Method and device for adding instant messaging (IM) friend

The invention discloses a method and device for adding an instant messaging (IM) friend. The method comprises the following steps of: extracting common friends of a first IM user and a second IM user when a request that the first IM user adds the second IM user as a friend is received; acquiring first intimacy information between the first IM user and the common friends and second intimacy information between the second IM user and the common friends; judging whether both the first intimacy information and the second intimacy information reach the preset conditions or not; and if both the first intimacy information and the second intimacy information reach the preset conditions, sending the request of the first IM user to the second IM user.. According to the method and device for adding the IM friend, the generation of too many junk requests can be avoided during the process of friend finding and adding.