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My LinkedIn profile allows public viewing of my full profile. So even non-LinkedIn members should be able to see it, right?

But that's not what's happening. I've tested on multiple computers, browsers, and phones. And I've dumped cache to be sure I was starting a fresh test.

In all cases, LinkedIn insists on signing in to see the profile.

See screenshot for settings. Is there something I need to change in the "Customize Your Public Profile" settings? Or something I need to change elsewhere in LinkedIn? Or maybe I misunderstand LinkedIn's own explanation about how the public view works?

LinkedIn Public View Settings

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    This is not a reproducible error: I've just gone on your linkedin profile and I can see your profile including your profile summary, Experience, Volunteer Experience & Causes, Languages,Courses, Organizations, Skills, Education, Recommendations and Groups. And I'm not logged in Commented May 27, 2017 at 23:43
  • Wow! Any idea why we are having a different experience?
    – RJo
    Commented May 27, 2017 at 23:56
  • Spousal unit has also tested. The first time, he could see my profile. For subsequent views he has to log in.
    – RJo
    Commented May 28, 2017 at 0:02
  • I used incognito mode and I can see your profile just fine.
    – ale
    Commented May 28, 2017 at 3:49
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    This is one of those things in which you can view the public profile just fine, but if you want to view a second one, it asks you to log in, probably based on a cookie. This is a LinkedIn ploy, not anything to do with your individual profile.
    – jonsca
    Commented May 28, 2017 at 4:31

1 Answer 1

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Comments that others could see my profile suggested that something other than my settings was the issue. Based on further research and testing, here are my findings:

  • LinkedIn has limits on the number of times that you can view public profiles without logging in. https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/69654

  • The LinkedIn counter appears to be tied to the IP address. Turning off Wi-Fi and switching to cellular generates a new IP address and "fresh" access.

  • The LinkedIn interface can be deceiving. My first two or three views in cellular opened a clean view. On subsequent views, a LinkedIn "Join" window overlaid a dimmed out view of my profile. Then I noticed "See more" at the bottom of the screen. I scrolled and saw everything.
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    The Commercial Use Limit linked in the link explains more about the limit. You may expand this answer by quoting from it.
    – Andrew T.
    Commented May 28, 2017 at 7:01
  • This is good research. If you expand your answer with the information found by @AndrewT. and jonsca, it would be a great answer. There's also nothing wrong with accepting your own answer. Commented May 28, 2017 at 20:23
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    @Andrew T. I did research the Commercial Use limit, but after reading it several times I determined that it applied when someone with a free account was logged in. I was concerned about nonmember public views, and disregarded the Commercial Use explanation. Your comment was helpful, so I will try to change the title of my post to reflect that login nuance. @ Vidar - That was a good reminder for infrequent Stackexchangers like me.
    – RJo
    Commented May 28, 2017 at 21:23

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