The basic steps to add someone on Facebook

To add a friend on Facebook, search for their name or profile using the search bar at the top of your screen, click on their profile, and then click the "Add Friend" button. Facebook will send them a friend request, and they'll see it in their notifications. Once they accept, you'll both be able to see each other's posts, photos, and basic profile information depending on what privacy settings each of you has chosen.

The person you're adding doesn't have to accept right away. Your request sits in their notifications until they respond. If they decline, you won't be notified, but you can send another request after some time has passed. If you change your mind before they respond, you can cancel the request by going back to their profile and clicking "Cancel Request."

Key Takeaways

  • Search for someone by name using the search bar, then click "Add Friend" on their profile to send a request.
  • The other person will see your request in their notifications and can accept, decline, or ignore it.
  • You can add people you know in real life, people from your email contacts, or people Facebook suggests based on mutual friends.
  • Once someone accepts your request, what they can see on your profile depends on the privacy settings you've chosen for each post and photo.
  • If someone declines your request or you want to remove a friend later, you can do that from their profile or your friends list.

Finding people to add using search

The search bar is the fastest way to find someone. Click the search icon at the top of Facebook (it looks like a magnifying glass), type the person's name, and press Enter. Facebook will show you profiles that match, usually with the most likely match at the top. Look for the person's profile picture and any mutual friends listed below their name — mutual friends are a good sign you've found the right person.

If the name is common, you may see many results. Look for other details that match what you know: their workplace, school, city, or mutual friends. Once you find the right person, click on their profile to open it fully, then look for the "Add Friend" button, which is usually near the top of their profile next to their name.

Adding people from your contacts and suggestions

Facebook can find people from your phone's contact list or your email account. Go to your settings (click the menu icon in the bottom right corner on mobile, or the downward arrow in the top right on desktop), select "Friends," then "Find Friends." You can choose to upload contacts from your phone, Gmail, Outlook, or other email providers. Facebook will show you which of your contacts already have Facebook accounts and suggest adding them.

Facebook also suggests people you might know based on mutual friends, shared networks, or schools you both attended. These suggestions appear in your notifications or on your Friends page. You don't have to add anyone Facebook suggests — these are just recommendations. If you see someone you don't want suggestions from, you can click the X next to their name to dismiss the suggestion.

What happens after you send a friend request

When you click "Add Friend," Facebook sends a notification to that person. They'll see your name and profile picture in their friend requests section. They have three choices: accept the request (making you friends), decline it (rejecting the request), or do nothing (leaving it pending). Most people respond within a few days, but some requests can sit for weeks or months.

While your request is pending, the person can still see your public posts and information, but you won't be able to see their full profile or send them messages unless they've allowed messages from non-friends. Once they accept, you'll both be able to see each other's posts and information based on each person's privacy settings.

Managing friend requests you've sent

You can see all the friend requests you've sent by going to your profile, clicking "Friends," then "Friend Requests." This shows both requests you've sent that are still pending and requests you've received from others. If you want to cancel a request you sent, click "Cancel Request" next to that person's name. You can send another request later if you want.

There's no penalty for canceling a request or sending multiple requests over time. However, if someone declines your request, Facebook may prevent you from sending another request for a while — the exact timing varies. If you're not sure whether someone has seen your request, you can always message them directly to ask if they use Facebook.

Privacy and what friends can see

Adding someone as a friend doesn't automatically let them see everything on your profile. What they can see depends on the privacy settings you've chosen for each post and photo. You might set some posts to "Friends Only," meaning only people on your friends list can see them. Other posts might be set to "Public," meaning anyone on Facebook can see them, whether they're your friend or not.

When you add someone, review your privacy settings if you're concerned about what they'll see. You can change who can see past posts, control who can see your friend list, and decide whether friends can see your birthday or email address. These settings are in your privacy and security options, which you can reach through your settings menu.

Removing friends and blocking

If you want to stop being friends with someone, go to their profile and click the "Friends" button, then select "Remove Friend." They won't be notified that you've removed them, but they'll notice if they look at your profile and see you're no longer on their friends list. Removing someone is different from blocking them — when you remove a friend, they can still see your public posts and send you messages.

If you want to prevent someone from seeing your profile, sending you messages, or contacting you at all, you can block them instead. Blocked people can't find your profile, see your posts, or message you. You can block someone from their profile or from your settings. Blocking is more restrictive than removing a friend and is useful if someone is bothering you or you want complete separation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone see that I sent them a friend request?

Yes. When you send a friend request, the person gets a notification with your name and profile picture. They can see that you sent the request, but they won't know when you sent it unless they look at the exact time in their notifications. If you cancel the request later, they'll see that it's gone.

What if I can't find someone to add?

They may have a different name on Facebook than you expect, have a very private profile, or not have a Facebook account. Try searching for variations of their name, or ask a mutual friend to send you a link to their profile. Some people also use nicknames or have their real name hidden from search.

Can I message someone before they accept my friend request?

It depends on their settings. Some people allow messages from anyone, while others only accept messages from friends. If they don't accept messages from non-friends, your message will go to their "Message Requests" folder, and they may never see it. It's usually better to wait for them to accept your friend request first.

What does it mean if someone doesn't respond to my friend request?

They may not have seen it, may be inactive on Facebook, or may have decided not to accept it without formally declining. You can send another request after some time, or reach out to them through another method like text or email to ask if they use Facebook.

Can I add someone who has blocked me?

No. If someone has blocked you, you won't be able to find their profile, send them a friend request, or message them. The block remains in place until they remove it. You can't see that you're blocked — you'll just notice you can't find their profile anymore.