The results displayed, from specific names to general information or no details at all, will depend upon visitors’ individual visibility settings level, explained below.  But even anonymous visitors, such as “Someone in the Customer Services function from Bristol”, can be explored further.  Click the link and LinkedIn will search for members in that position and location, giving a clue to identity should you wish to instigate contact.

Profile viewing, of course, works both ways.  While you can check who has read your profile, so members can see when you read theirs.  How much information you want to reveal about yourself is down to you.  You can set your preference from the same “Who’s Viewed My Profile” screen by clicking the “Settings” link.

Your options here are:

• Show your name and headline
• Only show anonymous profile characteristics (ie industry and title)
• Be totally anonymous

The disadvantage for free account members withholding their name is the forfeiture of all profile viewing statistics. These are undoubtedly beneficial as they are a means to online networking, making connections, identifying new customers and potentially growing your business. Subscribing LinkedIn members receive full statistics whatever their profile viewing setting.

Anyone with general internet privacy concerns may be interested to know that if the edit facility is not used, LinkedIn’s default settings always reveal who members are when they view a profile.  You may consider masking your identity but my recommendation is always to show your name and headline.  After all, if you joined LinkedIn to find contacts, why hide the fact you have been looking at someone’s profile?  Remember, it could lead to a connection, and a profitable one at that.

If this article raises unanswered questions, please contact me.