In this article, we’re considering the algorithm that inspires the ‘People You May Know’ feature – specifically whether these are all users who have visited your profile and who Facebook then assumes you may know or want to become friends with.
The truth is that while profile visits do have an impact on whether a user is recommended to you through Facebook or not, this is far from the only criteria. What’s more, it’s important to note that while the ‘People You May Know’ could be users who search for and visit your profile, it is just as likely that you are the regular visitor on their profile.
With that in mind, let’s look at all the different elements that contribute towards who shows up on your ‘People You May Know’ list.
What Is the ‘people You May Know’ Feature?
As you scroll through your Facebook feed, every so often you will see a carousel of users under the heading ‘People You May Know’.
These are not people who have added you on Facebook and are awaiting your response – rather, they are users that Facebook has chosen to connect you with to see if you want to add them as a friend.
How Does Facebook Determine the ‘people You May Know’?
Facebook decides who to display in the ‘People You May Know’ feature using the following data and insight:
- Mutual friends and whether you share lots of friends
- Location check ins and events you have both attended
- Shared networks and communities, including those linked to location
- Similar interests and activities
- Whether you have each other’s numbers saved in your device
NOTE: If you aren’t keen on Facebook tracking and keeping hold of this much information about you, you may decide to switch off the feature completely.
To do this, click on the three dots button at the top of the ‘People You May Know’ section on your feed and select ‘Hide People You May Know’.
We hope this helps! If you’re keen to build your Facebook community and find more people to become friends with on the app, then this is a feature that you will probably want to keep active and working behind the scenes of your Facebook app. If you want to maintain your privacy and prevent Facebook from turning your activity into an algorithm for community growth, then you can turn the feature off.
