Facebook offers users several different options for controlling the privacy settings on their posts. There are five main options that allow users to customize who can see a particular post. Understanding these options is important for managing privacy on the platform.
Public
Making a post public is the least private option on Facebook. Public posts can be seen by anyone on or off Facebook, even if they are not your friends. Public posts may show up in searches on Facebook, Google or other search engines. They can also be shared or re-posted by anyone who can see them.
Some key things to know about public posts:
- Visible to anyone on or off Facebook
- May appear in public search results
- Can be reshared by anyone
- Good for posts intended to reach a wide audience
Public is the default setting for posts on Facebook. Unless you change it, your posts will automatically have public visibility. This allows anyone to see and engage with your posts.
Friends
The friends setting limits the visibility of a post to your list of friends on Facebook. Only people you are connected with as friends will be able to see posts set to this privacy option. Friends of your friends will not have access.
Key attributes of friends-only posts:
- Only visible to your Facebook friends
- Will not appear in public search results
- Can only be reshared by your friends
- Good for posts intended for your social connections
Limiting posts to friends only is more private than the public setting. It allows you to share updates, photos and other content while restricting access to people you are connected with on Facebook.
Friends Except…
With this setting, you can post something visible to your friends list except for specific people. When you select this option, you can type in the names of friends to exclude from seeing the post.
Key details about friends except posts:
- Visible to your friends list minus exclusions
- Excluded friends cannot see or engage with the post
- Good for limiting access from certain connections
Friends except gives you control to block specific people from accessing particular posts. You can use it to share updates broadly with your friend list while hiding them from a few selected individuals.
Specific Friends
This setting allows you to post something visible only to a customized list of friends. When you choose this option, you can check the boxes next to each friend you want to be able to access the post.
Notable characteristics of posts limited to specific friends:
- Only visible to selected individuals
- You can customize who can see the post
- Good for sharing with a targeted group of friends
Selecting specific friends gives you precision control over the audience for a post. You can tightly limit it to individuals of your choosing without making it fully public or showing it to your whole friend list.
Only Me
This setting makes your post completely private, visible only to you. Posts set to only me will not show up to any other users on Facebook.
Key properties of only me posts:
- Completely private and only visible to you
- Will not appear to any other users on Facebook
- Allows you to use Facebook as a private journal
The only me setting is the most private option available. It essentially allows you to draft posts and status updates for your eyes only. This can be helpful for journaling or drafting content before making it public.
Comparison of Privacy Settings
To summarize the options:
| Setting | Who Can See |
|---|---|
| Public | Anyone on or off Facebook |
| Friends | Your friends list |
| Friends Except… | Friends list minus exclusions |
| Specific Friends | Only people you select |
| Only Me | Just you |
Understanding these options gives you control over who can access and engage with your Facebook posts. You can adjust settings on a post-by-post basis depending on your desired audience.
Tips for Managing Your Privacy
Here are some tips to help you manage the privacy settings for your Facebook posts:
- Double check settings before posting. It’s easy to accidentally post something more publicly than intended.
- Use privacy shortcuts. Facebook has settings like “Friends except acquaintances” to make targeting faster.
- Limit old posts. You can change the privacy settings on previous posts to restrict access.
- Be cautious about public posts. Assume anything public will be widely accessible.
- Customize as needed. Use options like “Specific Friends” for targeted groups.
Carefully considering the privacy of each post allows you to share comfortably on Facebook. You control the audience for each update you make.
Other Facebook Privacy Controls
In addition to privacy settings for posts, Facebook provides other tools to manage your privacy:
- Edit your friend list and custom friend lists
- Control who can lookup your profile or see your friends list
- Review and limit your past post visibility
- Restrict profile photo tagging by other users
- Block people or limit their interactions
Make sure to regularly check your main privacy settings and controls. Facebook often adds new options you can take advantage of.
Conclusion
Facebook’s post privacy settings empower you to selectively control who sees your content. The options range from completely public posts to totally private posts visible only to yourself. Taking the time to properly configure these settings for each post allows you to comfortably use Facebook while still maintaining your desired level of privacy.