Are you tired of receiving constant notifications from Instagram about people you might know? You’re not alone. Many users find these notifications annoying and want to turn them off. In this comprehensive guide, we will explain how Instagram suggests people you might want to follow and the data it collects to make these suggestions. We will also provide step-by-step instructions on how to stop receiving the “people you may know” notifications on Instagram.
Understanding Instagram’s Suggestions
Instagram uses a sophisticated algorithm to suggest people you might know and want to follow. These suggestions are based on various factors, including saved contacts, friends of friends, people near your location, mutual friends, and connections from other platforms like Facebook. The platform aims to enhance communication and community-building by connecting users with relevant accounts.
Data Collection by Instagram
To make accurate suggestions, Instagram collects and analyzes a vast amount of data. Every action you take on the platform, such as liking posts, commenting, and watching videos, is tracked by the algorithm. Additionally, since Instagram is owned by Facebook, it also suggests friends and mutual friends from your Facebook network.
Instagram also accesses your contacts to suggest people you may want to follow. It tracks your search history and sends notifications based on the profiles you visit frequently or search for. Moreover, Instagram suggests following people who are friends of your friends. The platform may collect additional data, including the websites you visit, your location, and the device you use.
It’s important to note that Instagram has a comprehensive data policy in place. For more detailed information on data collection and usage, you can visit Instagram’s official data policy page.
How to Stop “People You May Know” Notifications
If you find the “people you may know” notifications on Instagram bothersome, there are several ways to disable them. Let’s explore these options and provide step-by-step instructions.
1. Turn off “Similar Account Suggestion” on Instagram
While Instagram does not have a specific setting to turn off “people you may know” notifications, there is a workaround available on the web version of Instagram. This setting prevents your account from being shown as a suggested friend to others, reducing the frequency of these notifications.
To turn off “Similar Account Suggestion” on Instagram, follow these steps:
- Open instagram.com in your web browser on your PC or smartphone.
- Log in to your Instagram account using your username and password.
- Click on your profile icon in the top right corner.
- From the drop-down menu, select “Settings.”
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and find the option “Similar Account Suggestion.”
- Uncheck this option to turn off “people you may know” notifications on Instagram.
Some Reddit users have reported success with this setting in stopping these notifications. Here is a thread discussing how to stop “people you may know” notifications on Instagram.
2. Make Your Instagram Account Private
Making your Instagram account private can help reduce the number of “people you may know” notifications. While it won’t directly turn off these notifications, it limits the visibility of your account to only approved followers.
To make your Instagram account private, follow these steps:
- Tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner of the Instagram home page.
- Tap on the hamburger menu in the upper right corner.
- Select “Settings” from the menu.
- In the settings menu, tap on “Privacy.”
- Enable the “Private Account” option.
By making your account private, you have more control over who can see your content and potentially reduce the number of suggested friends.
3. Do Not Allow Instagram to Access Your Contacts
If you have granted Instagram permission to access your contacts, it will suggest people from your contact list who are not yet your friends on the platform. Disabling this access can help eliminate some of the “people you may know” notifications.
To disallow Instagram from accessing your contacts, follow these steps:
- Go to the settings on your phone.
- Navigate to “Apps and Notifications.”
- Find Instagram from the list of apps and select it.
- Tap on “Permissions.”
- Locate and tap on “Contacts.”
- In the following menu, choose the option to “Deny” access.
By denying access to your contacts, Instagram won’t be able to suggest people based on your contact list.
4. Disconnect Your Facebook Account from Instagram
If you have connected your Facebook account to Instagram, the platform may suggest friends from your Facebook network. Disconnecting your Facebook account can help reduce the number of “people you may know” notifications.
To unlink your Instagram account from Facebook, follow these steps:
- Open the Instagram app and tap on your profile icon.
- Tap on the hamburger menu.
- Go to “Settings” and select the “Account” option.
- Tap on “Linked Accounts.”
- Choose “Facebook” and select “Unlink Account” (iPhone) or “Unlink” (Android).
- Confirm by tapping “Yes, Unlink.”
Once unlinked, Instagram won’t use your Facebook connections to suggest friends.
5. Turn Off All Notifications from Instagram
If you have tried all the above methods and still receive numerous “people you may know” notifications, you can consider turning off all notifications from Instagram. This will prevent any notifications from reaching you, including DMs, likes, comments, and stories.
To turn off all notifications from Instagram, follow these steps:
- Tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner of the Instagram home page.
- Tap on the hamburger menu in the upper right corner.
- Tap on the settings icon at the bottom right.
- Select “Notifications” from the settings menu.
- Turn on the option to “Pause All.”
By pausing all notifications, you will finally turn off the annoying “people you may know” notifications on Instagram. However, keep in mind that this will also disable other important notifications from the platform.
6. Delete Unwanted Contacts from Your Contact List
Since Instagram suggests “people you may know” based on your contacts, removing unwanted contacts from your phone or Google account can help reduce these notifications. Delete the numbers of people whom you do not want to be friends with on Instagram.
7. Unfollow Random People on Instagram
If you have followed random people on Instagram, either to increase your follower count or make new friends, consider unfollowing them. By limiting the number of people you follow to those you know personally, you can avoid unnecessary suggestions from Instagram.
8. Disable Location Permission for Instagram
Instagram uses location data to suggest people you might know in your area or who have visited similar locations. Disabling location access for Instagram can reduce the number of “People You May Know” notifications.
To disable location permission for Instagram on an iPhone:
- Go to your iPhone’s settings.
- Scroll down and tap on “Privacy.”
- Tap on “Location Services.”
- Find Instagram in the list of apps and tap on it.
- Select “Never” to disable location access for Instagram.
To disable location permission for Instagram on an Android device:
- Go to your Android device’s settings.
- Scroll down and tap on “Apps” or “Application Manager.”
- Find Instagram in the list of apps and tap on it.
- Tap on “Permissions” and click on “Location.”
- Choose “Deny.”
By disabling location access, Instagram won’t suggest people based on your location data.
9. Remove Personal Details from Facebook
If you have connected your Facebook account to Instagram, the data from your Facebook profile may be used to suggest people you might know. Removing personal information from your Facebook profile can indirectly reduce the number of “People You May Know” notifications on Instagram.
For example, if you have listed your educational history or other private details on Facebook, Instagram may suggest people who went to the same school or have similar attributes. Remove such details from your Facebook profile if you do not want Instagram to use them for suggestions.
Conclusion
Turning off the “people you may know” notifications on Instagram is a common desire for many users. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can reduce or eliminate these notifications according to your preferences. Remember to customize your privacy settings, disconnect Facebook, and manage your contacts to enhance your Instagram experience. Enjoy a more personalized and focused Instagram feed without the constant intrusion of suggested friends.
