Facebook allows users to report or “flag” posts that they believe violate the platform’s Community Standards. When a post gets flagged, it is reviewed by Facebook’s content moderation team to determine if it should be removed. But what about the person who posted it – can they see who flagged their content?
The short answer
No, when a Facebook post is flagged, the person who originally posted it is not able to see who flagged it. Facebook does not share information about who reported a post with the poster.
Why Facebook doesn’t reveal who flagged a post
Facebook has a few reasons for keeping flaggers anonymous:
- To protect privacy – People may flag posts for personal reasons that they don’t want known.
- To prevent retaliation – If identities were known, some users may try to “get back” at whoever flagged them.
- To encourage flagging – Anonymity makes people more likely to flag rule-breaking content.
Facebook sees flagging as an important tool to maintain a safe community. They want to remove content that violates policies, without creating bad blood between users. Keeping flaggers anonymous helps facilitate this.
What happens when you flag a post?
When you flag a Facebook post or other content, here is the process:
- You fill out a report explaining why you believe the content violates Facebook rules.
- The report goes to Facebook’s content review team.
- The team investigates whether the reported content breaks any rules.
- If it does, the team will remove the post. Otherwise, they will allow it to remain.
- The original poster is notified only if their content gets removed. They are not told who flagged it.
So the flagger remains anonymous throughout the process. The poster will not be able to see their name or any identifiable information about them.
Will I get notified if I flag a post?
In most cases, no. If you flag a post on Facebook you will not receive any notifications about the outcome. The only exception is if you are reporting a profile or page as fake – then you may get an update if Facebook disables that account.
But for flagging specific posts or photos, you likely will not hear back. Facebook does not inform people who make reports whether action was taken. This again protects anonymity.
What types of posts commonly get flagged?
Any post may be flagged if someone believes it breaks Facebook rules. But some types that often get flagged include:
- Hate speech or threats
- Fake or false news
- Spam or scams
- Graphic or violent content
- Bullying or harassing messages
- Intellectual property violations
- Private or confidential information
- Sexually explicit material
Basically any post that seems hostile, inappropriate, or illegal stands a good chance of being flagged by users.
What happens if I flag content in error?
If you flag a Facebook post that does not actually violate any policies, no action will be taken. The post will stay up and nothing will happen to the original poster. Facebook’s review team will determine that the post does not warrant removal.
Many posts are flagged that turn out not to break rules. These erroneous flags do not create problems for the poster or flagger. But you should still aim to only flag questionable posts that seem to genuinely violate standards.
Can I get in trouble for flagging benign posts?
If you intentionally and repeatedly flag posts that do not violate policies, Facebook may determine you are abusing the reporting system. In that case, they can revoke your ability to flag posts. But a few honest mistakes will not lead to any consequences. You would have to show a clear pattern of misusing flagging before Facebook might consider disciplinary action.
Should I tell a user I’m going to flag their post?
That’s up to your discretion. Some people may warn someone that they plan to flag a post to give them a chance to remove it first. But you are not obligated to do this. If you feel a post clearly violates Facebook’s rules, you can report it right away without comment. The decision often depends on your relationship with the original poster.
What criteria does Facebook use to assess a flag?
Facebook has published Community Standards that spell out what is and isn’t allowed on the platform. Here are some key areas they look at when reviewing a flagged post:
- Violence and criminal behavior – Does the post promote these?
- Safety – Does it put people at risk of harm?
- Objectionable content – Is it hateful, abusive, or obscene?
- Integrity and authenticity – Is it spam, fake, or a scam?
- Respecting intellectual property – Does it use copyrighted material?
- Content involving minors – Does it exploit children?
These standards guide Facebook’s content reviewers in deciding whether flagged material warrants removal. The post needs to clearly conflict with guidelines in order to be taken down.
Can I appeal if my post is removed after being flagged?
Yes, if one of your Facebook posts is removed after being flagged, you can appeal the decision. Simply log into Facebook and find the post that was taken down. An option will appear to request a review. Explain why you believe the post should not have been removed under Facebook’s rules. The appeal will go back to the content review team, who will take another look and make a final judgement.
What percentage of flagged posts get removed?
Facebook receives millions of flags daily, but only a fraction result in content removal. According to Facebook’s stats:
- Between July and September 2022, users flagged 84 million pieces of content.
- Of those, Facebook took action against 3.2 million items (4%).
- So around 96% of flagged posts were found not to violate standards.
The majority of flags likely come from well-meaning users out of caution. But most flagged posts ultimately do not meet the bar for removal. Facebook’s reviewers deny most requests.
Can I see a log of my flagged posts?
No, Facebook does not provide users with a log or history of their posts that have been flagged or reported. You will only know about flags on posts that are removed. Active and untouched posts are not labeled or identified as having been flagged. So there is no way to track or view a tally of your flagged posts.
Should I flag every post I disagree with?
Definitely not. The flagging tool should only be used on posts that seem to genuinely violate Facebook’s rules. Just because you dislike or disagree with a post does not mean it should be flagged. Flagging should be reserved for material promoting hate, illegal activity, nudity, and other clear rule violations. It should not be used just to take down opinions you oppose.
Conclusion
Getting a post flagged on Facebook can be concerning, but at least you do not have to worry about the identity of the flagger being revealed. For privacy and safety reasons, Facebook keeps flagging anonymous. While it can be frustrating not knowing who targeted your content, the anonymity encourages more open flagging of rule-breaking material that helps keep Facebook safe and orderly.