Scrolling through Instagram, you might encounter a section titled “Who You Might Know” showcasing profile suggestions. This seems straightforward, but this section can spark some questions. For instance: Who exactly are these people, and how did they end up on your feed?
In this article, we’ll tell you what “Who You Might Know” on Instagram means, expose the factors influencing these suggestions, and show you how to manage them for a more personalized experience.
The Meaning of Who You Might Know on Instagram
The “Who You Might Know” section presents a list of Instagram profiles that the platform thinks you might be interested in following. These suggestions are based on various factors that aim to connect you with people you might already know in real life or share things in common with online.
Factors Influencing “Who You Might Know” Suggestions
Here’s a breakdown of some key elements that contribute to the “Who You Might Know” suggestions:
- Facebook Connections: If you’ve linked your Instagram account to Facebook and your Facebook friends have also connected their accounts, they might appear as suggestions on Instagram.
- Phone Contacts: If you’ve granted Instagram access to your phone contacts, it might use phone numbers to identify accounts belonging to people in your contact list.
- Engagement with Similar Accounts: Do you frequently like and comment on posts from a particular creator? Instagram’s algorithm might suggest profiles of similar creators, assuming you’d be interested in following them as well.
- Location Tags: If you often add location tags to your posts, Instagram might connect you with other users who frequently post from the same locations.
- Hashtag Usage: The hashtags you use in your posts can influence suggestions. Instagram might recommend profiles that frequently use similar hashtags, suggesting potential shared interests.
Benefits and Drawbacks of “Who You Might Know”
The “Who You Might Know” feature offers several benefits:
- Reconnecting with Old Friends: You might rediscover friends or acquaintances you haven’t connected with on Instagram yet.
- Discovering New Interests: Suggestions can introduce you to profiles you wouldn’t have found otherwise, leading to exciting new content or communities.
However, there are also potential drawbacks:
- Irrelevant Suggestions: The algorithm might not always get it right, leading to suggestions from people you don’t know or have no interest in following.
- Privacy Concerns: Some users might find it intrusive if their profiles appear in suggestions based on phone contacts or location data.
Influencing the “Who You Might Know” Algorithm
While you can’t directly control the algorithm that generates “Who You Might Know” suggestions, you can influence it by interacting with content you enjoy.
Liking and commenting on posts from accounts you enjoy sends signals to the algorithm about your preferences. This can indirectly influence the types of profiles suggested in “Who You Might Know.”
Managing your interests also helps. Do this by clicking on the three-dot icon at the top right of any suggested posts or reels on your feed and selecting “Interested” or “Not Interested.”
Use these strategies to manage suggestions and seek out connections that enrich your Instagram experience. Explore, connect, and create a space for meaningful interactions on your Instagram.
