If you're looking for a new job or want to make connections with potential employers, LinkedIn is the place to be. It's the tool for networking, finding jobs, and recruiting. However, using LinkedIn effectively takes some know-how especially if you want to find and be found by the right connections. But, how can people find you on LinkedIn? This is where features like found you via LinkedIn profile, search, or homepage, step in. And if you don't know what they are or how to use them, don't worry — we'll explain everything in this article. So, stay tuned!
How Can People Find You On LinkedIn?
Search and find is everything these days, especially if you are looking for business opportunities. That's why LinkedIn has become one of the most powerful tools for business networking. It's a site where people can go to find out more about you, your professional experience, and what you're looking for in your career and they can do so in five different ways:
- Via Linkedin Profile
- Via Homepage
- Via LinkedIn Company Pages
- Via LinkedIn Search
- Or the traditional Google search.
So let's take a look at what each of them means, how it works and what you can do to make sure you're easy to find.
What Does Found You via LinkedIn Profile Mean?
The most obvious way for people to discover you on any social media and not just LinkedIn, is via your profile. If you’ve been found via LinkedIn profile it means that your profile has appeared as a suggestion to a member after viewing at or connecting with someone within their network. There is also the possibility that the person who found you via LinkedIn profile is already one of your connections and has visited your page following a link from an existing member you two are connected with.
So, how does found via LinkedIn profile work? The key is in LinkedIn’s algorithm as it works to show members profiles that it thinks will be the most relevant to their search. Most of such searches typically come from "People also viewed [suggestion]." Also, you could get such views if you pick "Viewers of this profile also viewed".
How to Be Found via LinkedIn Profile
If you wish to be found via LinkedIn profile you need to make sure that your profile is up-to-date, public, and that it is keyword rich. This means using the right keywords in your job title, summary, and work history so that people can easily find you when they are searching for someone with your skills and experience.
Also, leaving comments and liking posts on LinkedIn will also help to increase your visibility. When you do this, your profile image and name will appear next to your comment which makes you more discoverable.
What Does Found You via Homepage Mean?
As you might guess, it means that you have appeared on someone's LinkedIn homepage. This can happen in a few different ways. The first is if you have recently joined LinkedIn or if you have been active on the site and LinkedIn thinks you're a good connection for someone.
The second option for someone to have found you via homepage is if someone in your network has viewed your profile or engaged with your content. When this happens, your profile could appear on their homepage as a suggested connection.
The third way is if you have been active in groups or participating in discussions. When you do this, your profile image and name will appear next to your comment which makes you more discoverable to people who are interested in the same topics.
How to Be Found via Homepage on LinkedIn
To appear on someone's LinkedIn homepage, the best thing you can do is to be active on the site. This means posting updates, and articles, and leaving comments on other people's posts. The more active you are, the more likely you are to appear on someone's homepage as a suggested connection.
You can also join groups and participate in discussions. When you do this, your LinkedIn profile picture and name will appear next to your comment which makes you more discoverable to people interested in the same topics.
What Does Found You via LinkedIn Company Pages Mean?
Another way in which you can be discovered by LinkedIn users is through company pages that you followed. The phrase "found you via LinkedIn company page" implies that the LinkedIn member discovered your profile on a company/organization's page that you have liked or commented on. Or if you have recently added promotion to your LinkedIn profile and mentioned a specific firm or organization as your workplace.
How to Be Found via LinkedIn Company Pages
To gain more exposure and increase your chances of being found via LinkedIn company pages, it's important to engage with the companies that you want to be associated with. This means liking their posts, leaving comments, and sharing their content. When you do this, your profile image and name will appear next to your comment and thus make you more discoverable.
It's also important to share promotions and add a LinkedIn resume to your profile which you will update regularly. The goal in doing so is to help to show that you're an active and engaged member of the professional LinkedIn community.
Also, make sure to follow only relevant pages in your “add interests on LinkedIn” section. If your interests are in line with your professional background you are more likely to attract an audience that is according to your standards.
What Does Found You via LinkedIn Search Mean?
If you have a connection request from someone and it says "found you via LinkedIn search" it naturally means they have found your profile through the LinkedIn search function. This is the most common way that LinkedIn users find and connect with others on the site. To find someone on LinkedIn, all you need to do is type their name or keywords into the search bar. In this instance, the user who has found you via LinkedIn search has used the search engine of the site which functions as an all-inclusive database of the 830 million existing LinkedIn members.
How to Be Found via LinkedIn Search
To improve your chances of showing up in the “found via LinkedIn search” appearances, we recommend that you use your real name as your profile name, add a profile photo, and complete as much of your profile as possible. The more information you include in your account, the easier it will be for others to find you when they use this search function.
In addition, if you're looking for a job or want to be found by recruiters, we recommend that you use the LinkedIn "Open to Work" feature which by default goes along with your profile picture and increases your visibility. Adding some keywords relevant to the job position you're hunting for is also a good idea. This way you will not only appear in "found you via LinkedIn search" but your name will also come up in other LinkedIn search appearances.
Bonus: How to Tell How Someone Found You on LinkedIn
LinkedIn usually informs you how someone found you on LinkedIn in the connection request message. The most common ways are found you via LinkedIn search, profile, or homepage. It always displays some form of information to notify you. It will either tell you which connections you have in common with the person who would like to connect with you or the name will appear in the “Who viewed your profile” section. For instance, if it says "found you via LinkedIn profile", that means they discovered your profile through a search on LinkedIn or by viewing your profile directly.
