How does Facebook suggest friends?

 Facebook suggests friends through a combination of algorithms and user-provided data. Here are some of the key factors that Facebook likely takes into account:

1. Mutual Friends: If you have friends in common with someone, Facebook may suggest that person as a friend to you. This is a straightforward way to connect people who have a social connection.

2. Shared Networks: If you and another person are part of the same network, like having attended the same school or worked at the same company, Facebook may suggest that person as a friend.

3. Contact List and Address Book Matching: If you've uploaded your phone contacts or email address book to Facebook, and someone in your contacts joins Facebook and uploads their contact list with your information in it, Facebook may suggest you as a friend to each other.

4. Location: If you and another person are in close physical proximity, Facebook might suggest you as friends. This can happen if you both frequently visit the same places or if you both list similar location information in your profiles.

5. Interactions: If you've interacted with someone on Facebook, such as liking their posts or commenting on them, Facebook may suggest that person as a friend.

6. Profile Similarities: Facebook's algorithms might also look for similarities in your profiles, such as shared interests, educational background, or workplace.

7. Profile Views: If you've viewed someone's profile, especially multiple times, Facebook may suggest that person as a friend.

8. Activity on Facebook: If you and another user have similar activity patterns on the platform (liking similar pages, joining similar groups, etc.), Facebook may suggest you as friends.

9. Demographic Information: Facebook may use demographic information like age, location, and interests to suggest potential friends.

10. Machine Learning and AI: Facebook uses complex algorithms and machine learning models to analyze all of this data and make personalized friend suggestions. These algorithms are designed to continuously improve and refine their suggestions over time.

It's important to note that Facebook does not disclose the exact details of their algorithms, so the above points are based on general observations and industry knowledge. Additionally, Facebook's algorithms may evolve over time as they update their platform and policies.