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

Have you ever seen the function on Amazon: "Customers who bought xy also buy"? LinkedIn does something similar on your profile with a link to other profiles.

For most people, this is probably a less desirable feature, since a longer visit time on your profile will result in more interaction and is therefore potentially beneficial to your efforts. So, let's take a look at how you can disable this feature in LinkedIn.

In case the Gif doesn't load, here is everything step by step:

1. Login to your LinkedIn Account
2. Navigate to the right side and click "Me 🔻"
3. In the dropdown menu click on "Settings & Privacy" (a new page  opens)
4. Navigate in the left sidebar to "Account Preferences"
5. Click the link "Viewers of this profile also viewed"
6. Switch the toggle to "off" (grey state)

Enabling the feature can increase the likelihood of receiving connection requests, but may also display other people's profiles, including their profile photo and job title, on your user's profile. Whether you want that or not, is your judgement call.

LinkedIn suggests people's profiles based on shared interests, job titles, and companies, and these suggestions can include LinkedIn members from similar organizations or locations. For example, searching for a lead's description or company can surface similar leads in the 'People Also Viewed' section, providing valuable insight for lead gen and networking. The benefit of this new feature is that it helps users discover connected members and organizations, but it may also show competitors or companies you are interested in.

Understanding the “People Also Viewed” Feature

The “People Also Viewed” setting is a unique LinkedIn feature designed to help users discover new connections and expand their network. When someone visits your profile page, LinkedIn displays a list of other users’ profiles that have been viewed by people who also viewed your profile. This section, found on the right side of your profile page, initially shows up to five relevant profiles, with the option to view more. By analyzing the viewing habits of LinkedIn members, this feature suggests potential leads and connections, making it a valuable tool for lead generation and networking.

Understanding how the “People Also Viewed” feature works can help you leverage it to connect with relevant members and grow your network strategically.

But there's a downside to it.

Why You Might Not Want This On Your LinkedIn Profile

Disabling the “People Also Viewed” feature can significantly enhance your LinkedIn profile’s effectiveness, especially for those focused on lead generation. Without this feature, your profile page becomes cleaner and less cluttered, allowing visitors to focus solely on your experience, skills, and offerings.

More importantly, you prevent competitors from being promoted alongside your profile, which can help you retain the attention of potential leads and decision makers. By taking control of this LinkedIn feature, you might strengthen your personal brand.