Facebook has faced scrutiny in the past for sending friend recommendations or requests without users’ consent. Here is a look at whether this is still occurring and what users can do.
What has happened in the past?
In the early days of Facebook, the platform would automatically send friend requests to your email contacts or phone contacts who were also on Facebook. This was done without asking for permission from users first.
The idea was to help connect you with people you already knew on the platform. However, many users complained that they were sent requests to people they didn’t actually know or want to be friends with on Facebook.
In 2009, Facebook rolled out Friend Finder, which also automatically sent friend requests without permission. This feature synced your email contacts and sent requests to those people if they had Facebook accounts.
Again, users complained about receiving unwanted friend requests, and in 2011 Facebook shut down the Friend Finder feature.
Is Facebook still sending requests without my permission?
In short – no, Facebook says it no longer automatically sends friend requests without user permission. After the backlash from Friend Finder, Facebook overhauled its practices around friend recommendations and requests.
However, Facebook does still try to recommend friends for you to potentially connect with. So you may still see “People You May Know” suggestions of Facebook friends based on mutual connections, networks, workplaces, schools, and more.
But these are now only recommendations or suggestions – Facebook will not actually send a friend request without you proactively clicking to confirm that request first.
3 Tips for Managing Facebook Friend Requests
Here are 3 tips to help manage friend requests and recommendations on Facebook:
1. Adjust Your Privacy Settings
In your main Privacy Settings, you can adjust who can send you friend requests and who can see your friends list. Set this to “Friends” to limit unwanted requests.
2. Decline Unwanted Requests
Don’t feel obligated to accept friend requests, even from people you may know. It’s ok to decline or ignore them.
3. Hide Suggestions
Use the X button to hide People You May Know suggestions and remove them from your feed if you don’t want to connect.
Should I be concerned about privacy?
While unwanted friend requests are annoying, they aren’t necessarily a dire privacy concern. Here’s why:
- Facebook has limited friend suggestions to people with mutual connections or data points.
- No personal info is visible unless you accept the request.
- You can restrict who can see your friends list.
However, some users may still prefer limiting any recommendations or visibility. You can take these steps for total privacy:
Adjust These Settings:
- Disable “People You May Know”
- Disable “Do you know [person]?” prompts
- Restrict old posts when new friends are added
Limit the Information You Share:
- Don’t connect other accounts like Instagram or Messenger
- Don’t sync contacts or contacts upload history
- Don’t link websites or share timeline details
The Bottom Line
While Facebook no longer sends automatic friend requests, recommendations are still visible. Users can manage these suggestions using privacy settings and restricting account information. Ultimately it is up to each individual to decide their preferred balance between connections and privacy.
But the positive news is that Facebook has limited its platform use for friend suggestions and provided users with more control. Moving forward, always double check that a friend request is initiated by you before sending. With the right settings and discretion, unwanted requests can be avoided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Facebook recommend friends?
Facebook recommends friends in the “People You May Know” section to help users connect with acquaintances, friends of friends, coworkers, classmates, and others they may have connections with but aren’t yet friends on Facebook.
Can Facebook send a friend request on my behalf?
No, Facebook cannot send a friend request on your behalf without your express consent and initiation. All friend requests must be started by the user clicking the “Add Friend” button on a profile.
How do I stop Facebook from recommending friends?
You can disable friend recommendations in your Facebook Privacy Settings. Go to Settings > Privacy > People You May Know and disable friend recommendations.
Why do I see friends on Facebook that I’m not actually friends with?
If you see people in your Friends section that you haven’t confirmed as friends, it could be that at some point in the past you imported contacts. Check your contact import history under Settings. You can remove contacts directly from your friends list as needed.
Can people see my friends list without me approving them as friends?
No, people who are not friends with you on Facebook cannot see your personal friends list. You can restrict friends of friends from seeing your list as well through your Privacy Settings.
Key Statistics on Facebook Friends and Requests
Here are some key statistics on Facebook friends and friend requests:
| Stat | 2022 Data |
|---|---|
| Average number of friends per Facebook user | 338 |
| Percentage of users with over 500 friends | 11% |
| Average number of friend requests received per month | 5 |
Some other key facts about Facebook friends:
- Women tend to have more Facebook friends than men.
- Younger users age 18-29 tend to have more friends than older users.
- The more active a user is, the more friends they tend to have.
Tips for Managing Friend Requests
Here are some additional tips for managing friend requests on Facebook:
Sort through notifications
Occasionally go through notifications and either accept, ignore, or delete friend requests.
Update your account
Keep your Facebook page updated with your current city, hometown, schools, and employers so recommendations are more relevant.
Reassess current friends
Consider unfriending people you no longer interact with to limit broad friend recommendations.
Use the “Already friends” feature
Let Facebook know if you’re already friends with a recommended person so the algorithm learns.
Common Concerns About Facebook Friend Requests
Some common concerns that people have around Facebook friend requests include:
Getting requests from strangers
This is common as Facebook tries to connect you with friends of friends. Vet any strangers carefully before accepting.
Feeling obligated to accept requests
Don’t feel pressure to accept every request. Curate your friends list to who you want.
Requests from old contacts
It’s fine to ignore request from people you’ve lost touch with from your past if you don’t want to reconnect.
Accidental requests
Mis-clicks happen! If someone seems surprised you requested them, just apologize for the accident.
Spam or fake requests
Scammers often send requests. Check any suspicious profiles thoroughly before engaging.
How Facebook Friend Requests Can Build Community
While friend requests have downsides, they also have benefits for helping build community on Facebook. Here’s how:
- Connect you with old friends from your past
- Meet new people through mutual friends or groups
- Expand your professional or social network
- Find people who share common interests or experiences
Friend requests allow you to strengthen bonds and relationships with those you may want to keep—or reestablish—in your life. Used judiciously, they can enrich your social circles both online and offline.
Conclusion
Facebook has moved away from automatically sending friend requests to giving users more control over the process. While recommendations still appear, only confirmed requests will be sent.
Stay on top of managing friend requests by regularly checking notifications, evaluating current friends, and using privacy settings. But also take advantage of opportunities to thoughtfully expand your network and reconnect.
With Facebook’s changes and proper discretion by users, friend requests can once again become a valuable social tool rather than an annoyance.
What are your thoughts on Facebook’s current approach to friend requests and recommendations? I’d be interested to hear your perspectives in the comments!