Are you browsing the ‘Quick Add’ section of Snapchat, and see people popping up with a message that says ‘3+ Mutual Friends?’
Although this can seem confusing, there’s actually a simple explanation behind it.
So, what exactly is a ‘mutual friend’ on Snapchat, and why are these specific people being suggested to it? Additionally, does this mean you’re popping up to other random people as well?
In this article, I’ll be answering all of these questions and more!
What Does It Mean When Snapchat Says 3+ Mutual Friends?
When Snapchat says that someone has 3+ mutual friends, this means that they are friends with at least 3 people that you are also friends with.
In other words, you have at least 3 friends in common.
This can be useful to quickly figure out if you know this person, and whether or not they are part of your circle of acquaintances.
Snapchat knows you are more likely to know someone if you have mutual friends in common, which may be why they’re showing up as a Quick Add suggestion!
However, I’ll talk more about how the Quick Add algorithm actually works a little later on.
For now, just know that you have friends in common with this person, so at least 3 of your friends already have them added on Snapchat.
Is There Any Way To Find Out Who These Mutual Friends Are?
So, we now know that you have at least 3 friends in common with this person. But is there any way to figure out who these people actually are?
Although companies like Facebook make this information public, Snapchat unfortunately does not.
This means that there is no easy way to figure out what mutual friends you have with someone – even after you add them!
Therefore, the only way you’ll know for sure is by asking your current friend list, and having them confirm it with you.
Personally, I’m hoping that Snapchat issues an update to provide a bit more information later on, but unfortunately this doesn’t seem likely.
How The Quick Add Algorithm Works
The truth is, the exact details of the Quick Add feature have not been made public. That being said, we have quite a few theories about how it’s likely to work, based off of similar algorithms employed by other social media companies.
The first factor, as we’ve already discussed, is mutual friends.
The more mutual friends you have in common with someone, the more likely they are to be suggested. This makes sense, as it suggests that the two of you already hang out in similar social circles, and may already know each other quite well.
Another factor may be your location. If you’ve taken Snaps at similar places – for example, the same school or the same workplace, Snapchat may put this together and suggest someone, believing that you two already spent time with each other in person.
Finally, Snapchat may use what they know about your interests to match people that are similar to you.
That being said, this is all just speculation. Snapchat has neither confirmed nor denied this is the case, but we know that other social media companies use these same strategies successfully.
Snapchat has a vetted interest in ensuring you have more friends added on Snapchat, so it makes sense that they’ll do what they can to encourage that.
Can You Prevent Yourself From Showing Up In Quick Add?
If these people are showing up as Quick Add suggestions to you, does that mean that you’re showing up as Quick Add suggestions to them, too?
Probably!
After all, since you both have the same mutual friends, it’s likely that you will show up on their Quick Add page with the ‘3+ Mutual Friends’ message as well.
To disable yourself from showing up on Quick Add, follow these steps:
- Open the Snapchat app on your phone.
- Tap your Bitmoji icon, which will pull up your profile page. This will be located in the top-left corner.
- Tap on the gear icon located in the top-right hand corner to open your Snapchat settings.
- Scroll down to the ‘Who Can…’ section.
- Tap on ‘See Me in Quick Add’
- Toggle ‘Show me in Quick Add’ to off.
From that point forward, you will no longer show up as a Quick Add suggestion to others!
Of course, you can follow the steps above a second time if you ever want to turn it back on.
Should You Add People That Have Mutual Friends With You?
Now comes the ultimate question – should you add the people that show as having mutual friends – whether it be 3+, 5+, or even 10+?
This is entirely up to you.
Personally, I like to avoid adding people unless I specifically know them, or have a reason to want to get in touch with them.
Of course, if you’re bored, you may consider doing it anyway as an opportunity to meet and talk with some new people!
Keep in mind however that most people will need to accept your friend request before messages and Snaps will actually show up for them.
Until that happens, you may see a gray arrow / box when you try to contact them on Snapchat, rather than a pink or purple one.
Conclusion
When Snapchat says that someone has 3+ mutual friends, this means that they have at least three friends in common with you.
Snapchat shares this, as it indicates that you may be more likely to know and want to add this person. Of course, whether or not you do so is entirely up to you.
I hope that this article has answered all of your questions.
If you have any other questions about Snapchat or the Quick Add feature, ask them in the comments below and I’ll be happy to help!
Wishing you the best,
– James McAllister