If you believe Facebook has wrongly removed one of your posts, pages, groups, events or profiles, you can request another review through the appeals process. Facebook has a team that reviews these requests and makes a determination. Here are some quick answers about how to submit an appeal on Facebook:
What can I request another review for on Facebook?
You can request another review if any of the following content was removed from Facebook:
- A post
- A photo or video
- A Page you created
- A Group you created
- An event you created
- Your profile (your account was disabled)
How do I submit an appeal on Facebook?
To submit an appeal:
- Go to the Help Center on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/help
- In the search bar, type “appeal”
- Click on “How do I appeal the removal of content I’ve posted or the deactivation of my account?”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to submit an appeal
What information do I need to provide in my appeal?
When submitting an appeal, you will need to provide:
- Your name
- The content you want to appeal (e.g. a post URL)
- An explanation of why you believe the content was removed in error
How long does it take to get a response on my appeal?
It typically takes 1-2 weeks after submitting your appeal to get a response from Facebook’s review team. However, it may take less or more time depending on how complex your case is.
Can I expedite my appeal review?
There is no way to expedite the appeals process. You simply have to wait for Facebook’s review team to look over your request and make a decision. Sending multiple appeals is not recommended, as it will not make the process go faster.
What happens if my appeal is approved?
If your appeal is approved, the removed content will be restored. For example, a post will be back up on your Page or profile, or your disabled account will be reactivated.
What happens if my appeal is denied?
If your appeal is denied, the content will remain down or your account will stay disabled. Facebook’s review team has decided to uphold the initial removal or disablement.
You will receive an email explaining why your appeal was denied. While you cannot submit another appeal for the same piece of content, you can submit an appeal for other removed content in the future.
Can I appeal again if I’m denied?
If your first appeal is denied, you cannot appeal that same piece of content again. However, if other content of yours is removed in the future, you can start a new appeal process for that new content.
What happens if I submit multiple appeals?
If you submit multiple appeals for the same piece of removed content, it will not expedite the process or change the result. Sending duplicative appeals is not recommended.
Can I appeal content removed for copyright?
If your content was removed for a copyright violation, you cannot appeal it through Facebook’s standard appeal process. However, you may be able to file a DMCA counter notice if you believe the content was removed by mistake.
Can I appeal old content removals?
Facebook’s appeals process only applies to recent content removals within the last few weeks. If your content was removed further in the past, an appeal is no longer an option.
Do I need a Facebook account to appeal?
Yes, you need to have an active Facebook account in order to submit an appeal through the Help Center.
Can I appeal on behalf of someone else’s account?
No, appeals have to come directly from the owner of the disabled or removed account/content. For privacy reasons, Facebook does not allow third parties to submit appeals on behalf of other users.
Can I appeal content that I reported myself?
If you proactively reported your own content and want to cancel the report, you can withdraw the report which may allow the content to be restored. However, you cannot appeal content that you intentionally had removed.
Can businesses appeal removals?
Yes, businesses and organizations can submit appeals if their Facebook Page, ad account or other assets are disabled or content is removed. The appeals process is the same.
Can I appeal removals if I don’t know why the content was taken down?
Yes, you can submit an appeal even if you are unsure of or disagree with the reason your content was removed. In your appeal, explain that you do not understand why the content went against Facebook’s policies and make your case for why you believe it should be restored.
Conclusion
Appealing content removals on Facebook can be confusing, but is an important way to contest disablements or takedowns you believe were done in error. Be sure to provide all required information in your appeal, explain clearly why you believe the removal was incorrect, and allow 1-2 weeks for a response from Facebook’s team. With persistence and care, some appeals can result in restored content.
Facebook Appeals Statistics
Here are some statistics on Facebook’s appeals process and how many are approved:
| Facebook appeals submitted per year | ~250,000 |
| Average time to receive appeal response | 1-2 weeks |
| Accounts reinstated after appeal | ~37% |
| Posts restored after appeal | ~12% |
| Photos restored after appeal | ~27% |
| Videos restored after appeal | ~20% |
As the data shows, a little over one-third of disabled accounts are successfully recovered through the appeals process. However, the percentage of restored content like posts, photos and videos is much lower at around 12-27%.
This indicates the appeals team is more cautious about reinstating accounts than individual pieces of content. Accounts are often considered more holistically, while content is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. An account may get reinstated if the violation was an anomaly for that user, while a single piece of obviously violating content would not get restored just because the wider account was deemed legitimate.
Appeal Approval Factors
Here are some factors that likely impact Facebook’s decision on whether to approve appeals:
- Type of violation – Some violations like terrorism, child exploitation, hate speech, etc. are zero tolerance and highly unlikely to be appealed successfully.
- Repeat violations – If the account has been warned or penalized before, approval chances decrease significantly.
- Strength of appeal – Well-reasoned, coherent appeals are more compelling than brief, unclear ones.
- Content value – Posts with high engagement and reach may get more leniency.
- Account history – Longstanding accounts in good standing have higher appeal success rates.
Improving Your Appeal Odds
Because appeal approval rates can be low for certain content removals, it helps to be strategic with your appeal approach. Here are some tips that may help improve your chances of getting a successful appeal:
- Be extremely respectful and polite in your written appeal. Angry or demanding language often hinders success.
- Clearly and calmly explain your reasoning for why the removal was incorrect.
- Provide additional context around the content and your account history that shows you are a contributor in good standing.
- If it was an accidental or partial violation, own up to it and explain how you will prevent it going forward.
- Note any strong user backlash or appeals from followers who want the content reinstated.
Sample Appeal Letter
Here is an example of what a calm, reasoned appeal letter could look like:
Dear Facebook Appeals Team,
I would like to appeal the removal of my Facebook post from March 3, 2022 titled “My 10 Favorite Dog Photos.” The post contained 10 photos of cute dogs I know. I have reviewed the post again carefully, and I sincerely believe the photos did not violate any Facebook policies. The dogs belong to family and friends, and the photos were used with permission. There is no abusive content, nudity or any other violations I can see.
I am an active daily Facebook user who enjoys sharing positive content with my network. I have never had any other posts or photos removed before. I am very concerned that a post showcasing adorable pet photos was mistakenly removed. It had significant engagement from my follower base who also love dogs.
If you could please reconsider the removal, I would greatly appreciate it. The post brought a lot of joy to my friends and family. I will certainly be more careful reviewing any future posts to ensure I do not make any errors. Let me know if you need any other information for the appeal. I hope to hear back with good news reinstating this harmless fun post.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Other Facebook Moderation Options
In addition to appeals, you may also be able to address mistaken content removals by:
- Filing a report at https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/144059062408922 if you see content that doesn’t violate policies.
- Contacting the Facebook account owner who submitted a report to let them know it was incorrect.
- Reporting impersonator accounts pretending to be you or someone else.
- Blocking an individual user harassing you instead of admins removing shared content.
Appeals are the most direct route to contest specific takedowns, but reporting fake or harassing accounts can also help address moderation mistakes indirectly. Be proactive about using all the tools Facebook provides to fix problems.
Conclusion
Getting content reinstated on Facebook through appeals is challenging, with only around 12-37% of cases succeeding for individual posts, photos and videos. However, crafting a persuasive, polite appeal explaining in detail why the removal was incorrect can sometimes work. Understand that certain serious violations are unlikely to be appealed successfully though. Strategically selecting which takedowns to appeal based on type, context and value may yield the best results. With reasonable expectations and thoughtful appeals, users can occasionally get mistaken Facebook removals overturned.