How to Turn Read Receipts On and Off on LinkedIn

Read receipts on LinkedIn let you see when someone has read your message and also allow them to see when you have read theirs. While this feature can be useful for networking and communication, some users prefer to keep their read status private. Fortunately, LinkedIn allows you to turn read receipts on or off easily.

In this guide, we will explain how to manage read receipts on LinkedIn, giving you control over your messaging preferences.

What Are Read Receipts on LinkedIn?

Read receipts are a feature within LinkedIn messaging that notifies senders when their messages have been read. When enabled, both you and the person you’re messaging can see if the other has viewed the message.

This feature can be beneficial in various situations, such as:

  • Confirming that an important message has been received and read.
  • Improving communication efficiency by knowing when a response might be expected.
  • Helping with sales or networking follow-ups.

However, some users may choose to disable this feature for privacy reasons, to avoid pressure to respond immediately, or to prevent others from knowing whether they have seen a message.

How to Turn Read Receipts On or Off

Follow these simple steps to manage your read receipt settings on LinkedIn:

On Desktop:

  1. Go to LinkedIn.com and log in to your account.
  2. Click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen.
  3. Select Settings & Privacy from the dropdown menu.
  4. In the left-hand menu, click on Communications.
  5. Under the Messaging experience section, look for Read receipts and typing indicators.
  6. Toggle the switch ON or OFF, depending on your preference.

On Mobile (iOS and Android):

  1. Open the LinkedIn app on your mobile device.
  2. Tap on your profile picture in the upper left corner.
  3. Choose Settings from the menu.
  4. Navigate to Communications.
  5. Locate the Read receipts and typing indicators option.
  6. Toggle the switch ON or OFF, based on your preference.

Why You Might Want to Disable Read Receipts

Although read receipts can be useful, there are several reasons why users might prefer to keep them turned off:

  • Privacy concerns: Some users prefer not to let others know when they have viewed a message.
  • Eliminating response pressure: Without read receipts visible, you can take your time crafting responses without feeling pressured.
  • Enhancing flexibility: If you receive messages outside of working hours, disabling read receipts allows you to manage your response time more effectively.

When Read Receipts Are Not Available

It’s important to note that read receipts may not function in all cases:

  • They only work for direct messages between two people and not within group chats.
  • If either the sender or receiver has disabled read receipts, they will not appear for either party.
  • Read receipts may not be visible if a message is sent to someone who hasn’t accepted your connection request.

Conclusion

Managing your read receipt settings on LinkedIn allows you to control how you communicate with others on the platform. Whether you want to keep the feature on for transparency or turn it off for more privacy, the choice is entirely up to you.

By following the steps outlined above, you can easily adjust your settings on both desktop and mobile devices to suit your preferences. Stay in control of your LinkedIn messaging experience and make sure your communication style aligns with your professional needs.