There are a few potential reasons why you might be seeing the same person repeatedly at the top of your suggested friends list on social media. Most social media platforms use algorithms to determine who to recommend you connect with based on a variety of factors. So why does one person keep appearing over and over? Here are some common explanations:
You have many mutual friends or connections
Social media platforms look at how many friends or connections you already share with a person. If you and the person at the top of your list have a high number of mutual friends, the platform’s algorithm gives them a boost thinking you are more likely to know them or want to connect. The more friends or connections you share, the higher up they may appear for you.
You have interacted with their profile before
If you’ve liked, commented on, messaged, or otherwise interacted with this person’s profile in the past, the algorithm remembers this and gives them an engagement boost. Frequent profile interactions signal to the platform that you’re interested in that user, making it more likely their profile will be suggested to you.
You are part of the same groups or networks
Belonging to some of the same online groups or networks can also cue the algorithm to suggest that person. For example, being in the same Facebook groups, LinkedIn networks, or subreddits on Reddit gives you something in common. The platform may pick up on this shared group membership and put that person in your suggested friends list thinking the connection would interest you.
You are demographically similar
Many platforms tailor their algorithmic friend suggestions based on demographics like location, age, education, employer, or interests. If you and the recommended user are demographically similar, like living in the same area or having the same alma mater, the platform may be signaling that you would get along.
You visited their profile recently
Algorithms notice when you specifically seek out a person’s profile by searching for them or clicking directly on their profile. Visiting someone’s profile indicates interest, so the platform responds by suggesting that person thinking you want to connect. The more recently you engaged with the profile, the more weight that activity carries.
Your profiles are linked or associated
On some platforms like Facebook, your profiles may be linked if you are “friends of friends.” Even if not directly connected, the algorithm sees your association and factors it in. Some services also look for connections like shared posts or tags between profiles which could prompt a suggestion.
Their profile is highly active or popular
If the repetitive suggested friend has an extremely active account that posts often, has many followers or friends, or is often liked and commented on, platforms may rank them highly. Highly active and popular profiles generally indicate an influential user, so the service suggests them thinking they will interest you.
Why You Keep Seeing the Same Suggestion
The reasons above explain why a platform’s algorithm picks certain people to suggest to you initially. However, they don’t necessarily account for why you would keep seeing the same suggestion over and over. Here are some reasons that one profile may get stuck at the top:
You have not interacted with the suggestion
Typically, when you accept or reject a friend suggestion, the algorithm adjusts to your feedback. However, if you simply keep scrolling past the same suggested profile time after time without engaging, the platform doesn’t get any signals from you. Without any feedback to tweak it, the algorithm keeps presenting the same suggestion.
The profile boost is very strong
Sometimes a profile gets such a strong boost from the algorithm that it takes precedent over all other suggestions. This can happen if you and the suggested user have an extremely high number of mutual connections, very frequent interactions, extremely similar demographics, or some other factor giving them an extra strong relevance signal. A powerful algorithmic boost can cause the platform to keep promoting that profile above others.
Their account activity remains high
Accounts with continuous high activity tend to stay at the top since the algorithm favors influential profiles. As long as the suggested user keeps up frequent posts, comments, likes, etc., they will likely keep showing up as a top pick even if you do not engage with them. Their ongoing high profile engagement overrides other changing algorithm factors.
Limited network effect
On platforms where you have a relatively small friend network, the algorithm has fewer potentially relevant profiles to suggest. This can lead it to rely too heavily on one profile while having few comparisons to switching up the suggestions. A limited friend network produces a restrictive set of algorithmic suggestions.
You share an extremely unique trait
It’s possible you and the repetitive suggestion share a very specific, rare trait like attending an obscure school, working for a niche company, or belonging to an exclusive group. If this uniquely shared trait is strongly boosting that profile, alternative suggestions that lack the trait can’t compete. The algorithm keeps prioritizing the most relevant profile it can find.
Tips for Changing Suggested Friends
If you want to shake up the friend recommendations you see, here are some tips:
Interact with new profiles
Seek out and follow, like, or message some new accounts that interest you. Even minimal interaction with different profiles will provide fresh signals to guide the algorithm away from its repetitive suggestion pattern.
Remove shared connections
If you and the suggested friend share a lot of connections, try pruning some of those mutual contacts from your profile. Eliminating even a few shared connections may dilute the strong relevance signal being sent to the algorithm.
Leave shared groups or networks
Similarly, leaving groups you both belong to can reduce the relevance the algorithm perceives between you and the repetitive suggestion. However, be selective about only leaving inactive or irrelevant groups rather than leaving shared groups you find useful.
Update your profile details
You can shift the demographics, interests, employer, school, location, etc. listed on your profile away from being similar to the suggestion. Changing details that enhanced your shared relevance provides new profile distance for the algorithm to take into account.
Ignore the suggestion
It may seem counterintuitive, but consistently ignoring the top suggestion helps communicate lack of interest to the algorithm. As you consistently scroll past it, the platform should eventually downweight it.
Select “Not Interested”
Look for options to actively indicate you are not interested in a suggestion. Platforms like LinkedIn let you remove a suggestion which sends direct disinterest feedback.
Report or block the account
In extreme cases of an irrelevant or pesky suggested account, reporting or blocking them will ensure the platform removes them from any future recommendations. Use good judgment before blocking helpful accounts though.
When to Worry About Suggestions
Seeing the same suggested friend can be annoying but is typically benign. However, certain cases could signal a need for concern:
The person is a stranger
Getting repeated suggestions to connect with someone you have absolutely no connection to may indicate suspicious activity like hacking or a compromised account. Proceed with caution.
The person works for the platform
Sometimes platforms suggest their own employees for you to follow. But repeated suggestions for you to connect with platform employees could mean they are monitoring you.
The suggestions feel harassing
If the nature of the suggestions feels harassing, threatening, or makes you uncomfortable, take screenshots and report the activity to the platform. Consider escalating further if it continues.
The account is fake or a bot
Being bombarded with suggestions to follow fake accounts or bots could signal you are being targeted for some type of scam. Avoid engaging and block if needed.
| Platform | How to Reject Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Click the “X” next to the suggestion | |
| Tap the three dots next to the suggestion, then select “Not Interested” | |
| Click or tap the three dots next to the suggestion, then choose “Not interested in this account” | |
| Hover over the suggestion and click “Remove” | |
| Select “See Less Often” under the suggestion |
Conclusion
Being recommended the same account repeatedly can be perplexing and frustrating. However, it is usually the result of an algorithm depending too much on particular signals and lacking enough comparative data to suggest alternatives. While algorithmic friend recommendations often feel random, they are based on calculable factors. By understanding what is driving the suggestions and providing fresh signals through your own account activity, you can reset the algorithm to deliver more variety.