The “People you may know” feature on Facebook helps users find other people to connect with. It suggests people they might like to be friends with. Many times, you might find yourself scrolling through your Facebook friend suggestions only to come across names and faces that seem completely unfamiliar. You start asking yourself; why do I get Facebook friend suggestions from strangers?
This is a common experience for many platform users, leading to questions about why these strangers are popping up in our social circles. This piece explains Facebook’s friend suggestion algorithm to uncover the reasons behind why you might be getting friend suggestions from people you don’t know.
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Ready to simplify your online presence?
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Why do I get Facebook friend suggestions from strangers?
Facebook’s friend suggestion algorithm is a complex system that uses various factors to recommend potential connections to users. It analyzes data such as mutual friends, shared networks, common interests, and location to suggest people you might know or want to connect with on the platform.
This algorithm constantly refines its suggestions based on user interactions and engagement patterns, aiming to facilitate meaningful connections. Below is a further explanation of the reasons you might be getting friends’ suggestions from strangers on Facebook:
1. Mutual friends
Facebook’s friend suggestion algorithm looks at the friends you have in common with others. When you and someone else have mutual friends, Facebook may suggest that person as a friend to you. Having mutual friends can indicate that you might know each other or have similar interests. For example, if you and a person both have a friend named Sarah, Facebook might suggest that person as a friend to you because you have a standard connection through Sarah.
2. Shared networks
Another factor that influences friend suggestions on Facebook is shared networks. These refer to groups, organizations, or communities that you and another person are part of. If you and someone else are members of the same school alum group or work for the same company, Facebook might suggest that person as a friend to you. Shared networks indicate everyday experiences or backgrounds, making it more likely that you would want to connect.
3. Common interests and activities
Facebook’s algorithm also considers common interests and activities when making friend suggestions. It looks at the pages you like, the groups you join, and the posts you engage with to identify shared interests with other users.
For example, if you and someone else both follow a page about gardening or are members of a hiking group, Facebook may suggest that person as a friend to you. Shared interests and activities can be a basis for forming connections and friendships on the platform.
4. Location-based suggestions
Facebook may use location-based information to suggest friends who are near you geographically. If you and someone else are in the same city or region, Facebook might suggest that person as a friend to you. This is especially useful for connecting with people in your local community or area of interest. Location-based suggestions can help you expand your social network and discover new connections in your vicinity.
How to hide your account from appearing on people’s suggested list
While Facebook’s suggested friend section is excellent for finding new friends, only some enjoy being shown profiles they don’t know. Thankfully, Facebook allows users to control how their information is displayed, and users can choose to opt out of being suggested to other users.
To hide your account from appearing on people’s suggested friend list, follow these steps:
- Launch the Facebook app and locate the menu icon (three lines in the top right corner);
- Scroll down and choose “Settings & Privacy,” then click on “Settings.”
- Select “Privacy”> “How People Find and Contact You”
- From the options displayed, click on “Who can send you friend requests”> “Everyone.”
- Deselect the box beside “Allow others to suggest you to friends” and go back.
How to turn off friend suggestion notifications
Facebook is known for also sending notifications when it discovers a potential person you might know. These notifications can add up, making your profile look untidy, plus they can be annoying with the constant pop-ups.
Thankfully, users on the platform can disable this notification to keep their devices tidy. This can be done on mobile devices and laptops.
How to turn off Friend suggestion notifications on mobile
- Click on the hamburger icon located either at the top-right or bottom-right corner to access the menu;
- Select Settings & Privacy, located below Help & Support, which might require scrolling to locate;
- Choose Notifications, found under the Preferences section near a bell icon;
- Tap People You May Know, positioned between Friend Requests and Birthdays;
- Toggle off the Icon “Allow Notifications on Facebook” to halt notifications and friend suggestions;
- You might get a confirmation prompt; tap Turn off to confirm the switch-off.
How to turn off Friend suggestion notifications on a desktop
- Navigate to the top-right corner of Facebook and click on the arrow icon;
- Select Settings & privacy, located under Give Feedback;
- Choose Settings next to the gear icon, which will redirect you to your Settings page;
- Locate Notifications on the left-side panel above Mobile and click on it;
- Find People You May Know, positioned between Friend Requests and Birthdays;
- Turn off the switch labeled “Allow Notifications on Facebook.”
- This action will prevent Facebook from sending you notifications and suggestions related to potential friends.
How do I remove a friend’s suggestion?
If you don’t find a suggested friend helpful, you can remove it. Doing this can make the “People you may know” feature show you better suggestions in the future. To remove a suggested friend, click on “Remove” next to their name in your Friends list or on the picture of the person you want to remove in your News Feed.
Does Facebook suggest people who have looked at my profile?
No, Facebook does not suggest friends based on who has viewed your profile. Facebook does not provide information about who has visited your profile, and this data is not used to generate friend suggestions.
Finally
Facebook’s friend suggestion algorithm primarily relies on factors such as mutual friends, shared networks, common interests, and location to recommend potential connections. Users need to understand these aspects to better manage their friend suggestions and privacy settings on the platform.
