When you react to a Facebook post or comment using one of the reaction emojis (like, love, wow, etc.), the number of reactions is displayed below the post. If you react to a friend’s post, it will show something like “You, John Doe and 10 others reacted”.
This means that you, John Doe and 10 other people have reacted to that post. However, those 10 other people’s names are not revealed – it just shows the total number of reactions.
So when Facebook says “someone can see the total number of reactions”, it means that person can see how many total reactions a post has received, but not necessarily who those reactions are from. The identities of the other reactors are hidden unless you are friends with them as well.
When Can Someone See Total Reactions?
There are a few key situations when someone may see the total reaction count on a Facebook post:
On Their Own Post
If you post something on Facebook, you can always see the total number of reactions and shares your post has received. This allows you to gauge how much engagement your post is getting.
For example, if you share a photo and it shows “20 reactions”, you know it got 20 total likes, loves, wows, etc. But you won’t see the breakdown of each type of reaction or who exactly reacted.
On a Friend’s Post
When you view a post by a Facebook friend, it will show you the total reaction count if there are reactions from people other than just you and your mutual friends.
For example, if your friend Jane posts a status and it shows “You, Bob and 10 others”, you know there are 10 reactions from people you aren’t also friends with. This gives you a sense of how much engagement Jane’s post is getting outside of your mutual connections.
On a Public Post or Page
For public posts or pages on Facebook (ones that anyone can see even if they aren’t friends with the poster), the total reaction counts are always visible. This allows any visitor to see how much traction that public post or page is getting.
Pages typically display the lifetime reaction totals received on all their public posts. This serves as a public metric of the page’s popularity and engagement.
On a Group Post
In Facebook groups, the total reaction count is shown on posts so that group members can see how others are engaging. You will see the total even if you aren’t friends with the reactor – it gives a general sense of how group members are responding.
Group admins may also utilize the totals to gauge which types of posts resonate most with the group.
When Are Individual Reactors Hidden?
While you can always see the total reaction count on a Facebook post, the individual reactors will be hidden in these cases:
When You Aren’t Friends
If someone reacts to a post who is not in your friend network on Facebook, their name and reaction will not show up for you. Only friends’ reactions are visible.
For example, if “John Doe and 10 others” reacted, the 10 others are likely people outside your friend circle. Their privacy is maintained by not revealing their identities.
When Visibility is Limited
The poster may also choose to limit the visibility of reactors to “Friends Except Acquaintances”. This means only close friends will see the reactors, while acquaintances will just see total counts.
Additionally, some may decide to limit reactors to “Only Me”, in which case no one else sees any reaction details at all – just the poster. This is done for privacy.
When There are Too Many
Facebook caps the number of reactors shown at 99. So if a post gets hundreds or thousands of reactions, after 99 it just shows “99+ Reacted”. This prevents the list from becoming overly cluttered. You still see the total count though.
So in summary, the total reaction count gives a sense of engagement while protecting privacy by only revealing individual reactors selectively per Facebook’s privacy settings and friend status.
Who Can React Privately?
While total reaction counts are public, individuals do have some options to react more privately:
Friends
If you are friends with the poster, your reactions are visible to each other and mutual friends. You can remove yourself from the visible reactors list later if you change your mind.
Friends of Friends/Public
If you are outside the poster’s friend circle, like a friend of a friend or just a member of the public, your reactions are automatically private. Facebook does not show your identity orReaction type.
Page Admins
Page admins can react privately to their own page’s posts via a special “React as Page” option. This allows them to engage without skewing public perception.
Private Groups
Within private Facebook groups, members can choose whether their reactions are visible to the rest of the group or just to the admins. This provides flexibility for more sensitive discussions.
So in general, close friends have more visibility, while distant relations and the public react anonymously in most cases. Page admins are given tools to react incognito as needed.
Who Can See the Breakdown of Reaction Types?
While total reaction counts are visible to many people, the breakdown of how many Likes vs Loves vs other reactions a post received is more limited:
The Poster
The person who made the post can always see the full reaction breakdown. This allows them to analyze what resonated most with their audience.
Page Admins
For pages, admins can view the reaction type breakdowns for each of their posts. Again, this provides insight into what their followers engage with most.
Group Admins/Mods
For groups, administrators and moderators are able to see the reaction breakdown on posts within the group. This can inform decisions about group discussions.
Friends in Some Cases
Sometimes friends of the poster can see reaction type breakdowns, depending on audience settings. Typically close friends will have access while acquaintances may not.
So in summary, the reaction breakdown is visible only to those with privileged access like page/group admins or a poster’s close friend circle, while most others just see total counts.
Reasons for Showing Only Total Counts
Facebook deliberately limits the details visible around reactions to maintain privacy and prevent misuse:
Prevent Pile-Ons
If everyone could see the names and reactions on a post, it may spur “pile-on” behavior where people dogpile on existing reactions. Total counts prevent this.
Reduce Reaction Gaming
Services have been known to try “gaming” reactions on pages by reacting deceptively to inflate perceived popularity. Total counts deter this.
Incentivize Genuine Reactions
If identities were always public, some may react disingenuously for appearances. Anonymity lets people react more candidly.
Respect Privacy
Not everyone wants their interactions publicly exposed or tied to their identity. Total counts allow reactions without being publicized.
Improve Performance
Loading hundreds of reactor names and types can bog down performance. Total counts significantly reduce this overhead.
So in summary, Facebook balances providing reaction metrics while preventing misuse, protecting privacy, and optimizing performance for the platform. There are good reasons to display just the totals in most cases.
How Post Authors Can See All Reactors
While most people see just total reaction counts on posts, the original author of a post does have the ability to click and view the full list of reactors in most cases:
Viewing Post Insights
In the Facebook app or desktop site, post authors can access post insights by clicking on the reactions area. This brings up a detailed window showing reaction types and names (except acquaintances).
Using Post/Page Notifications
Posters will also get mobile and email notifications when people react to or engage with their posts. These notifications include the reactor’s name and reaction type, allowing them to tally the full list this way over time.
Downloading Data
In Facebook Settings, users can download all their data, which includes a list of reactors on authored posts. This provides an official accounting of all engagement.
Admin Tools
Page admins have additional tools in Page Insights to view reactors and breakouts for all page posts – crucial for monitoring engagement.
So post authors have options to audit the full details in settings, notifications, downloads, and admin tools even if publicly it just shows totals.
Conclusion
When Facebook says “someone can see total reactions”, it means the number of reactions is visible but not necessarily who reacted individually or what reaction types they used. This balances providing engagement metrics while maintaining privacy and preventing misuse.
Total reaction counts give useful signals of popularity and resonance without enabling harassment or gaming the system. For pages and public content especially, this allows organic virality based on genuine interest not artificial boosting.
Post authors are still empowered to monitor their detailed engagement through special insights tools if desired. But for most purposes, the totals give adequate feedback while protecting people’s privacy. So Facebook has found a way to offer reaction analytics in a responsible manner through showing just total counts publicly.