20 Ways to Get Your Friend to Like You More & Fall in Love With You

You like this person, but the problem is… they are your friend. So now you’re wondering how to get your friend to like back. Here are some tips to help you.

There’s not much more frustrating than a friend who just doesn’t like you back. You’ve been their friend for what seems like ages and yet, you just can’t get any further than being friends with them. Knowing how to get your friend to like you isn’t something that comes naturally. In fact, not many people know how to do it.

And that’s why there’s this magical, irritating thing called the friend zone.

It’s basically a nice little place someone puts you in when they want you in their life but don’t want to date you. Which means if you like them, you’re kind of screwed.

[Read: Friend zone or interested? 14 ways to decode’s your crush’s mind]

Being in the friend zone isn’t always bad, though

As much as it seems like the worst place to be when you have strong feelings for them, it’s actually one of the best places because it’s much easier to learn how to get your friend to like you when you have frequent access to them. You know them the best. You’re always right there.

This gives you so many opportunities to squeeze your way past that friendship barrier and get them to like you. So don’t look at this as a curse when really, it’s a huge blessing. [Read: 13 naughty ways to get out of the friend zone in no time]

How to get your friend to like you when you’re stuck in the friend zone

It can be very irritating. You’re putting your feelings on the line, not to mention your friendship. But if you want the payout to be big, you’ll have to be willing to risk those things.

Because dating your friend isn’t easy. You have to think about so much more than if they just say yes or no.

If you’re truly ready to go for it and you want to know how to get your friend to like you, follow these tips.

1. Stop letting them talk about their crush

Or about anyone they used to or still do like. When you become their vent and they feel as though they can talk to you about their feelings for other people, you’re cutting off their ability to see you as a potential partner.

Instead, you need to just change the conversation or even tell them you’re not a fan of hearing about the people they have crushes on. This also sends the message that you hope to be one of those people someday. [Read: How to flirt with a friend – 18 ways to tease them without being weird]

2. Don’t talk about other people you like around them

If you like your friend as way more than just a friend, you need to stop making them think you like other people. You might just do this as a way of hiding how you feel but it just makes them think you truly are into other people.

How are you ever supposed to get them to like you when they’re under the impression you’re into someone else? Keep quiet if you think other people are attractive, too.

3. Compliment them in new ways

You probably have your standard friendship compliments they’ve heard a hundred times. Tell them something else. Talk about how you think their hair looks amazing or how incredible they are for landing that promotion.

Doing this flatters them and also shows them that you’re seeing them in a new light. When the compliments change, they’ll pick up on the fact that your feelings have, too. [Read: 50 very cute and flirty things to say to your crush and get them thinking of you]

4. Flirt!

A huge difference between friends and people who are dating is flirting. If you’re not flirting with your friend, you’ll never break down that friend zone wall.

You need to start sending the signals that you like them and there’s no better way than flirting.

Start making cute jokes, complimenting them in better ways, and moving in closer. Increasing that intimacy is essential if you really want to know how to get your friend to like you. [Read: How to flirt by subtle touch without making it obvious]

5. Show them your sensitive side

If your friend has never seen you be cute and romantic, how will they ever be able to look at you that way? Show them you can be sensitive and adorable. Tell them something you’ve never told anyone else.

Opening up and showing them something very personal can help them see you in a new light.

When you’re vulnerable, you bond closer with someone and that’s what you need to do if you want to know how to get your friend to like you. [Read: 20 questions to ask to show her your sensitive side]

6. Make them think of you as a significant other

Have they ever seen you be a partner to someone? If you’ve been single the entire time you’ve been friends or they haven’t seen you be a boyfriend or girlfriend, show them what it would be like.

Talk about how, if you had a boyfriend or girlfriend, you’d do certain things for them. As a matter of fact, show them. Just act like they’re yours already and they’ll see just how much they mean to you.

7. Don’t spend too much time together anymore

You can’t spend every waking moment together and expect anything to change. You need to separate that and slow down.

This way, they’ll be extra excited to see you and they can see what life would be like without you, which won’t be good. [Read: How to seduce a friend subtly and find out if they’re into you as well]

8. Let them miss you

Haven’t you ever heard that distance makes the heart grow fonder? Instead of just cutting your hangouts shorter, spend longer amounts of time away from them, too.

Make them come to you. If they miss you, they’ll see how much they truly need you in their life. [Read: How to make someone realize they’re losing you]

9. Look good

We can’t deny that humans like people who are attractive.

As much as we all like to say we’re not shallow in that way, physical attraction is essential to a healthy relationship. So, start dressing nicer and looking for put together. They’ll definitely notice. [Read: How to look sexy, be sexy and feel sexy without trying too hard]

10. Sit closer than you normally do

This is all about closing the distance between the two of you and climbing over that friend zone wall.

If they sit on the couch, sit right next to them. Getting closer is also a huge way of showing how much you like them.

11. Touch them more

Physical touches increase intimacy by a lot. You really need to be actively closing that distance and showing them that you can be sweet and gentle, too.

Next time you see each other, give them a hug. Put your hand on the girl’s lower back if you’re a guy. Ladies, touch him on the arms and shoulders when he makes you laugh.

It’s all about those little touches that’ll ignite something new in your friendship that’ll slowly burn into something more. [Read: 20 types of physical touches and what they mean]

12. Treat them as a significant other and not a friend

Fake it ‘til you make it, right? Act as though they’re already your boyfriend or girlfriend. Do all the sweet and adorable things you’d do for someone you’re dating.

Showing them this side of you and that they could have even more of it is a perfect way to get them to start liking you. You just have to be yourself and learn what it takes to make someone feel special and loved. [Read: How to kiss a friend accidentally and get away with it]

13. Tell them you have feelings for them

If all else fails, just tell them. Chances are, if you’ve done all of the above things, they already know you like them as more than a friend. Sometimes there’s just nothing more you can do and they might not like you back.

If this happens, just separate yourself from them for a little bit so you can get over them. This distance might actually make your friend realize they like you as more than a friend, too. [Read: How to be just friends with someone you love without losing your mind]

What to do if you can’t get out of the friend zone

So, you’ve tried everything above to get your friend to like you. But if you are still stuck in the friend zone, that can really stink.

You are probably feeling down on yourself, but try not to feel that way. Here are some things you can do to make yourself feel better. [Read: How to get out of the friend zone through text one text at a time]

1. Get a makeover

It doesn’t matter if you’re a guy or a girl, why not change up your look? Get a new haircut, maybe add some highlights, or try a completely new color.

The makeover isn’t so you can change your friend’s mind. Because you might already know that they don’t feel the same way about you. This is all about you! Try a new look and get adventurous. You’ll be a new you… and feel great! [Read: How to be more attractive – 31 ways to play up your best features]

2. Start working out!

Maybe you already work out, so if that’s you – ignore this tip. But if you don’t, why not start taking care of yourself better?

We always feel better about ourselves when we look and feel good. Plus, we should always try to be healthier anyway, so why not start now?

3. Go on dating apps

It’s time to forget this friend. Well, you don’t need to stop being friends with them. All you need to do is just accept that it’s never going to happen, at least in a romantic way. And that’s okay!

So, you need to find someone else now that you can fall head over heels for.

You deserve someone who likes you back. In fact, that’s what you want! Try dating apps. That’s a great way to meet new people. But take them seriously, and don’t just do it for amusement or to pump up your ego. You want to actually find someone who you will be a good match with. [Read: The 16 best hookup apps you can use this year – What do you want in a hookup right now?]

4. Hang out more with your other friends

Maybe you put all your eggs in this friend’s basket. You hung all of your hopes on the possibility that they might like you back. And in doing so, perhaps you have ignored some of your other friends. [Read: How to escape the friend zone – 13 actions that make you desirable]

Get back out there with them and party! Distract yourself. Go do new things so you won’t be thinking about the friend who doesn’t like you back. Have so much fun with the other friends that you don’t even think about any rejection you may have experienced.

5. Raise your self-esteem

When a friend doesn’t like us back, it can take a toll on our self-esteem. We wonder… what’s wrong with us? Am I not attractive enough? Is it my personality? Why am I not good enough?

But there is nothing wrong with you! You’re awesome.

So, make a list of all the great qualities you have. No, this is not narcissistic. It is an act of self-love. Writing down the list makes you realize how great you are, and how stupid your friend is for not feeling the same way about you. [Read: How to make anyone like you – 25 ways to draw people closer to you]

6. Don’t take it personally

It’s easy to take this personally, but really, it’s not about you. It feels like it, but it’s really not. Think about it. Your friend likes you as a person, right? Or else they wouldn’t be friends with you to begin with.

But everyone has a “type.” Maybe you naturally have blonde hair and blue eyes. But your friend really prefers someone with dark hair, skin, and eyes. It’s just their “thing.”

Well, you can’t change your genetics! So, it’s not about you. It’s just that they think you’re not their “type” for some reason.

7. Understand that it’s probably for the best

Don’t get caught up in the “what ifs.” Stop trying to figure out if maybe “one day” they will change their mind. Well, you can’t control that. Whether they ever think of you in a romantic way is not your business. So, just assume it won’t happen, and that it is for the best.

Now you can make a space in your life for someone who is perfect for you. You might have thought this friend was the one, but clearly, they aren’t. And that’s a good thing, because now you have the opportunity to find your perfect match!

[Read: How to get out of the friend zone through texts one text at a time]

Learning how to get your friend to like you back can be especially difficult if you’ve only been friends for a very long time. And maybe you’ll succeed, but maybe you won’t. But whatever happens, keep a positive attitude… because that’s all you can do.