Let’s learn how to stop Snapchat from suggesting friends. Also discover why Snapchat suggests friends, how the feature works, and what triggers unwanted recommendations.
Snapchat is one of the most popular social media platforms, but many users are frustrated with one particular feature — friend suggestions. Whether they show up in Quick Add or elsewhere in the app, these suggestions often include people you don’t know or don’t want to connect with.
This guide, we will explains how Snapchat generates these suggestions, why you might see strangers, and most importantly, how to turn off or minimize friend suggestions using in-app settings and proven workarounds.
What Are Snapchat Friend Suggestions Based On?
Snapchat’s friend suggestion algorithm determines who shows up in your Quick Add list or other friend recommendation areas. The app uses various signals to suggest users, including:
Mutual friends: If you share friends with someone on Snapchat, they might appear as a suggestion.
Synced contacts: If you’ve allowed the app to access your phone’s contact list, it will suggest people from it.
Shared group chats: Snapchat might recommend others who are in the same group chat.
Location data: Users nearby may appear if you use Snap Map.
Public content engagement: Viewing or interacting with public Stories or Spotlight content can trigger suggestions.
These data points work together to build a network of possible connections, even if some of those suggestions feel inaccurate or invasive.
Why Does Snapchat Suggest Friends I Don’t Know?
You’re not alone if you see unfamiliar names in your friend suggestions. Snapchat’s algorithm sometimes overreaches or uses indirect signals to recommend users.
Reasons you might see people you don’t know include:
Someone has your number: If another user has your phone number saved and has synced their contacts, you may appear in each other’s suggestions.
One-off interactions: Viewing a public Story or sharing a group with someone can cause Snapchat to flag them as a potential friend.
Shared data: Someone you know may have interacted with the person, creating a loose mutual connection.
Cross-platform signals: Bitmoji or other third-party integrations can also feed data into Snapchat’s friend suggestion system.
This is why Snapchat may seem to be suggesting complete strangers — even if you’ve taken steps to control your data.
When You Get a Friend Suggestion on Snapchat, Does the Other Person Get It Too?
No — Snapchat does not notify people when they are suggested to someone else.
However, if you choose to add someone from Quick Add, they will receive a notification that you’ve added them. They’ll also have the opportunity to add you back, but unless you act on the suggestion, it remains invisible to them.
This is a one-way process. You’ll never know who you’re being suggested to, and the same is true for others unless you engage.
How to Turn Off Friend Suggestions on Snapchat
Snapchat doesn’t offer a simple “turn off all friend suggestions” button. However, the methods below can help you significantly reduce — and in some cases eliminate — them.
Hide Your Profile from Quick Add
his removes you from other users’ Quick Add lists.
Steps:
Tap your profile icon > Settings. Scroll to “See Me in Quick Add”. Toggle it off
This prevents Snapchat from suggesting your account to others based on mutual friends or shared groups.
Delete Synced Contacts
Even if you’ve turned off syncing, Snapchat may retain past contact data.
Steps:
Go to Settings > Manage > Contacts. Tap “Delete All Contacts Data”
This removes all previously uploaded contact data Snapchat might use for suggestions.
Turn Off Contact Syncing
Even if you’ve disabled contact syncing, Snapchat might still have stored contact metadata. There’s a hidden option that lets you delete all that info.
Steps:
- Open Snapchat > Tap your Profile.
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll to Manage under “Additional Services.”
- Tap Contacts.
- Tap the small blue link that says Delete All Contacts Data.
This clears previously synced contact information and may stop or significantly reduce friend suggestions based on your phone book.
Limit Who Can View Your Stories
Public story views can trigger friend suggestions based on shared engagement.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > View My Story
- Choose “Friends” or “Custom”
This limits exposure to strangers and minimizes unwanted suggestions.
Set Your Age to 13
Snapchat restricts certain features for underage accounts, including friend suggestions.
Steps:
Go to Settings > Birthday
Set your birth year so your age appears as 13
Save the settings
Note: This may disable other features like Snap Map or Bitmoji customization. Use with caution.
Snapchat+ Privacy Tools (Optional)
Some Snapchat+ users report enhanced privacy options, including better control over Quick Add. However, Snapchat has not officially confirmed this feature.
Snapchat+ may offer some benefit, but it should not be relied on as your main method for hiding friend suggestions.
Additional Privacy Tips for Snapchat Users
In addition to disabling friend suggestions, the following privacy settings can help improve your overall Snapchat experience:
Enable Ghost Mode: Prevents location-based suggestions by hiding your location on Snap Map
Map > Settings > Enable Ghost Mode
Restrict who can contact you
Settings > Contact Me > Select “My Friends”
Restrict who can view your Cameos
Settings > Use My Cameos Selfie > Choose Only Me
Review your Story and Spotlight privacy settings regularly
Maintaining strong privacy settings not only reduces unwanted friend suggestions but also minimizes the risk of spam or harassment on the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I permanently turn off friend suggestions on Snapchat?
Not officially. But by hiding yourself from Quick Add, deleting contact data, and adjusting privacy settings, you can significantly reduce or eliminate them.
Why is Snapchat suggesting random people?
These suggestions often come from shared group chats, contact syncing by others, or mutual engagements. The app may interpret weak social signals as a reason to recommend someone.
Does changing my birthday to age 13 really work?
Yes. Snapchat restricts certain social features for underage users, including friend suggestions.
Can I remove specific suggestions?
There is no feature to dismiss or remove individual suggestions. Your only option is to ignore them or block the account.
Conclusion: Regain Control Over Your Snapchat Experience
While Snapchat makes it easy to connect with friends, it can just as easily overwhelm users with irrelevant or invasive friend suggestions. Unfortunately, there’s no official “off” switch — but the strategies above can help you limit and manage how Snapchat uses your data to suggest connections.
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