LinkedIn has become the go-to platform for professionals. Whether you’re job hunting, networking, or just staying updated, it plays a big role in your digital presence.
TL;DR
Yes, LinkedIn does show read receipts—but only in direct messages and only if you don’t turn them off. Both parties need to have read receipts enabled to see if a message was read. You can easily disable or enable this in your settings. Read receipts don’t apply to profile views or post engagement.
What Are Read Receipts?
Let’s start with the basics. A read receipt tells you when someone has seen your message. You’ve probably seen this in apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
On LinkedIn, it works almost the same. When someone reads your message, a tiny icon pops up to let you know.
Where Can You See Read Receipts on LinkedIn?
Only in LinkedIn messages—officially called “LinkedIn Messaging.” If you send someone a message through LinkedIn, and they open it, you may see a checkmark or their profile picture below the last message you sent.
This means they’ve seen it. It’s that simple!
When Do Read Receipts Show Up?
Here’s the catch: both people need to have read receipts turned on.
- If you have them on, and they have them on—you’ll see the read status.
- If either of you has them off—you won’t see anything.
How to Tell If Someone Has Seen Your Message
Check your message thread. Look just under your last message.
You might see:
- a mini version of their profile picture ➜ message has been seen
- nothing at all ➜ message may be unread, or read receipts are off
How to Turn Read Receipts On/Off
Don’t want to let people know you read their message? You can turn read receipts off.
Here’s how:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile
- Click on the Me icon at the top
- Select Settings & Privacy
- Click on Communications
- Find the section called Messaging experience
- Toggle the Read receipts and typing indicators on or off
Remember, when you turn them off, you also can’t see if others read your messages.
Typing Indicators Too!
Along with read receipts, LinkedIn also shows typing indicators. You can see when someone is typing a response—yes, those three little dots (…)
These work the same way. Both people need the setting enabled to see it.
Do Post Views or Profile Views Show Read Info?
Nope! Different features.
For posts, LinkedIn will show you how many people saw it and some job titles or companies, but no names unless followers engage with it.
For profile views, you’ll see the list of people who visited your page, only if they have their visibility settings open.
So, no read receipts here. Just a general idea of who’s looking.
Are Read Receipts Useful?
Yes—and no!
Pros:
- You know if someone saw your message
- Helps with follow-ups
- Gives closure when someone ghosts you 🙈
Cons:
- Can feel a little invasive
- May pressure you to reply quickly
- You lose privacy if turned on
It’s all about what you’re comfortable with!
Does Everyone Use Read Receipts?
Not at all. Many people turn them off. Especially recruiters, execs, or users with large inboxes. They read messages but don’t want everyone knowing they did.
So don’t worry if you don’t see that tiny checkmark. Your message might still have been seen.
What About InMail Messages?
InMails are messages you send to people you’re not connected with.
Unfortunately, InMails do NOT support read receipts. You’ll never know for sure if someone read an InMail—unless they reply.
Tips for Messaging on LinkedIn
Want better results when messaging someone? Try these quick tips:
- Start with a personal touch: Mention something from their profile
- Keep it short: No one loves essays
- Follow up: Wait a few days, then ping again
- Respect boundaries: Not everyone responds fast, or at all
Should You Use Read Receipts?
This is totally up to you. Want more transparency and accountability? Keep them on.
Value your privacy and freedom to reply whenever? Turn them off.
It’s a personal call, just like turning off “last seen” in other apps.
Fun Fact!
LinkedIn tested read receipts for a while before making it widely available. At first, only Premium users got access. But now, it’s for everyone.
They even added typing indicators later—just like messaging apps we use every day.
Final Thoughts
LinkedIn does show read receipts, but only in direct messages—and only if both sides allow it. It’s a simple tool, but it can change how you communicate.
Some love it. Some turn it off. Either way, it’s there to help you manage professional chats just a little bit better.
Remember: LinkedIn isn’t just another social media app—it’s your digital resume, your networking hub, and your door to new opportunities. Use every feature, including read receipts, wisely!
And now you know exactly how they work!
