Having random strangers add you on Snapchat can be confusing and concerning. There are a few potential reasons why this happens. In this article, we’ll explore the main explanations and provide tips on how to handle random Snapchat friend requests.
They Found Your Snapcode Publicly
One of the most common ways strangers find your Snapchat account is if you’ve posted your Snapcode publicly. A Snapcode is like a QR code – it’s your unique ID on Snapchat. When someone scans your Snapcode using the Snapchat app camera, it automatically sends a friend request.
If you’ve shared your Snapcode on other social media profiles, websites, business cards, etc., then anyone who comes across it can add you. For example, if your Snapcode is in your Instagram bio, Twitter header, or LinkedIn profile, people will see it and scan it to connect on Snapchat.
Similarly, if you’ve posted your Snapcode in a public place like a restaurant bathroom stall or bulletin board, random passersby may add you. You may have entirely forgotten about publicly sharing your Snapcode somewhere in the past.
Solutions
- Remove your Snapcode from all public places online and offline
- Generate a new Snapcode if you feel your current one is too public
- Set your Snapchat to only accept friend requests from people in your contacts
They Got Your Snapchat Username
Another way you can end up getting random Snapchat requests is if someone comes across your Snapchat username. Just like with your Snapcode, if you’ve shared your username on other social profiles or with people offline, they can add you on Snapchat without knowing you personally.
Some common places people find others’ Snapchat usernames include Instagram bios, Twitter bios, TikTok bios, dating app bios, and even just written somewhere publicly like a bathroom stall.
Solutions
- Avoid publicly posting your Snapchat username
- Change your Snapchat username if it feels too public
- Only share your username privately with people you actually want to connect with
They Got Your Number From Elsewhere
Snapchat matches your account to your phone number. So if someone comes across your phone number from somewhere else, like if you give it out to people you meet, they can easily find and add you on Snapchat.
Giving your number out to strangers or loose acquaintances makes it really easy for them to then connect with you on social media, including Snapchat. Even if you just give your number for networking purposes, many people will go ahead and try to add you on other platforms.
Solutions
- Be more careful and selective with who you give your number to
- Use a secondary number like Google Voice for situations where you don’t want strangers contacting you
They’re Bots or Scammers
Unfortunately, bots and scammers are common on many social media platforms, including Snapchat. They may find your account through random username searches or other methods.
Often these fake accounts will have attractive profile pictures of women and generic names. They may message you flirty comments to try and trick you into installing malware or revealing personal information.
Solutions
- Don’t open or respond to any questionable snap requests
- Report and block any suspicious accounts
They Found You Via Contacts or Quick Add
Snapchat has a Quick Add feature that lets you quickly find friends by syncing your contacts, nearby users, Snapchat usernames, and more. So people you may have crossed paths with can find your account and send a request.
Similarly, if you have a friend or follower in common with someone, they may stumble upon your profile and decide to add you, even if you don’t know them.
Solutions
- Be selective in who you connect with to limit contact sharing
- Disable Quick Add in your Snapchat settings
You Have a Common Interest
If you have a public Snapchat profile or username that shows off a hobby, interest, or affiliation, strangers with similar interests may add you. For example, if you post a lot about CrossFit with a username like @london_crossfit, fellow CrossFitters in London may find you and want to connect.
Having a niche interest or belonging to a specific club/group can attract friend requests from strangers who want to bond over that common interest. After all, many people turn to social media specifically to connect with others who share their hobbies or passions.
Solutions
- Use a more anonymous or vague username
- Don’t share specific hobbies/interests on your public profile
They Know You in Real Life
While most random Snapchat adds will be from strangers, some may actually be from acquaintances in real life that want to connect online. For example, maybe a friend-of-a-friend you met once wants to chat more.
Or it could be someone you know offline but just don’t recognize on Snapchat because you’ve never seen their username/Snapcode before. They likely found you either by phone number/contacts or searching your name.
Solutions
- If you don’t recognize someone, ask how they know you or have a mutual connection before accepting
- Decline friend requests from vague real-life connections you’re not interested in talking to
They Liked Your Snaps
If your Snapchat account is public or you have friends that share your snaps, there’s a chance strangers are viewing your content. If they like what they see, they may be compelled to add you, especially if they find you attractive or interesting.
Getting added by strangers who have seen your snaps can feel intrusive. But ultimately, it’s one of the risks of having a public account or sharing your content widely.
Solutions
- Make your account private
- Be selective in who you let view your story
- Ask friends not to share personal snaps
They Mistook You for Someone Else
Sometimes random Snapchat requests are simply a matter of mistaken identity. If you have a common name, people may accidentally add you when trying to find their friend. Or they misread a similar username.
Mistaken identity friend requests can also happen if you look like someone famous. For example, people may add you thinking you’re a celebrity doppelganger based on your Bitmoji or snaps.
Solutions
- Use an original, uncommon username
- Add details to your profile like your city to avoid mix-ups
- Clarify with the person if it seems to be a case of mistaken identity
Should You Accept Random Snapchat Requests?
Getting random Snapchat requests can be perplexing, but you get to decide how to handle them. Here are some things to consider:
- Safety – Don’t accept if someone seems suspicious or fake
- Comfort level – Decline if a stranger adding you feels invasive
- Mutual connections – You may want to accept requests from friends of friends
- Shared interests – Connecting over common hobbies can be rewarding
- Curiosity – You can chat with new people to satisfy curiosity
Everyone has different comfort levels around strangers online. Trust your gut feeling when evaluating random Snapchat requests. It’s perfectly okay to ignore or decline them!
How to Prevent Random Snapchat Adds
If you want to avoid getting random Snapchat requests in the future, here are some prevention tips:
- Make your profile private
- Unlist your username from search engines
- Cover or remove public Snapcodes
- Delete your Snapchat from public bios
- Limit interactions with strangers
- Review privacy settings
- Disable Quick Add
- Block suspicious accounts
With the right settings and practices, you can enjoy Snapchat while reducing random adds and contact from strangers.
Conclusion
Random Snapchat friend requests can be perplexing, but are usually harmless. Typical causes include public Snapcodes, leaked usernames, saved contacts, Quick Add, shared interests, mistaken identity, and people viewing your public snaps. While most strangers have innocent intentions, always use caution and trust your instincts.
Carefully manage your privacy settings, online information, and friend list to minimize strangers finding your account. Make use of block, report, and decline features as needed. With the right precautions, you can safely enjoy connecting with friends new and old on Snapchat without the annoyance of unwelcome surprises.