What Are LinkedIn Read Receipts?
LinkedIn read receipts are indicators that show whether your message has been seen by the recipient. When someone opens and reads your message, you'll see a small version of their profile photo below the message — similar to how iMessage or WhatsApp read receipts work.
What you'll see:
- Sent — your message was delivered
- Small profile photo — the recipient has read your message
- No indicator — the recipient hasn't opened it yet (or has read receipts turned off)
How LinkedIn Read Receipts Work
The Basics
- Read receipts are on by default for all LinkedIn users
- They work in one-on-one messages and group conversations
- They show when the message was read (you'll see a timestamp if you hover)
- They're mutual — if you turn off yours, you can't see others' receipts either
Important Detail: It's All or Nothing
Unlike some messaging platforms, LinkedIn's read receipts are reciprocal. If you disable read receipts:
- Nobody can see when you've read their messages
- You can't see when anyone has read yours
This is a deliberate design choice. You can't secretly read messages while making others think you haven't seen them — unless both parties have receipts turned on, neither sees read status.
How to Turn Off LinkedIn Read Receipts
On Desktop
- Click your profile photo in the top right
- Select Settings & Privacy
- Go to Communications → Messaging experience
- Find Read receipts and typing indicators
- Toggle it off
On Mobile (iOS/Android)
- Tap your profile photo
- Tap Settings
- Tap Communications
- Tap Messaging experience
- Tap Read receipts and typing indicators
- Toggle it off
Note: This also disables typing indicators (the "..." bubble that shows when someone is typing a response to you).
Should You Keep Read Receipts On or Off?
Arguments for Keeping Them On
1. Social accountability When someone sees you've read their message, there's implicit pressure to respond. This can work in your favor if you're sending outreach — people feel more obligated to reply when they know you can see they've read it.
2. Conversation efficiency Read receipts tell you whether to follow up or wait. If someone read your message 3 days ago and hasn't replied, that's useful information. If they haven't opened it, maybe they're just busy.
3. Professional courtesy In many professional contexts, read receipts signal engagement. Turning them off can feel evasive, like you're hiding.
Arguments for Turning Them Off
1. Removes pressure to respond immediately Sometimes you want to read a message and think about your response without the sender knowing you've seen it. Read receipts create urgency that isn't always productive.
2. Prevents awkward situations Reading a message and not replying (even temporarily) can seem rude when read receipts are on. Turning them off gives you space to respond on your own timeline.
3. Privacy Some people simply don't want others tracking their messaging behavior. That's valid.
Our Recommendation
If you're doing sales outreach or recruiting, keep them on. The information about whether prospects have read your messages is valuable for timing follow-ups.
If you're a busy executive getting hundreds of messages, turn them off. You don't need the pressure of people watching your read status.
Using Read Receipts for Sales Outreach
Read receipts are a tactical advantage for salespeople and recruiters. Here's how to use them:
1. Time Your Follow-Ups
If someone read your message on Monday but hasn't replied by Wednesday, send a follow-up. You know they saw it — they didn't miss it, they're just deciding.
2. Identify Hot vs Cold Leads
- Read immediately + replied = highly interested
- Read immediately + no reply = interested but not enough to act
- Not read after 7 days = not checking LinkedIn or not interested
- Read after several days = low priority but didn't ignore you
3. Adjust Your Messaging
If people consistently read your messages but don't reply, the problem isn't visibility — it's your message content. Rework your pitch.
If people aren't reading your messages at all, the problem might be your first line (LinkedIn shows a preview) or the time you're sending.
What to Do When Someone Reads Your Message and Doesn't Reply
This is the most common frustration with read receipts. Someone clearly read your message, but... nothing.
Don't Panic
People read messages during meetings, while commuting, or while doing other things. They often intend to reply later and simply forget. This is normal.
Wait 3-5 Business Days
Give them time. Not everyone lives on LinkedIn. A message read on Tuesday might get a response on Friday when they have time to think about it.
Send a Thoughtful Follow-Up
After 3-5 days, send a brief follow-up that adds value — don't just say "bumping this up."
Example:
"Hey [Name], I came across [relevant article/data point] that reminded me of our conversation. Figured it might be useful regardless. Let me know if you want to chat about [topic] at some point."
Know When to Move On
If someone reads your message twice and doesn't reply to a follow-up, they're not interested. Don't send a third message — it crosses into annoying territory.
Read Receipts in Group Messages
In LinkedIn group conversations:
- Read receipts show which members have seen each message
- Each person's profile photo appears below the message once they've read it
- This is useful for ensuring important messages are seen by all participants
LinkedIn Typing Indicators
Alongside read receipts, LinkedIn shows typing indicators — the animated dots that appear when someone is composing a response.
Typing indicators are controlled by the same toggle as read receipts. If you turn off read receipts, typing indicators also disappear.
Tactical note: If you see someone typing for a long time and then the indicator disappears without a message, they started a reply and deleted it. This usually means they're unsure how to respond — could be worth a different approach in your follow-up.
Automating LinkedIn Messaging at Scale
Read receipts are helpful for tracking individual conversations. But when you're managing dozens or hundreds of LinkedIn conversations, you need a system.
Handshake automates LinkedIn outreach and follow-ups at scale:
- Automated sequences — send personalized connection requests and follow-up messages without manual effort
- Smart timing — messages sent at optimal times for maximum open and response rates
- Conversation tracking — manage all your LinkedIn conversations in one dashboard
- Follow-up automation — never forget to follow up with a prospect who went quiet
Stop manually checking read receipts one by one. Let Handshake manage your outreach pipeline.
FAQ
Can I see read receipts on LinkedIn InMail?
No. LinkedIn read receipts only work on regular messages between connections. InMail does not show read receipt indicators.
Do read receipts work on the LinkedIn mobile app?
Yes. Read receipts work the same way on iOS, Android, and desktop. The small profile photo indicator appears across all platforms.
Can someone read my message without triggering the read receipt?
Not within LinkedIn's native messaging. However, if someone reads the message preview in a notification (email or push notification) without opening the full message in LinkedIn, the read receipt may not trigger.
Are LinkedIn read receipts accurate?
Generally yes, but they're not perfect. Technical glitches, notification previews, and app caching can occasionally show inaccurate read status. Don't make major decisions based solely on read receipt data.
If I turn off read receipts, will past read indicators disappear?
No. Read receipts that were already shown will remain. The setting only affects future messages.
Want to turn LinkedIn messages into real conversations? Handshake automates your outreach and follow-ups so no opportunity goes cold.