Abstract: Methods for predicting preferred communications patterns are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request from a first user to initiate communication with a second user by a first communication method, determining a communication preference hierarchy of the second user based on a plurality of factors concerning the second user, wherein the plurality of factors include a presence state, selecting a second communication method from the communication preference hierarchy, wherein the second communication method is preferred over the first communication method in the communication preference hierarchy, and in response to the request from the first user, providing a recommendation to the first user to communicate with the second user by the second communication method. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.