Facebook friending etiquette

Ok, I can’t take it anymore. It seems like almost every day I get a Facebook friend request from someone I don’t know. And each time there is no message sent with the request. Just a friend request with no explanation.

Now, I’m more than happy to make connections with people I don’t know as long as I know how the connection was made. However, if I don’t know someone and he/she gives me no reason to connect, why would I take the risk of opening up my network and personal life to that person?

If you want to friend someone on Facebook and you don’t know that person personally, send a brief note with the request that explains who you are and what your reason is for connecting. It will make the other person feel more comfortable and start the connection off on the right foot.

  • Teresa Comstock Russel

    Amen!

  • Michael Reynolds

    Now LinkedIn or Smaller Indiana requests, on the other hand, I tend to accept no matter what.

  • Adam Lapsevich

    Michael, I say you are RIGHT on the button here! So what do you say to someone who connects with you and you want to be nice but you don’t feel it’s appropriate to connect as “friends”…. “Fans” yes, “Friends”… not yet. How do you handle this?

  • Adam Lapsevich

    Your article struck a chord with me and prompted me to write something on my blog. I think from now on, when I get messages on my FB personal page, I’m going to politely ask them to read this page:

    http://adamlapsevich.com/2010/03/28/how-to-properly-handle-friend-requests-on-facebook-its-like-dating/

  • Michael Reynolds

    Good question! I have a templated reply that I paste in that politely asks the person how they know me and why they want to connect. If they don’t respond within a week or so, I’ll ignore the request. If they at least give me some basic information (i.e. we met at one of my speaking gigs, etc.) then I will accept the connection.