maintain a professional online presence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about LinkedIn profile visibility and management:

Q: How do I view my LinkedIn profile as someone else? A: You can view your LinkedIn profile as someone else by copying the link of your profile and pasting it in an incognito tab in Chrome. This simulates the perspective of an external visitor.

Q: How do I adjust my LinkedIn profile visibility settings? A: You can adjust your LinkedIn profile visibility settings by going to your profile page, clicking on the “Settings” icon, and selecting “Visibility” from the dropdown menu.

Q: How do I optimize my LinkedIn profile for maximum visibility? A: You can optimize your LinkedIn profile for maximum visibility by using relevant keywords in your profile headline and summary, using a clear and concise profile headline, and completing your profile fully.

Q: How do I manage my LinkedIn profile effectively? A: You can manage your LinkedIn profile effectively by regularly updating your profile, using a consistent tone and voice, and responding promptly to messages and comments on your profile.

Q: How do I track my LinkedIn profile’s performance? A: You can track your LinkedIn profile’s performance using LinkedIn’s built-in analytics tool.

Q: How do I customize my LinkedIn profile URL? A: You can customize your LinkedIn profile URL by going to your profile page, clicking on the “Settings” icon, and selecting “Customize your URL” from the dropdown menu.

Q: How do I deactivate the “viewers of this profile also viewed” feature? A: You can deactivate the “viewers of this profile also viewed” feature by going to your profile page, clicking on the “Settings” icon, and selecting “Deactivate” from the dropdown menu.

Q: How do I create a public profile badge? A: You can create a public profile badge by going to your profile page, clicking on the “Settings” icon, and selecting “Create a badge” from the dropdown menu.

Q: How do I stay undercover on LinkedIn? A: You can stay undercover on LinkedIn by deactivating the “viewers of this profile also viewed” feature and adjusting your visibility settings to private.

Q: How do I manage my activity visibility on LinkedIn? A: You can manage your activity visibility on LinkedIn by adjusting your visibility settings to control who sees your activities.

By addressing these common questions, you can better understand how to manage and optimize your LinkedIn profile for maximum impact.