Thought You’d Like This: The Art of a Good Recommendation

The best suggestions start with knowing who’s on the receiving end. 

A good recommendation connects something you know with something another person might enjoy or find useful. Consider their interests, circumstances, and what they’ve asked for. Explain why it came to mind, include any practical details, and leave them room to decide. 

Someone mentions needing a new show, and you have a suggestion ready. Actually, you have six. There’s also a podcast they need to hear before watching the third one. 

Meanwhile, they were hoping for something to put on while folding laundry. 

Sharing a discovery can be a small act of thoughtfulness. A book that reminds you of a friend’s sense of humor. A restaurant that fits the dinner they’re planning. A movie you can already imagine discussing together. 

The trick is remembering that their experience may be different from yours. Something can be your favorite without becoming everyone else’s assignment. 

Start With What They’re Looking For

Before making a recommendation, find out what job it needs to do. 

Someone asking for a vacation read may want a fast mystery, a comforting reread, or a novel they can spend an entire afternoon getting lost in. “What’s a good book?” leaves plenty of room for a mismatch. 

A small follow-up question can help: 

• “Do you want something funny, suspenseful, or easy to dip in and out of?” 

• “Is this a dinner where you want to linger, or somewhere to eat before the show?” 

• “Are you looking for a quick listen or a series you can follow?” 

• “Do you want to buy something, or are you trying to use what you already have?” 

You don’t need to conduct an intake interview. One useful question may be enough to distinguish a good suggestion from a very enthusiastic guess. 

And if nobody has asked, try a simple opening: “I found something you might like. Want me to send it?” 

Explain Why You Thought of Them

“You’ll love this” carries a lot of confidence and very little information. 

A specific connection gives the other person something to work with. 

Try: 

• “The dialogue reminded me of that comedy we both liked.” 

• “You mentioned wanting a restaurant where you could actually hear each other.” 

• “This episode gets into the history of the building you pointed out.” 

• “The instructions include the measurements you said were missing from the other tutorial.” 

These details show that the recommendation came from paying attention. They also make it easier for someone to decide whether it fits. 

You can be honest about a partial match, too. “I liked the first half more than the ending, but I think you’d enjoy the setting” is more useful than declaring every book a masterpiece. 

Your enthusiasm can survive a little specificity. 

Match the Suggestion that Fits Their Life

A recommendation can fit someone’s taste and still miss their circumstances. 

The restaurant may be wonderful but outside the budget they mentioned. The series may be excellent but require more attention than they have after work. The product may solve a problem they don’t actually have. 

Consider the practical details that affect the decision. 

You don’t have to include everything. Choose the details that matter to this person. 

If a fact may have changed—hours, prices, availability, or where something is streaming—check before presenting it as current. Otherwise, say what you know: “We went last spring, so you’ll want to check the menu and hours.” 

Give Them a Place to Start

A long list can turn a helpful suggestion into another decision to make. 

If someone asks for a podcast, send an episode that shows what you like about it. If they’re curious about an artist, choose a song or album as an entry point. If they need a dinner spot, lead with the option that best fits their plans. 

One strong recommendation is often enough to begin the conversation. 

You can offer more without sending the entire archive: “Start with this one. I have a couple of others if it’s not your thing.” 

A direct link helps, too. It removes the extra step of searching for a title they half remember from a conversation in the parking lot. 

Keep the Surprise Intact

Explaining why something is good can become an accidental demonstration of everything that happens. 

For books, movies, and shows, stick to the premise, tone, and qualities you enjoyed. You can describe sharp dialogue, an unusual setting, or a satisfying pace without walking someone through the ending. 

Even “You will never see the twist coming” changes how a person watches. 

If someone wants more detail, ask how much they’d like to know. Some people avoid trailers. Others read the entire plot before deciding whether to press play. 

The recommendation should leave room for the experience they prefer. 

Be Clear About What You Know Firsthand

There’s a difference between something you’ve tried, something a friend enjoyed, and something that keeps appearing in your feed. 

All three can be worth sharing. Just identify which one you’re offering. 

“I’ve used this for six months, and here’s what I like about it” provides a different kind of information than “I haven’t tried it, but the features looked relevant to what you need.” 

The same goes for professional connections. If you’re recommending a service provider, explain the work they did for you rather than promising they can handle every possible project. Ask before sharing someone’s private contact information or making an introduction. 

And if you receive a referral credit or have another connection to the recommendation, mention it plainly. That context belongs in the conversation. 

Let Them Have Their Own Reaction

You send the book. They read the book. They do not love the book. 

This can be the end of the matter. 

People bring different tastes, histories, and moods to the same experience. Their reaction doesn’t erase yours, and it doesn’t require a closing argument. 

Try “What didn’t work for you?” if you’re both interested in discussing it. Or simply, “Fair enough. I liked the pacing, but I can see how it might feel slow.” 

The same flexibility applies when they haven’t gotten around to it. A recommendation doesn’t create a deadline. 

You can follow up naturally when the subject comes up again. Repeatedly checking whether someone has watched, read, bought, or booked your suggestion can turn a friendly gesture into homework. 

Make Your Next Recommendation Personal

Before sending something, finish this sentence: 

“I thought of you because…” 

If the answer connects to something they enjoy, need, or recently mentioned, include it in the message. If the answer is mostly that you loved it and want someone to talk to, you can say that, too. 

“I just finished this and would love to discuss it if it sounds like your kind of book” is an invitation someone can comfortably accept or decline. 

That little bit of context is often what makes a recommendation feel personal. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Okay to Recommend Something You Haven’t Tried?

Yes, as long as you’re clear about it. Say where you heard about it and why it seems relevant. Avoid presenting someone else’s experience—or a promotional claim—as your own. 

How Do You Recommend Something Outside Someone’s Usual Taste?

Give them a familiar point of connection. You might suggest a science-fiction story because they enjoy character-driven mysteries, then explain that connection without insisting it will change their mind about the entire genre. 

What If Someone Keeps Recommending Things You Don’t Enjoy?

Thank them for thinking of you and offer more useful direction. “I’m looking for shorter, lighter shows right now” gives them something concrete to work with. You can also say you aren’t looking for more suggestions at the moment. 

Do You Need to Explain Why You Didn’t Follow a Recommendation?

No. A simple “I haven’t gotten to it” or “I don’t think it’s for me” is enough. If you want to discuss your reasons, you can, but you don’t owe a review. 

Send the Thought Along With the Link

The next time something brings a person to mind, tell them why. 

A sentence about their sense of humor, an upcoming trip, or a conversation you remember can make a recommendation more useful—and more meaningful. 

Then let them take it from there. You’ve shared something they might enjoy. No progress report required.