Facebook does not suggest friends based on profile searches or stalking. Although some users claim to have seen patterns where searching or stalking someone’s profile led to them being suggested as friends, Facebook denies these claims. So, how does Facebook actually suggest friends? Let’s dive into it.
Table of Contents
- How Does Facebook Suggest Friends
- What Happens When Someone Stalks Your Profile?
- How To Appear On Someone’s Facebook Suggestions
- How To Prevent Your Account From Showing Up As Suggested
- How To See Facebook Suggested Friends
- Conclusion
How Does Facebook Suggest Friends
To prevent any confusion, Facebook has shared its suggested friends algorithm with the public. Here are the factors Facebook considers when suggesting friends:
1. Mutual Friends
If you and another person share common friends, Facebook may recommend them as a friend, assuming a connection exists.
2. Contacts
If you allow Facebook to access your contacts, it will search for those contacts’ Facebook profiles. If they are not your friends on Facebook, they may appear as suggested friends.
3. Shared Contacts
Similarly, if the other person has your number saved in their contacts and allows Facebook access to their contacts, you may be suggested as a friend.
4. Matching Profile Data
If your profile data matches with another person’s, such as attending the same school or working at the same place, Facebook may suggest them as a friend.
5. Proximity
If you provide location access to Facebook, it can suggest friends who are near you. This can also happen if your workplace or event locations match with potential friends.
6. Similar Facebook Activity
If you and a stranger engage in shared activities on Facebook, such as joining the same group or being tagged in the same post, Facebook may suggest them as a friend.
7. Follower/Following
If one of you follows the other on Facebook (without being friends), you may be suggested as a friend. This includes past follows as well.
8. Group Chats
If Facebook Messenger creates a group chat with you and other Facebook users, Facebook may suggest those users as friends based on the assumption of a connection.
9. Instagram Connections
Since Facebook and Instagram are related, if your Instagram followers are not your friends on Facebook, Facebook may suggest them as friends.
What Happens When Someone Stalks Your Profile?
Contrary to popular belief, stalking someone’s Facebook profile has no effect. Facebook does not notify the other person, you won’t appear on their suggested friends list, and no app can reveal who stalked your profile. Stalking on Facebook is harmless and has no consequences.
How To Appear On Someone’s Facebook Suggestions
If you’re interested in someone and want to appear on their Facebook suggestions, simply stalking them won’t help. Here are some actions you can take:
1. Follow Them
Following someone is a subtle way to approach them without adding them as a friend. It allows you to see their posts and notifies them of your follow. Eventually, you may start appearing in their suggested friends list.
2. Get Mutual Friends
Facebook mostly suggests friends who have mutual friends with you. Consider following or adding their friends to create a stronger connection in Facebook’s algorithm, increasing the chances of being suggested as a friend.
3. Add Them to Your Contacts
If you have someone’s phone number, adding it to your contacts and enabling Facebook’s access to your contacts may result in Facebook suggesting them as a friend.
4. Follow Them on Instagram
As Instagram and Facebook are linked, following the person on Instagram increases the chances of being suggested as a friend on Facebook.
How To Prevent Your Account From Showing Up As Suggested
If you find it uncomfortable to appear as a suggested friend to strangers who can easily view your profile, follow these steps to enhance your privacy:
- Launch Facebook.
- Click on the three-line Menu button in the top-right corner.
- Go to Settings and Privacy, then select Settings.
- Scroll to Audience and Visibility and click on How People Find And Contact You.
- From the drop-down menu, choose Only Me.
Now, only you can search for profiles and add friends on Facebook. Your profile will not be visible to others unless they are already your friend.
How To See Facebook Suggested Friends
If you’re new to Facebook and want to find people with similar connections or suggested friends, follow these steps:
- Launch Facebook and go to the Menu (three-line button in the top right).
- Click on Friends.
- You will now see Suggested Friends along with your existing friends.
Facebook also casually shows suggested friends while you’re browsing your feed, so you’re unlikely to miss it.
Conclusion
If you were wondering whether all the suggested friends on Facebook were people who stalked or searched your profile, the answer is no. Facebook considers various factors to suggest friends based on connections and mutual interests. However, there are other reasons why Facebook might recommend friends to you. If you’re interested in similar topics, check out How To See Who I Am Following On Facebook?
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