How to Remove Someone From Suggested on Facebook Messenger

When you search for a contact on Facebook Messenger, the app auto-suggests several contacts to start your conversation. Sometimes, you may see irrelevant contacts in the ‘Suggested’ list. While there is no way to disable ‘Suggested’ on Facebook Messenger, you can hide specific contacts from appearing on the list. Here’s how you can remove someone from Suggested People on Messenger.

While Facebook Messenger’s suggested list is handy at times, you may see your ex or friends-turned-foes on the list. You can even unfriend someone on Facebook, but you will sometimes continue to see the person on the Suggested list. Thankfully, Facebook offers an option to hide such contacts.

How Does Suggested Work in Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger has a neat way to keep you in touch with friends and family. Instead of showing your frequent contacts, the service relies on an algorithm to show contacts in the Suggested tab.

Messenger uses factors such as your contacts, location, common interests, and more. The idea is to make it easier for users to find contacts on Messenger. The app also checks your interactions and common Facebook pages to suggest contacts. At times, you may even see recently unfriended contacts in Messenger.  

What Happens When You Hide Someone From Suggested

Before we show you how to hide someone from the Suggested list, you’ll need to learn the implications of your actions.

• You see less of your contact. You won’t see the person suggested with your other contacts or their notes.
• You can still search for the person manually and start a conversation with them.

Remove Someone From Suggested on Messenger for Android

Facebook Messenger mobile apps offer neat privacy options to customize your experience. Here’s how you can exclude people from appearing on ‘Suggested’ on Messenger for Android.

Step 1: Open Facebook Messenger on Android and tap the hamburger menu at the top-left corner.

Step 2: Select the Settings gear.

Step 3: Tap Privacy & safety.

Step 4: Tap Hidden contacts.

Step 5: Select the contact menu at the top-right corner.

Step 6: Search for contacts and hide them from the following menu.

Repeat the same for all the irrelevant contacts and stop them from appearing in search suggestions.

Hide Someone From Suggested on Messenger on iPhone

Facebook Messenger privacy options are available on iPhone and iPad too. Let’s check them in action and hide contacts from Suggested.

Step 1: Launch Messenger on iPhone. Tap the hamburger menu at the top-left corner and open Settings.

Step 2: Open Privacy & safety and tap Hidden contacts.

Step 3: Tap Add at the top and select the contact you want to hide from the Suggested list.

You can’t multi-select several contacts at once and remove them from the ‘Suggested’ list. You need to select each contact individually.

Does Facebook Notify the Person

When you hide someone from Suggested on Facebook Messenger, the social media service doesn’t notify the person. After all, it’s a privacy feature, and it’s Facebook’s job to keep you anonymous.  

Do You Still Remain Friends with Hidden Contacts

You only hide a contact from the Suggested list on Messenger. The person remains in your friends list on Facebook. The person can see your posts, comments, and likes and start a conversation. If you want to hide such information, unfriend or restrict the person on Facebook.

Hide vs. Mute on Facebook Messenger

Messenger also lets you mute several contacts. When you mute someone on Messenger, the app disable messages and calls notifications for the person. You will receive messages, but the system won’t notify you. You’ll need to open the chat to check their new messages.

When the hidden person sends you a message, Messenger alerts you as usual.

How to Unhide Someone From Suggested on Messenger

If you want to see the person in the Suggested list, unhide them from Messenger settings. The steps are identical for both the iOS and Android apps. We will use Facebook Messenger for Android here.

Step 1: Open Messenger and go to Settings (check the steps above).

Step 2: Select Privacy & safety.

Step 3: Select Hidden contacts and tap Unhide beside contacts.

It may take a while before the contacts appear in the Suggested list.

Clear Your Suggested Contacts List on Messenger

Messenger suggesting your ex or unnecessary contacts can sometimes get you in trouble. You can use the steps above and hide such people from Facebook.