Why Does Facebook Keep Suggesting the Same Person? (Top Reasons)
Facebook’s “People You May Know” feature is designed to help users connect with potential friends using an intricate algorithm. This algorithm takes various factors into account, which can explain why you might keep seeing the same person in your friend suggestions repeatedly. In this post, we’ll explore the key reasons behind these recurring suggestions.
Why Does Facebook Keep Suggesting the Same Person? (Top Reasons).
below are top reasons for this
1. Mutual Friends
One of the strongest factors driving Facebook friend suggestions is the presence of mutual friends. When you share common connections with someone, the algorithm sees this as a signal that you may know each other, increasing the likelihood that the person will be suggested to you repeatedly.
What are mutual friends?
A mutual friend is someone who is connected to both you and the suggested person. For example, if you and another user both share a friendship with John, Facebook may see this as a potential connection and suggest that person to you.
2. Contact Information
Another reason you may see the same person suggested is if you have their contact information saved in your phone or email. If you’ve allowed Facebook access to your contact list, the platform can use this data to suggest individuals with whom you have a real-world connection.
Cross-platform connections
If you are connected with someone on other platforms like Instagram or TikTok, Facebook might assume you’d also want to connect on their platform. This cross-platform behavior enhances the likelihood of repeated suggestions.
3. Shared Work or Education Information
Sharing professional or educational details can also lead to recurring suggestions. For example, if you and another user have the same workplace listed or attended the same school, Facebook’s algorithm will interpret this as a potential basis for friendship.
Why does this happen?
Facebook assumes that people who work or study together might know each other, and therefore, suggests them repeatedly to build potential connections.
4. Location and Proximity
Your physical location can also play a part in friend suggestions. If you’re frequently near a certain individual, and you’ve allowed Facebook to access your location, the platform may suggest them to you under the assumption that geographical proximity could lead to real-life interactions.
Geolocation-based suggestions
For example, if you’ve attended the same event or live in the same neighborhood, Facebook might believe you’re likely to know each other and keep suggesting that person.
5. Interaction and Engagement
Facebook doesn’t just rely on static information like friends and contacts. Your activity on the platform plays a major role in shaping friend suggestions. The more you interact with a user, the more likely they are to appear in your friend suggestions.
Liking, commenting, and sharing
When you frequently like, comment on, or share someone’s posts, Facebook interprets these actions as signs of a potential friendship. The algorithm may see these repeated interactions as a reason to suggest that person, even if you haven’t yet added them as a friend.
6. Shared Groups and Pages
Being a part of the same Facebook groups or liking the same pages can also trigger suggestions. Shared interests, whether through groups, events, or pages, signal to Facebook that you may know the person or have common ground for building a connection.
How it works:
For example, if both you and another user are part of the same “Dog Lovers” group, the algorithm assumes there’s a higher likelihood of friendship and may repeatedly suggest that person.
Do Friend Suggestions Mean Someone is Stalking My Profile?
A common misconception is that Facebook’s friend suggestions indicate someone is stalking your profile. While Facebook doesn’t explicitly disclose when someone visits your profile, it’s possible that if someone checks out your profile and you share mutual connections, the algorithm might suggest them. However, friend suggestions are usually based on other factors, such as interactions, mutual friends, or shared interests—not necessarily profile visits.
Why Do I Get Suggestions from Strangers?
Sometimes, Facebook suggests strangers, which can be puzzling. There are several reasons for this:
- Uploaded contact information: Someone may have your contact info saved and uploaded it to Facebook without you knowing.
- Public interactions: If you’ve commented on a public post, people who see your comment may check your profile, prompting Facebook to suggest them to you as potential friends.
- Similar interests or location: Shared interests, even if you don’t know the person, can lead to suggestions. Additionally, being in the same geographic area may trigger suggestions.
Do They Get the Same Suggestion?
Yes, Facebook often makes mutual friend suggestions. This means that if a person appears in your “People You May Know” list, it’s possible that you also appear in theirs. This typically happens when the algorithm recognizes shared connections or interests.
However, it’s important to note that receiving a suggestion doesn’t necessarily mean the other person visited your profile or that either of you has seen the suggestion at the same time. The algorithm simply identifies patterns based on its numerous data points