LinkedIn may be the biggest professional network in existence, but that doesn’t mean it’s excluded from incognito functions. That’s right, even the biggest pro network in the world can grant its users anonymity, should they decide so. Whether for personal reasons or as a business strategy/approach, staying anonymous on big social media platforms does have its advantages. For one, those particular about maintaining a high level of personal online security may want to hide their real identity and keep things strictly operational or, in slang, ‘under the hood’.

We may not be aware, but staying anonymous, especially while online, is and has been a growing practice, though others prefer to go by codenames or ‘Handles’, rather than stay completely anonymous. Likewise, the introduction of Virtual Proxy Networks (VPNs) has also helped shield many from the dangers of public network browsing. But I digress. Backed to LinkedIn, if you want to learn how to make your profile anonymous, then look no further.

The Guide

Wanting to go anonymous isn’t always a shady tactic. Sometimes, being anonymous is perfect, especially if you want to conduct quiet and subtle background checks, though it is understandable if people become apprehensive, especially in knowing that an anonymous profile is checking their credentials out. In line with this, if people do see an anonymous profile ‘stalking’ them, they won’t be able to see any profile details that will lead them to whoever was looking them up. If you’re ready to be a LinkedIn undercover agent, then follow these steps.

Step 1: Log In to your LinkedIn profile. If you have multiple accounts, then choose the one you want to go anonymous on.

Step 2: Go to your profile settings and navigate until you find where it says ‘Me’ at the very top, then click the dropdown arrow.

Step 3:  From the options, select ‘Settings & Privacy’ under ‘Account’.

Step 4: A menu should appear somewhere on the left side of your screen. Select the option labeled ‘Visibility’.

Step 5: Select ‘Profile Viewing Options’.

Step 6: At the bottom, select ‘Private Mode’.

Presto! You’ll now be seen as an ‘Anonymous LinkedIn Member’. You can now view other profiles without them knowing that you viewed them, which, again, can be advantageous, especially if you’re canvassing viable profiles to add to your network. Your contact info and personal records won’t be visible to others as an anonymous profile.

The Wrap

There are a couple of other privacy settings that you can explore without having to go completely anonymous. Visibility and discoverability are two key elements in growing your presence on LinkedIn. However, it does offer you that freedom in cases where you want to be less visible. Though unlikely to be used for long-term, professionally, this, at least, is an option worth considering if you want to go on LinkedIn to scout for potential connections but not have it as your main platform.

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Sources

https://bit.ly/330PK4K