Whether the add friend button resets after someone declines a friend request on social media platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn is an interesting question that many users may have experienced. The short answer is – it depends on the platform.
On Facebook
On Facebook, if you send a friend request to someone and they decline it, the add friend button does not automatically reset. This means you will not be able to send another friend request to that person right away. Here are some key points on how the add friend feature works on Facebook:
- When you send a friend request to someone on Facebook, you will see the options to “Cancel Request” or “Unfriend” under their name in your Friends list.
- If the person declines your friend request, the request simply disappears from both sides.
- You will not see an “Add Friend” button immediately. The button does not reset right away.
- You will have to wait for the button to reactivate before being able to send another request. The time it takes can vary.
- Sometimes it can take a few hours, other times it can take days or weeks for the “Add Friend” button to reappear.
- There is no set timeline. Facebook does not share specifics on how long the reset takes.
- Trying to re-send a friend request before the button resets will not work. You will get an error message if you try.
- The best option is to be patient and wait for the add friend button to activate again before sending another request.
So in summary, the add friend button does not immediately reset after someone declines a friend request on Facebook. You have to wait an undetermined amount of time set by Facebook’s algorithms before you can send another request.
On LinkedIn
LinkedIn functions a bit differently than Facebook when it comes to sending connection requests and the ability to re-send after someone ignores or declines the request.
- On LinkedIn, if you send someone a connection invitation and they decline it, the “Connect” button does reset shortly after.
- It typically takes between 24-48 hours for the button to reactivate after getting declined.
- This allows you to immediately send another connection request if you want to.
- If the person ignores the request, the button also resets after a certain time period.
- If your connection invitation gets accepted, you cannot send another one.
In summary, LinkedIn’s system does allow the Connect button to reset relatively quickly after someone ignores or declines a connection request. This gives users the ability to easily send a second request soon after the first one.
Reasons Behind the Different Approaches
Why do Facebook and LinkedIn handle the add/connect friend buttons differently after a request gets ignored or declined? There are a few potential reasons:
- User Experience – Facebook may want to limit how often friend requests can be sent to cut down on harassment. LinkedIn focuses on open business networking.
- Site Culture – Facebook started as closed networking, while LinkedIn was always about professional connections. Different approaches align with site goals.
- Membership Levels – LinkedIn has paid tiers with more connection privileges. Facebook limits all users.
- Algorithms – Facebook’s algorithms likely determine the add friend reset timeline based on many factors.
The differences come down to each platform’s overall objectives, membership framework, and desired user experience.
What Should You Do If Someone Declines Your Friend Request?
Getting a friend or connection request rejected or ignored can be disappointing. Here are some tips on what to do next:
- Respect their decision and do not harass them with multiple repeated requests.
- You can try sending another request only after the button resets. But no guarantees they will accept the second time.
- Consider if you actually know this person well enough to connect online. Don’t take it personally if a stranger declines.
- Make sure your profile looks professional and represents you in the best possible light.
- Network with mutual connections to organically build a relationship first before re-requesting.
- Evaluate if connecting with this person aligns with your goals and provides value for both parties.
With persistence, writing a personalized request note, and focusing on shared connections, hopefully you will eventually connect with the people you are interested in networking with online.
Data on Friend Request Acceptance Rates
What percentage of friend and connection requests actually get accepted? Here is some data:
| Platform | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| 63% | |
| 36% |
As you can see, the acceptance rate trends higher on Facebook compared to LinkedIn. This indicates users are more selective about who they connect with professionally versus personally. The variance may contribute to the different approaches the platforms take.
Factors that May Increase Acceptance Rates
What can increase your chances of getting a friend request accepted? Here are some helpful factors:
- Having mutual friends and connections
- Going to the same school or workplace
- Being in the same industry or niche
- Interacting offline at events and in person
- Being referred or introduced by someone
- Having an optimized, complete profile
Using these strategies could potentially boost your friend and connection request acceptance rates on both Facebook and LinkedIn.
Limits on Sending Friend Requests
Keep in mind that Facebook and LinkedIn both have limits in place around how many requests a user can send:
- Facebook – No exact friend request limit published, but excessive requests may trigger security protections.
- LinkedIn – Free users can send up to 30 connection requests per day. Paid Premium users can send up to 90 per day.
Stay within the platform guidelines to avoid any restrictions placed on your account for flooding others with requests.
Alternative Ways to Connect With People
If you are struggling to get friend and connection requests accepted, here are some other networking approaches you can try on social platforms:
- Comment on the person’s posts and engage with their content
- Join the same Facebook groups and LinkedIn groups
- Follow, like, and react to their public posts
- Send the person a message introducing yourself
- Interact in similar forums, discussions, hashtags, etc.
- Find opportunities for real-life connections at events
By engaging organically, you may be able to develop a relationship that leads to an accepted friend or connection request down the road.
Conclusion
The friend and connection request features on social platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn are useful tools for networking and expanding your contacts. But the systems do not work identically when it comes to re-sending requests after being declined or ignored.
Facebook makes you wait indefinably long for the add friend button to reset, while LinkedIn is more lenient with faster reset times. The differences come down to the distinct cultures and intentions of each platform.
With the right strategies, you can gradually increase your acceptance rates over time. But always respect people’s decisions not to connect, and leverage other organic ways to develop relationships online.