Sharing your location on Facebook can be a fun way to let friends and family know where you are or what places you’ve visited. However, you may later decide you want to edit or remove the location tag from a post for privacy reasons. Fortunately, Facebook makes it easy to change the location settings on your posts.
Can I remove the location from a Facebook post after sharing?
Yes, you can remove or edit the location tag on a Facebook post after sharing it. The steps to do so are simple:
- Go to your Facebook profile and find the post you want to edit.
- Click the three dots in the upper right corner of the post.
- Select “Edit Post” from the dropdown menu.
- This will open an editor where you can delete the location tag. Simply click the “x” next to the location name to remove it.
- You can also type a new location in the designated box if you want to edit the tag rather than remove it completely.
- Once finished, click “Save” and the location tag will be updated.
It’s important to note that editing or removing the location from your original post will not delete that location data from Facebook’s records. It simply removes the public display of your location from that particular post. The location may still be visible if you shared it in any other way like through a photo tag.
Does editing a post’s location also change it for anyone who shared it?
No, editing or removing the location tag from your original post will not change it for anyone who shared that post. If someone shared your post prior to you editing the location, it will still show whatever location was originally tagged. The location change will only apply to the original post on your own profile.
For example, let’s say you originally tagged a post from Paris, France. Your friend Amy shares it, so now the post is on both your and Amy’s timelines with the Paris location displayed. If you later edit your original post to remove the Paris location tag, Amy’s shared version of the post will still say you were in Paris. The location change only affects your original post.
Can I edit the location for posts I’m tagged in by friends?
No, you cannot directly edit the location tag on a post you’ve been tagged in by someone else. The person who made the original post is the only one who can change the location that’s displayed. This applies even if you’ve been tagged in the photo or post content.
If you want to remove a location tag from a post you’re tagged in, you’ll need to ask the original poster to edit or delete it from their end. Alternatively, you can simply untag yourself from the post, which will remove your name and any associated location data from appearing on your own profile.
What happens when I remove the location from a post?
Here’s what happens when you successfully delete a location tag from a Facebook post:
- The name of the location will no longer be visible on your post.
- The post will no longer appear when people search that location on Facebook.
- Your post will no longer show up on the Feed of friends who live in or are traveling to that area.
- You may get fewer likes and comments from location-based connections.
- If the post was geotagged, the map thumbnail preview will disappear.
Essentially, removing the location disconnects your post from that particular place both visually and in terms of Facebook’s location-based feeds and searches. The post itself will remain on your profile otherwise unchanged.
Can I control who sees the location when I post?
Yes, you can adjust your Facebook privacy settings to control who can see your location when you tag a post. To limit location visibility:
- Go to “Settings” and select “Location” in the left menu.
- Toggle location services on for Facebook if you haven’t already.
- Under “Who can see your location,” click “Edit” next to the post audience.
- Change the setting from “Public” to “Friends” or a custom audience.
This will make your location tags viewable only to the chosen audience. You can also disable location services altogether if you don’t want any location displayed.
How can I increase the privacy of my past locations?
If you previously had location turned on for all posts, here are some ways to increase privacy of old posts with location tags:
- Go through and delete locations from past posts using the steps outlined earlier.
- Adjust your location privacy in the settings to Friends or a custom list.
- Limit past post visibility using the Activity Log tool.
- Delete old posts entirely that you don’t want public anymore.
Cleaning up your past Facebook activity is the only way to fully limit access to your previously shared location data. Also double check your privacy settings for photo tags just in case.
Can I see a list of my Facebook posts with location?
Yes, Facebook does have a tool to see all your posts with location tags. To find it:
- Go to your profile and click on “View As” in the top right.
- Select “Only Me” to see your profile as you see it.
- In the left menu, click “More” and select “Posts You’re Tagged In.”
- This will display a feed of your posts. Click “Filters” above the feed.
- Check the box for “Has Location” to filter for only geotagged posts.
You can then go through this filtered feed and edit locations as needed for greater privacy. Just remember to toggle the view back to normal when done.
Should I avoid location tags for privacy?
There are valid privacy reasons you may want to avoid tagging locations on Facebook altogether. Here are a few things to consider:
- Location data reveals patterns about where you live, work and travel.
- Facebook uses your location tags for ad targeting purposes.
- Location tags give information about your home or other places you may want to keep private.
- Tagging exact businesses can indicate your habits, preferences and hobbies.
- Criminals potentially use location tags to target empty homes or find personal details.
While the risks are situational, limiting location sharing is an easy way to boost online privacy. You can still share fun trip photos without the tags!
Conclusion
Facebook makes it easy to edit or remove locations that you’ve tagged in posts. Just navigate to the post, click “Edit Post”, and delete the location from the designated box. This will disconnect the post from that geographic data without otherwise altering or deleting the actual post content. You can also adjust your settings to limit who sees locations in future posts based on your comfort level. While location tags can enrich social media, controlling how that information is shared is key to maintaining your privacy.