Facebook is designed to facilitate and support growing circles of friends and connections, many of which transfer from the real world onto Facebook, while others are born directly on the social media platform.
Because of this and the underlying sense of community at the heart of Facebook, virtually all users will recognise the value of adding friends in growing their network and connections.
But what do you do when you click through to a user’s page and can’t see the ‘Add Friend’ button? Is there a reason why the button may be missing – and what can you do instead?
Have They Turned off Friend Requests?
Did you know that there is an option in your Audience settings that means only Friends of Friends can send you a friend request?
This essentially means that those who aren’t already connected to you on Facebook with at least one mutual friend, cannot add you as a friend.
So, if you can’t find the ‘Add Friend’ button on someone’s profile, look at whether you have any mutual friends. If you don’t, then there’s a high chance that they have blocked unknown and unconnected users from being able to add them.
Have They Reached Capacity?
Another thing that many users don’t realise is that Facebook has a maximum friend capacity.
If the individual who you are trying to add has already reached their limit on friends, then they will be unable to accept you as a new friend – and you will be unable to send that request to them!
The only way to overcome this is for them to remove some existing friends and make room for new ones to come in. You may still have the option to send them a direct message via the Messenger app, asking them to make space for you as a new friend.
Have They Blocked You?
If you go to visit someone’s profile and find that you aren’t friends and cannot re-add them as a friend, then there’s a high chance that you’ve been blocked. This is especially obvious if you were previously friends on the platform but suddenly find yourself unable to access their account or see their updates.
Again, a direct conversation is the only way to really discuss this with them – though it can be confirmed by trying to add them via someone else’s Facebook account. If another user can easily add them, then you know you have been blocked.
How to Become Their Friend Without the Button
If the ‘Add Friend’ button isn’t visible on another user’s profile, then it may be easiest for them to add you as a friend instead – especially if the privacy settings around your profile aren’t as tight as theirs.
You can have this conversation in person or via Messenger – whichever suits you best. Happy friending!
