Have you ever opened Facebook and seen a list of random people it thinks you should know? Some faces you recognize. Others, well… not so much. That’s the “People You May Know” feature, and while it can be helpful, it often feels a little weird.
Maybe you’re tired of seeing strangers pop up. Maybe it creeps you out. Or maybe you’re just trying to declutter your digital life. Whatever your reason, you’re not alone. The good news? You can stop Facebook from showing it.
Let’s walk through how to disable—or at least reduce—the “People You May Know” recommendations. Don’t worry. This won’t take long and you don’t need to be a tech wizard. Grab your phone or laptop and let’s dive in.
Wait, What Exactly Is “People You May Know”?
Before we kick it to the curb, let’s understand what it is.
- It’s Facebook’s way of suggesting new people for you to connect with.
- It uses data like mutual friends, your contacts, geographic location, and even whether you looked at someone’s profile… spooky, right?
- The suggestions can be legit. Or totally random.
Turns out, Facebook wants you to make more friends. Cute. But also, kinda nosy.
Step 1: Use Notification Settings
This step stops Facebook from telling you about new suggestions.
On Mobile (iOS or Android):
- Open the Facebook app.
- Tap the three lines (☰) in the bottom or top right corner.
- Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings.
- Scroll to Notifications.
- Select People You May Know.
- Turn off Push, Email, and SMS notifications.
On Desktop:
- Go to facebook.com.
- Click the down arrow in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings.
- Click Notifications on the left sidebar.
- Click People You May Know.
- Toggle off all notification options.
Done! You’ll no longer be notified about Facebook’s attempts at matchmaking.
Step 2: Remove Uploaded Contacts
Yes, Facebook may be suggesting people based on your phone contacts.
If you’ve ever given Facebook access to your contacts, you might be feeding the suggestion machine without realizing it.
Here’s how to fix it:
On Mobile:
- Open the app and go to the menu (☰).
- Tap Settings & Privacy → Settings.
- Scroll and tap Upload Contacts.
- Turn off contact uploading.
Bonus: Clear already uploaded contacts!
Visit this page and click Delete All Contacts.
This tells Facebook to forget all those names and numbers you gave it. Clean slate!
Step 3: Limit Location Access
No, turning off location services won’t cut it. But it’s a start.
Facebook sometimes uses your location to suggest people who hang out around you. Freaky, right?
On Your Phone:
- Go to your phone’s main Settings.
- Find Facebook in the apps list.
- Tap on Permissions or Location.
- Choose Deny or Only While Using the App.
Even better: check in the Facebook app itself.
- Go to Facebook Settings.
- Tap Location.
- Turn off Location History.
Your mystery neighbor with three mutual friends won’t show up as often now. Success!
Step 4: Hide Suggestions on Your Feed
Still seeing unwanted friend suggestions right on your News Feed?
You can’t nuke the feature completely, but you can hide individual suggestions.
Here’s a quick trick:
- When you see a “People You May Know” box, click the three dots next to it.
- Select Remove this suggestion.
- You can also report or block, if things get weird.
Facebook uses this input to adjust what it shows you—so don’t be shy about clicking “No thanks.”
Bonus: Get Nosy with Privacy Settings
If you’re serious about staying low-key, look deeper.
Here’s what you can do:
- Limit who can look you up using your email or phone number.
- Set your friends list to “Only Me”.
- Don’t accept every stranger who adds you (unless you like surprises).
Steps to boost your privacy:
- Go to your Privacy Settings.
- Adjust everything that involves discovery—especially “Who can send you friend requests?” Change it to Friends of friends or No one (via audience tools).
The less Facebook knows, the fewer awkward face suggestions you’ll get.
Can I Disable “People You May Know” Completely?
Here’s the twist: You can’t fully turn it off. Facebook doesn’t allow users to disable the feature entirely.
But don’t worry! By following the steps above, you’ll seriously reduce how much it pops up.
Think of it like putting the feature in low-power mode.
Why Do People Want to Turn It Off?
Great question. Here’s what users often say:
- “It’s creepy.” Why is my ex’s ex’s roommate showing up?
- “I want fewer notifications.” So many pings!
- “It’s mentally exhausting.” Social overload is real.
- “It suggests people I don’t want to talk to.” Enough said.
No matter your reason, know that you’re doing this for your own peace of mind. And that matters.
Final Thoughts
Facebook wants us to connect. But that doesn’t mean we need to connect with everyone.
Disabling or reducing “People You May Know” isn’t just about tech. It’s about control, boundaries, and making your Facebook feed a place you actually enjoy.
Remember:
- Turn off notifications.
- Stop uploading contacts.
- Limit location data.
- Hide suggestion boxes.
- Set strong privacy rules.
No more mystery faces. No more “Do I know this person?” mental gymnastics. Just you, owning your social space.
Go ahead. Take charge of your feed. You got this!
