Using LinkedIn’s ‘People Also Viewed’ Feature
LinkedIn’s ‘People Also Viewed’ feature is an overlooked tool for expanding your network with highly relevant connections.
While many users focus on traditional search methods to find professionals in their industry, this feature does the work for you by recommending people similar to those you already engage with.
If you’re serious about growing a meaningful LinkedIn network, leveraging this tool can help you connect with like-minded professionals, potential collaborators, and even prospective clients without having to manually search for them.
When someone visits your profile, LinkedIn suggests other profiles that might interest them under the ‘People Also Viewed’ section.
This means if someone is exploring a well-known expert in your industry, your profile could appear as a recommendation—assuming your activity and optimization align with that industry.
But beyond passively hoping your name shows up in someone else’s feed, you can use this feature proactively to find high-value connections and strategically grow your network.
Start by visiting the profile of a leader in your field. This could be an industry influencer, a well-known speaker, or even a competitor.
Scroll down, and on the right-hand side, you’ll see LinkedIn’s ‘People Also Viewed’ suggestions.
These are people who either have a similar background, share common connections, or are actively engaged in the same professional circles.
Because LinkedIn’s algorithm prioritizes relevance, the profiles shown here are highly likely to be individuals worth connecting with.
Instead of blindly sending connection requests, take a moment to check each person’s profile.
Look at their headline, their recent activity, and whether they share content that aligns with your interests.
If they’re active and engaging, that’s a strong sign they’ll be valuable additions to your network.
If they’re inactive or have a bare profile with little interaction, they’re less likely to engage with you, which means adding them won’t be as beneficial.
Once you’ve identified three profiles that stand out, send them personalized connection requests. Avoid sending the default, impersonal LinkedIn request.
If someone receives a generic request from a stranger, they have no reason to accept.
Instead, reference something specific about their profile to show that you’re genuinely interested in connecting.
For example, if one of the suggested profiles is a content marketing strategist, you might say:
“Hi [Name], I came across your profile through LinkedIn’s recommendations and saw that we both focus on content strategy. I’d love to connect and exchange insights!”
If the person is an entrepreneur in your niche, your message could be:
“Hi [Name], I noticed LinkedIn suggested your profile since we share similar connections. I really liked your recent post on [topic]. Looking forward to connecting!”
These small personal touches make your request feel intentional rather than random. The more relevant and customized your message, the higher the chances of them accepting.
Beyond sending connection requests, ‘People Also Viewed’ can help you identify networking patterns.
If you consistently see the same types of professionals recommended, LinkedIn is signaling that these are people you should engage with.
This can refine your networking strategy by guiding you toward specific industries, job titles, or niche communities where you’ll find the most valuable connections.
Another way to make this feature work for you is by increasing your own visibility.
If you optimize your LinkedIn presence, engage with content, and connect with the right people, your profile can start appearing in the ‘People Also Viewed’ section of industry leaders.
This means when someone checks out an influencer’s profile, they may see your name and click through, giving you exposure to potential connections without you having to actively seek them out.
One way to improve your chances of appearing in this section is by engaging with the same posts as the influencers in your field.
Commenting on their content, sharing mutual connections, and posting about similar topics signals to LinkedIn that your profile is related to theirs.
Over time, this increases the likelihood that your name will appear as a recommended connection for their audience.
You should also keep an eye on how this feature evolves.
LinkedIn’s algorithm changes regularly, and while ‘People Also Viewed’ remains a powerful networking tool, it may shift in how it prioritizes recommendations.
Make it a habit to check this section periodically and adjust your engagement strategy based on the types of professionals being suggested.
Today, take action by identifying three people from the ‘People Also Viewed’ section of an industry leader’s profile and sending them personalized connection requests.
This small but strategic step can introduce you to valuable new contacts and open doors to opportunities you wouldn’t have found through basic search alone.
The right connections on LinkedIn can accelerate your reach, establish credibility, and make your profile more discoverable—so use every tool available to make that happen.
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