What Does “By Search” Mean on Snapchat? The Definitive Guide

On Snapchat, seeing “By Search” next to someone’s name signifies a specific way you’ve added them as a friend. It means you’ve added the user after actively searching for their username within the Snapchat application. It’s a digital breadcrumb, telling you the origin story of your Snapchat connection with that individual.

Decoding the “By Search” Notification

Let’s dive into the specifics of what “By Search” implies on Snapchat. It’s not just a random label; it provides valuable context about your connection with another user. Unlike adding someone via a Snapcode, mutual contacts, or a Quick Add suggestion, “By Search” indicates a deliberate action on your part. You knew their username (or a close approximation) and specifically looked them up.

Why Does Snapchat Display “By Search”?

Snapchat provides this information for a few key reasons:

• Contextual Awareness: It helps you remember how you initially connected with someone. With potentially hundreds of friends on Snapchat, recalling how each relationship started can be challenging. “By Search” offers a quick reminder.
• Privacy and Security: Understanding how people find you on the platform contributes to your overall awareness of your digital footprint. If a lot of people are adding you “By Search,” it suggests your username is easily discoverable, either through word-of-mouth or other channels.
• Friend Management: It can be useful when managing your friend list. If you don’t recognize someone you added “By Search,” it might prompt you to review your connections and remove those you don’t actively engage with.

The “By Search” Journey: A Step-by-Step Illustration

Imagine this scenario: You meet someone at a conference named Sarah Miller. She mentions her Snapchat username is “SarahMillerNYC.” After the conference, you open Snapchat, tap the search bar, type in “SarahMillerNYC,” and find her profile. You add her as a friend. From Sarah’s perspective, when she accepts your friend request, your name will appear with the “By Search” tag. This means she knows you took the specific action to find and add her via the search function. It wasn’t a random suggestion or a mutual friend connection.

Distinguishing “By Search” from Other Addition Methods

The nuances between “By Search” and other friend-adding methods are significant. Let’s explore these distinctions:

• Quick Add: Snapchat’s algorithm suggests users you might know based on factors like mutual friends, location data, and phone contacts. Adding someone through Quick Add won’t result in the “By Search” tag. Instead, it usually displays “Added you from Quick Add” on the other user’s end.
• Snapcode: A Snapcode is a unique QR code specific to each Snapchat user. Scanning a Snapcode using the Snapchat camera instantly adds the user. This method results in the “Added by Snapcode” tag.
• Contacts: If you allow Snapchat access to your phone’s contacts, the app can identify users in your address book who also have Snapchat accounts. Adding someone through your contacts will show as “Added from Contacts.”
• Mutual Friends: Sometimes, Snapchat will suggest friends of your friends. If you add someone through this suggestion, it won’t show as “By Search.” It may not show any specific method at all, simply adding them to your friend list.

Understanding these differences allows you to better interpret the context surrounding your Snapchat connections and fine-tune your privacy settings accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About “By Search” on Snapchat

Here are twelve common questions about the “By Search” feature on Snapchat, addressed with expert insights:

1. Can I Prevent People from Finding Me “By Search”?

Yes, you can limit who can find you “By Search” in your Snapchat settings. Navigate to Settings > See Me In Quick Add. Toggling this off makes it significantly harder for people who aren’t already in your contacts or mutual friends to find you. Remember, though, that if someone already has your phone number saved, they can still find you even with Quick Add disabled.

2. Does “By Search” Mean Someone Searched for My Exact Username?

Almost certainly, yes. The “By Search” indicator is strongly suggestive that the user typed in your username (or a very close variation) in the Snapchat search bar. It’s a targeted action, not a random suggestion.

3. If I Change My Username, Will the “By Search” Tag Disappear?

No, changing your username won’t retroactively affect existing connections. The “By Search” tag reflects how the connection was initially established. It’s a historical marker, not a dynamic one.

4. Can I See Who Added Me “By Search”?

Snapchat doesn’t provide a comprehensive list of everyone who added you “By Search.” You’ll only see the tag next to a user’s name when you view your friend list or when they accept your friend request. There isn’t a dedicated “Added Me By Search” section.

5. Is “By Search” Always Accurate?

While generally accurate, there might be rare instances where the tag is misleading due to glitches or edge-case scenarios. However, these are uncommon. The vast majority of the time, “By Search” accurately reflects how the connection was made.

6. Does “By Search” Imply Anything About the Nature of the Relationship?

Not necessarily. It simply indicates the method of addition. The nature of the relationship (friend, acquaintance, professional contact, etc.) is independent of how the connection was established.

7. If Someone Blocks Me and Then Unblocks Me, Will the “By Search” Tag Change?

No, the “By Search” tag won’t change if someone blocks and then unblocks you. The addition method remains the same, even if the friendship is temporarily interrupted.

8. Does “By Search” Affect My Snapchat Score?

No, the “By Search” tag has absolutely no impact on your Snapchat score. Your score is determined by the number of snaps you send and receive, the stories you post, and other engagement metrics within the app.

9. Can I Remove the “By Search” Tag from My Profile as Seen by Others?

No, you cannot directly remove the “By Search” tag from how others see your profile. It’s a permanent indicator of the initial connection method.

10. If I Delete and Re-add Someone, Will It Still Say “By Search”?

If you delete someone and then re-add them, the tag will reflect the new addition method. So, if you search for them again and add them, it will show “By Search” again, even if it previously showed something else.

11. Is There a Limit to How Many People Can Add Me “By Search”?

No, there’s no technical limit to the number of people who can add you “By Search” on Snapchat.

12. How Can I Use “By Search” Information to My Advantage on Snapchat?

Use the information to manage your online presence. If you are running a business and notice many people are finding you “By Search,” ensure your username is consistent across all platforms and easy to remember. If you are concerned about privacy, adjust your settings to limit who can find you using this method. Understanding how people connect with you allows you to tailor your online strategy accordingly.