Why Is Instagram Suggesting My Contacts & How To Not

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✎ Key Takes:

» To prevent Instagram from suggesting your account to your contacts, deselect the box next to “Similar account suggestions.”
» By doing so, your account won’t be recommended to others for follow suggestions. Additionally, you have the option to disable the Contact syncing feature on Instagram.

» You can further mitigate recommendations by removing the linked phone number from your account or by denying Instagram permission to access your contacts.

You can prevent Instagram from suggesting your account to others by removing the linked Facebook account from your Instagram profile.

Why Is Instagram Suggesting My Contacts:

These are the following points you must consider in this case:

1. Synchronization with Phone Contacts

When Instagram suggests your contacts, it’s because the app syncs with the contacts stored on your phone. This entails Instagram scanning your phone’s contact list to identify potential connections on the platform.

Therefore, if any of your contacts have phone numbers linked to Instagram accounts, the app will suggest those contacts to you. It’s important to note that this feature aids in discovering friends, acquaintances, or contacts who are also active on Instagram.

2. To Match Similar Information

When this occurs, it’s a result of data matching and the presence of similar information across platforms. Instagram might analyze different data points, including phone numbers, email addresses, or other identifiable information, to find matches with existing Instagram accounts.

As a result, contacts with similar details in their profiles or those who have connected their accounts to the same contact information may be suggested. It’s important to bear in mind that Instagram utilizes this information to enrich your networking and social interactions on the platform.

3. For Doing Mutual Interactions

As you notice Instagram suggesting your contacts, it’s primarily driven by mutual connections and interactions. The app recognizes users who share mutual connections with you, like friends or followers, and suggests their profiles. Instagram seeks overlaps in your network to identify potential connections you might wish to follow or engage with.

This facilitates effortless discovery and connection with individuals who share mutual connections, promoting a sense of community and broadening your social circle. You have the freedom to follow or engage with these suggested contacts according to your preferences.

4. Profile Discoverability

You may observe Instagram suggesting your contacts depending on your profile discoverability settings. If your account is configured to be discoverable via phone number or email, Instagram might recommend contacts who have saved your contact details on their phones. As a result, these contacts may be suggested to you. If you prefer to avoid Instagram suggesting your contacts, you can modify your profile settings accordingly.

How To Not Suggest Your Instagram Account:

There you can follow the below methods:

1. Turn Off the Suggestions Box

If you wish to prevent Instagram from suggesting your account to others, you can do so by deselecting the suggestions option in the Edit Profile section of your account.

Instagram routinely recommends and suggests accounts to potential followers. While this can help you gain followers, some users may find it intrusive if their account is suggested to individuals they don’t wish to follow them. However, this can be easily addressed.

Instagram offers an option where you can choose whether you want your account to be suggested to potential followers. If you opt in by selecting this option, Instagram will only suggest your account to individuals who may be interested in following you, thereby aiding in gaining followers.

On the other hand, if you opt out by leaving the option unchecked, your account won’t be suggested as a recommendation to others.

This method is applicable only on the web version of Instagram. Here are the steps you need to follow:

🔴 Follow These Steps:

Step 1: Go to instagram.com and log into your account.

Step 2: Use a mobile browser in desktop mode or log in using a laptop through a web browser.

Step 3: You’ll be directed to the homepage of your Instagram account.

Step 4: In the top right corner, click on the profile picture icon, then select the Profile option.

Step 5: You’ll land on your profile page. Click on Edit profile.

Step 6: On the subsequent page, locate the option “Similar account suggestions” at the bottom of the screen.

Step 7: Next to it, you’ll find a checkmarked box. Uncheck the box, then click on Submit.

2. Turn off Contact Syncing

Instagram displays and recommends your account to users who are in your contact list or have your phone number saved on their devices. Uploading or syncing contacts serves the primary purpose of identifying accounts linked to the numbers in your phone book.

This feature is beneficial when you wish to locate your friends or potentially have your account suggested to others. However, if you prefer not to have your contacts discover your Instagram account or receive it as a suggestion, disabling the contact syncing option is advisable.

Instagram periodically synchronizes your contacts to facilitate the discovery of each other’s accounts. Disabling contact syncing can prevent your account from being suggested to others.

🔴 Follow These Steps:

Step 1: Open the Instagram application.

Step 2: Log into your account.

Step 3: Click on the profile picture icon.

Step 4: You’ll be directed to the profile page.

Step 5: Click on the three lines icon.

Step 6: Next, click on Settings. Then click on Accounts.

Step 7: You’ll see a list of options. Click on Contacts syncing.

Step 8: Disable the switch on the next page by swiping it to the left. Click on Disconnect.

3. Remove Phone Number from Account

Your profile may be suggested to users who have your linked mobile number saved on their devices.

To address this issue, simply remove the mobile number linked to your account. Instagram accounts are typically linked either by a phone number or by an email ID.

🔴 Follow These Steps:

Step 1: Open the Instagram application.

Step 2: Log into your profile.

Step 3: Go to the profile page and click on the Edit Profile option.

Step 4: Next, click on Personal information settings, displayed in blue on the following page.

Step 5: You’ll be directed to the next page where your phone number is listed.

Step 6: Click on the phone number and erase it.

Step 7: Finally, click on the arrow icon to submit the changes.

4. Delete Particular Contacts

If you wish to prevent certain people from finding you on Instagram, you can opt to delete their contacts from your phone book. By doing so, your account won’t be suggested to them on their Instagram profile.

Removing their contacts from your device reduces the likelihood of them seeing your profile as a suggested or recommended account to follow.

5. Deny Permissions to Access Your Contacts

If you refuse Instagram permission to access your contacts, they won’t be uploaded to your Instagram account, preventing the display of annoying suggestions.

Even if you lack a person in your contacts but share a mutual follower, your account may still be suggested to them. Denying Instagram permission to access your contacts resolves this issue promptly.

🔴 Follow These Steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Click on Apps and Permissions.

Step 3: Next, select App Manager.

Step 4: You’ll be presented with the list of apps on your device. Click on Instagram.

Step 5: Then, navigate to Permissions. Click on Contacts and then select Don’t allow.

6. Remove Linked Facebook from Instagram

Instagram suggests your account to users who are friends with you on Facebook, but this occurs only if you’ve initially linked your Facebook and Instagram accounts. Facebook also allows contact uploads to find associated Facebook accounts.

If you wish to prevent your Instagram profile from being suggested to others, unlink your Facebook account from your Instagram account.

Disconnecting your Facebook account can also eliminate suggestions to follow accounts of your Facebook friends. Here’s how to unlink your Facebook account from Instagram:

🔴 Follow These Steps:

Step 1: Open Instagram and log in to your account.

Step 2: Next, navigate to your profile page and click on Accounts Center.

Step 3: Under the Profiles header, you’ll see your linked Facebook account.

Step 4: Click on Accounts under Account settings.

Step 5: Then, click on the Remove button next to your Facebook account option.

Step 6: Confirm by clicking on Continue. Then, click on Remove (profile name).