Are you concerned about who's viewing your LinkedIn profile? Want to take control of your privacy settings? This guide breaks down the primary steps to enhance your understanding of how to manage and, if desired, delete the "People Also Viewed" feature on LinkedIn. While you can't completely delete the fact that others have viewed your profile, you can significantly impact what information is shared and how prominently your profile appears in others' feeds.
Understanding LinkedIn's "People Also Viewed" Feature
LinkedIn's "People Also Viewed" section suggests profiles to users based on factors like your industry, job title, skills, connections, and recent activity. This feature is designed to help users discover potential connections and expand their professional network. However, understanding how this feature works is crucial to managing your visibility.
What Data Contributes to "People Also Viewed"?
Several data points inform LinkedIn's recommendations in the "People Also Viewed" section:
- Industry: Your listed industry significantly influences who sees your profile.
- Job Title: Similar job titles increase the likelihood of your profile being shown to others in those roles.
- Skills: The skills you've added to your profile are key factors in the algorithm.
- Connections: If you have mutual connections with someone, your profile is more likely to appear in their "People Also Viewed" section.
- Recent Activity: Engaging with content or profiles can temporarily boost your visibility.
Managing Your LinkedIn Profile Visibility
While you cannot completely remove yourself from others' "People Also Viewed" suggestions, you can significantly reduce your visibility by adjusting your profile settings. Here are crucial steps to manage your presence:
1. Adjust Your Privacy Settings
LinkedIn's privacy settings offer granular control over your profile information. Navigate to your profile settings and carefully review the options related to:
- Profile Visibility: Determine who can see your full profile (e.g., only your connections, everyone).
- Contact Information: Control which contact details are publicly visible.
- Activity Broadcasts: Limit the information shared about your actions on LinkedIn.
Pro Tip: Regularly review and update your privacy settings. LinkedIn's settings can change, and you should actively control what information is shared.
2. Optimize Your Profile Completeness
A less-complete profile might inadvertently increase your visibility in searches. A fully-optimized profile provides a more curated view, potentially diminishing the likelihood of you appearing in "People Also Viewed" sections. Focus on:
- Headline: Craft a compelling headline that accurately reflects your current position and expertise.
- Summary: Write a captivating summary showcasing your value proposition.
- Experience: Detail your work history accurately and comprehensively.
- Skills & Endorsements: Highlight your key skills and build endorsements.
Pro Tip: A complete profile allows LinkedIn to categorize you more precisely, resulting in more targeted recommendations (potentially reducing appearances in unrelated "People Also Viewed" sections).
3. Control Your LinkedIn Activity
Your engagement on LinkedIn plays a role in visibility. While it's important to remain active, consider the following:
- Limit Public Posts: Avoid over-posting, especially content that might attract unwanted attention.
- Targeted Engagement: Focus your interactions on relevant connections and content rather than broadly engaging across the platform.
Pro Tip: Strategic engagement rather than excessive activity is more effective in professional networking.
Understanding the Limitations
It's vital to understand that entirely eliminating your appearance from others' "People Also Viewed" sections is likely impossible. LinkedIn's algorithm is constantly evolving. However, by diligently following these steps, you can significantly reduce your visibility and enhance your control over your professional online presence. Focus on strategic profile optimization and judicious engagement to reap the rewards of LinkedIn while safeguarding your privacy.
