Facebook makes it easy to connect with people, but finding someone by location can be a bit tricky. Whether you’re looking for an old friend, a colleague, or someone you met recently, you can use different Facebook search tools to narrow down your search based on their city, town, or general location.
In this guide, we’ll show you three simple ways to find people by location on Facebook.
1. Use Facebook’s “People You May Know” Feature
Facebook’s “People You May Know” feature suggests people based on shared connections, interests, and location.
How to Use This Feature:
- Open the Facebook app or go to Facebook.com.
- Click on the Friends tab.
- Scroll down to “People You May Know.”
- Look for users who have your desired location listed in their profile.
- Click “Add Friend” or visit their profile for more details.
📌 Tip: If you enable location services on Facebook, it improves suggestions based on nearby users.
🚫 Limitations: You cannot manually filter suggestions by location, but Facebook does this based on your activity.
2. Use Facebook’s Search Bar with Location Filters
Facebook’s search bar allows you to find people by typing in their name + location or using advanced filters.
How to Search for People by Location on Facebook:
- Open Facebook and tap on the search bar.
- Type the person’s name + city (e.g., John Smith New York).
- Press Enter and go to the “People” tab.
- Click on Filters (on mobile) or See All (on desktop).
- Select City and enter the desired location.
- Browse the results and visit profiles to find the right person.
📌 Tip: If you’re unsure of the full name, try searching with just the first name + city or workplace + location.
🚫 Limitations: This method only works if the user has made their city public in their profile.
3. Search Facebook Groups Based on Location
Many people join local Facebook groups for their city, workplace, or hobbies. Searching within these groups can help you find someone in a specific area.
How to Search for People in Facebook Groups:
- Go to Facebook and click on the Groups tab.
- Type the city or town name in the search bar (e.g., “Los Angeles Community”).
- Join a relevant group.
- Once inside the group, click on the Members tab.
- Use the search bar within the group to find a specific person by name.
📌 Tip: Many local groups have posts like “New to the city?” or “Networking in [City]”—check the comments for potential matches.
🚫 Limitations: Some groups require approval before you can search for members.
FAQs About Finding People by Location on Facebook
1. Can I search for someone on Facebook by their city or town?
Yes! You can search for someone by their city using Facebook’s search bar and applying the location filter under the “People” tab. However, this only works if the person has made their location public.
2. How do I use the Facebook search bar to find someone by location?
- Open Facebook and go to the search bar.
- Type the person’s name + city (e.g., John Smith New York).
- Click Enter and go to the “People” tab.
- Use the Filters option to enter the specific city.
- Browse profiles to find the right person.
📌 Tip: If the full name doesn’t work, try just first name + city or workplace + location.
3. Why can’t I find someone on Facebook using their location?
Possible reasons include:
- Their profile is private, and they haven’t shared their location.
- They have disabled search visibility for their account.
- They use a nickname or different name on Facebook.
- You’re searching with incorrect spelling or details.
✅ Solution: Try using mutual friends, workplaces, or groups to locate them.
4. Can I find someone on Facebook without knowing their name?
Yes! If you don’t know their full name, try:
- Searching for their workplace, school, or college.
- Checking mutual friends’ friend lists.
- Browsing local Facebook groups.
- Using “People You May Know” suggestions.
5. How do I find people in my area using Facebook groups?
- Go to Facebook Groups and search for a city-based group (e.g., Los Angeles Networking).
- Join the group and click on the “Members” tab.
- Use the search bar within the group to find people by name.
📌 Tip: Many groups have introductions and local discussions—check posts and comments for familiar names!
6. Can I search for someone’s exact location on Facebook?
No, Facebook does not allow users to search for an exact location due to privacy reasons. You can only filter by city or general area if the person has shared that information.
🚨 Warning: Be mindful of privacy and avoid using third-party tools that claim to track exact locations—they may violate Facebook’s policies.
7. Does Facebook’s “People You May Know” feature suggest users based on location?
Yes! Facebook suggests people based on:
✅ Location (if enabled)
✅ Mutual Friends
✅ Workplace, School, or Interests
📌 Tip: If you enable location services, Facebook improves friend suggestions based on people nearby.
8. How can I improve my Facebook search results when looking for someone?
- Try different name variations (e.g., “Mike” instead of “Michael”).
- Check their friends’ profiles for tagged photos or comments.
- Search using their workplace, school, or hometown.
- Join local Facebook groups where they might be active.
9. Can I use Facebook Marketplace or Events to find people in my city?
Yes!
- Facebook Marketplace: Check listings in your city and browse profiles of sellers/buyers.
- Facebook Events: Look for local events and check the “Going” or “Interested” list to find attendees.
10. How do I search for people in a specific country on Facebook?
- Open Facebook and use the search bar.
- Type the person’s name + country (e.g., Sarah Johnson Canada).
- Click Enter and go to the “People” tab.
- Apply the Location filter and select the country.
📌 Tip: This works best if the person’s profile settings allow their country to be visible.
Final Thoughts
Finding people by location on Facebook is easier when you use:
1️⃣ “People You May Know” – Quick and automatic, but lacks custom filters.
2️⃣ Facebook Search with Location Filters – Best for finding people with public location info.
3️⃣ Local Facebook Groups – Ideal for finding people in specific communities.
Using these three methods, you can track down old friends, business contacts, or new acquaintances in your city! 😊
