Facebook Stories allow users to share photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. While Stories may seem ephemeral, deleting them requires an extra step. Here’s what you need to know about removing Facebook Stories.
Can you delete a Facebook story?
Yes, it is possible to delete a Facebook Story after you have shared it. However, Facebook does not provide a delete option directly on Stories the way it does for regular posts. To remove a Story, you need to go through your Facebook Activity Log.
How to delete a Facebook story
Follow these steps to delete a Story on Facebook:
- Click on the arrow in the top right corner of Facebook.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” then click “Settings.”
- On the left sidebar, click “Your Facebook Information.”
- Under “Your Information,” click “Activity Log.”
- In the filters at the top, select “Stories.”
- Find the Story you want to delete and click on the ellipses (three dots) in the top right corner.
- Select “Move to Trash” to delete the Story.
The Story will be moved to the trash folder where it will remain for 30 days before being permanently deleted. To access the trash folder:
- Follow steps 1-4 above.
- Under “Your Information,” click “Trash.”
- The page will display all deleted posts, photos, videos and Stories.
Does deleting a Facebook story delete it from everyone’s feed?
Yes, when you delete a Facebook Story, it will be removed from all of your followers’ feeds as well. They will no longer be able to view it.
Can you recover a deleted Facebook story?
If you accidentally deleted a Facebook Story, you may be able to recover it from the trash folder within 30 days. Follow the steps below to try recovering a deleted Story:
- Go to your Activity Log trash folder as explained above.
- Find the deleted Story and click the “Restore” button to put it back in your stories.
However, after 30 days the Story will be permanently deleted and irrecoverable.
Does deleting a story on Facebook delete the photos/videos?
No, deleting a Facebook Story does not delete the original photos or videos from your account. The media will still be saved in your Facebook photos and accessible from your profile or timeline. Only the Story itself is removed.
Can you delete part of a Facebook story?
Unfortunately, you cannot delete individual images or videos from a Facebook Story. The only option is to delete the entire Story. You’ll need to be careful about only including media you are comfortable sharing when creating Stories.
Can other people see if you delete a Facebook story?
When you delete a Facebook Story, it simply disappears from your followers’ feeds. There is no notification or indication that a Story has been removed. It will seem as if the Story was never shared in the first place.
How long do Facebook stories last if you don’t delete them?
By default, Facebook Stories remain visible for 24 hours from the time they are shared. After that 24 hour period, the Story automatically disappears from your profile and your followers’ feeds.
The 24 hour limit means you do not have to proactively delete Stories once they expire. However, deleting a Story before the 24 hour limit ensures it cannot be seen again.
Can you limit who sees your Facebook story after sharing?
Unfortunately there is no way to retroactively limit the audience on a Story after you have shared it. Your only options are to delete the Story or let it expire after 24 hours.
To control who can view your future Stories, go to Settings > Audience and tagging and adjust the “Who can see your future posts?” setting.
What happens when you delete Facebook?
If you delete your Facebook account entirely, all of your Facebook Stories will be permanently deleted as well. Friends and followers will no longer be able to view any of your past Stories.
Do Facebook stories save anywhere when you share them?
Facebook automatically saves all Stories to your personal Archive when you share them. You can access your Story Archive by:
- Going to your profile
- Clicking on the top left icon (three stacked lines)
- Selecting “Archive” from the menu
The Archive contains all your previously shared Stories unless they have been deleted. Keep in mind the Archive is only accessible to you.
Can you download Facebook stories to your camera roll?
Unfortunately there is no way to save Facebook Stories directly to your camera roll or mobile photos after sharing. Your only option is to download the original photos/videos before uploading them as part of a Story.
How many Facebook stories can you post in one day?
There is no official limit to the number of Facebook Stories you can share in a day. You can post as many as you want. However, keep in mind that each Story only remains visible for 24 hours.
Can you share someone else’s Facebook story?
No, re-sharing or reposting someone else’s Facebook Story is not possible. You can only view and react to others’ Stories. If you want to share the same content, you will have to download the original media and upload it yourself.
Do Facebook stories notify people when screenshotted?
No, Facebook does not notify someone if you take a screenshot of their Story. You are free to screenshot Stories without the other person knowing.
Can you save a Facebook story to your phone?
There is no direct way to download and save someone else’s Facebook Story to your camera roll or device storage. However, you can screenshot or screen record a Story and save it that way.
On iOS, screen record by opening Control Center and tapping the screen record icon. On Android, enable screen recording in the Quick Settings menu. Then open the Story you want to save and record it.
Do Facebook stories automatically delete?
Yes, Facebook Stories automatically disappear after 24 hours from when they are originally shared. You do not have to manually delete Stories once the 24 hour period expires.
The automatic deletion makes Stories feel more temporary and intimate compared to regular Facebook posts. However, you can download and save your own Stories if you want to keep a memory long-term.
Should I delete old Facebook stories?
In most cases, there is no need to actively delete expired Facebook Stories. Since they automatically disappear after 24 hours, they do not clutter up your profile or feeds. An old Story cannot be viewed after its 24 hour window.
However, you may want to manually delete an old Story if:
– You shared something accidentally or that you regret
– You want to permanently delete stories that were auto-saved to your Archive
– You don’t want old Stories to take up mobile device storage
Can you tell if someone screenshots your Facebook story?
No, there is currently no way to get notified if someone takes a screenshot of your Facebook Story. Story creators have no indication when others screenshot or screen record their content.
Conclusion
Facebook Stories provide a fun, visual way to share your moments. Take advantage of the automatically disappearing Stories, but know how to delete Stories manually just in case. Stay mindful of what you post to maintain control over your shared content.
Keep your audience in mind when crafting Stories and utilize privacy settings to limit who can view your profile. With responsible posting habits, Facebook Stories can add vibrant self-expression to your social media experience.
Facebook Stories Data
Here is some interesting data on Facebook Story usage and engagement:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Daily Facebook users that view Stories | 500 million |
| Number of businesses using Stories per month | 5 million |
| Stories that receive a reply | 1 in every 5 |
| Most common day for Story posting | Saturday |
Facebook Stories have become a popular way for users and businesses to share visually appealing, ephemeral content. Mastering best practices for managing your Stories can help you delight followers while protecting your privacy.
Facebook Story Ideas
Not sure what to post on your Facebook Story? Here are some fun and engaging Story ideas to try:
Behind-the-Scenes
Give your followers a glimpse into your daily activities by bringing them behind-the-scenes. Share preparation for an event, a hectic day at the office, or a silly moment with friends.
Spotlight Your Products
Businesses can use Stories to uniquely showcase new products, offerings, and company culture. Get creative showcasing your brand!
Document Your Travels
Stories are perfect for bringing your vacations to life! Post scenic views, local cuisine you try, and tourist attractions you visit.
Share Recipes
Cooking something delicious? Capture each step in your Story to share the recipe with friends and family.
Feature Users or Customers
Engage your audience by featuring your customers using your products or services in your Stories.
Collaborate with Influencers
Partner with relevant influencers in your industry to extend your brand’s reach to new audiences.
Poll Your Audience
Interact with your followers by running polls to get opinions, feedback, or help with decisions.
Go Live
Stream live videos to engage your audience in real-time. Announce sales, share news, or host Q&As.
Tips for Facebook Stories
Follow these tips to create successful Facebook Stories:
- Use authentic, high-quality photos and videos
- Post consistently, but avoid spamming your audience
- Make content interactive with stickers, drawings, polls, quiz stickers, etc.
- Rotate between first-person point of view and static images
- Keep it brief – most viewers prefer quick, digestible Stories
- Complement your permanent content with ephemeral Stories
- Focus on storytelling over hard sells
- Use Stories to reveal your brand’s personality and values
- Repurpose content across Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, etc.
Facebook Story Statistics
Here are some interesting statistics on how people use and engage with Facebook Stories:
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Daily Facebook Stories viewers | 500 million |
| Businesses using Stories/month | 5 million |
| Most common Story reply time | Within 24 hours |
| Stories with a reply | 20% |
| Length of typical Story view | Less than 10 seconds |
These Facebook Story statistics demonstrate the popularity and high engagement levels of Stories. Audiences clearly enjoy the ephemeral content format as part of their social media experience.
Facebook Story Specs
When creating Facebook Stories, keep these technical specifications in mind:
| Story Media Type | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Photos | .jpeg or .png format; ratio of 9:16 |
| Videos | MP4 format; minimum 720p resolution; ratio of 9:16; up to 60 sec |
| Live Videos | MP4 format; minimum 720p resolution; 4:5 aspect ratio; up to 4 hours |
Follow these Facebook Story dimensions and formats for the highest quality results. Optimize your visual assets for quick loading and mobile-friendly vertical viewing.
Facebook Story Caption Ideas
Captions help make your Facebook Stories more informative and engaging. Here are some caption ideas to try:
- Ask a question
- Run a poll
- Share a fun fact
- Behind-the-scenes commentary
- Tag people/brands/locations
- Hashtags for discovery
- Emojis to match the visuals
- Call-to-Action (e.g. swipe up, link in bio)
- Quote or lyrics
- Jokes or witty comments
Keep captions concise, personalized, and consistent with your brand voice. The best captions enhance and contextualize the visual Story content.
Facebook Story Ideas for Businesses
Facebook Stories are a valuable marketing tool for brands. Here are some story ideas specifically for businesses:
- Showcase new products
- Run contests, giveaways, or promotions
- Highlight customer success stories
- Share branded memes and viral content
- Post motivational quotes using branding
- Demonstrate services or product use
- Go behind-the-scenes on ad campaigns
- Feature employees and company culture
- Tease upcoming announcements and launches
- Poll followers for opinions and feedback
Mix promotional content with funny, inspirational, and interactive Stories that align with your brand identity. Show your company personality to connect on a more human level.
Conclusion
Facebook Stories provide a fun, ephemeral way to give followers a unique glimpse into your world. While Stories disappear after 24 hours by default, you can manually delete Stories at any time through your Activity Log. Just be aware that deleted Stories cannot be recovered.
When crafting Stories, be mindful of privacy, quality over quantity, and your brand image. Follow Facebook’s technical requirements for optimal visual results. With compelling yet temporary Stories, you can engage audiences and express yourself creatively on social media.