Facebook offers users the ability to set different levels of profanity filtering when using the platform. The profanity filter settings allow users to control the amount of potentially offensive language they see in their feeds and in comments. There are three levels of profanity filtering on Facebook – low, medium and strong. The higher the setting, the more profanity will be filtered out. Understanding the differences between these filter levels can help users decide which option is right for them.
What is Facebook’s profanity filter?
Facebook’s profanity filter screens posts, comments, messages and other content for language identified as profane or offensive. When enabled, the filter will block content containing profanity from being shown to users. The goal is to prevent users from seeing language they may find inappropriate or disturbing.
Facebook maintains a list of terms and phrases considered profane. This list is in multiple languages. Their technology scans text entered by users and matches it against the list of prohibited terms. If a match is found, the content will be filtered out automatically.
The profanity filter is optional and can be adjusted in the user’s settings. There are three filtering levels available:
Low
The low setting filters very little content. Only the most extreme profanity or offensive slurs will be blocked. Most profane language will get through.
Medium
The medium setting filters a moderate amount of profanity. It blocks common swear words, but more subtle insults or profane phrases may not be caught.
Strong
The strong setting is very strict about filtering profanity. It blocks all types of swearing, insults, slurs and explicit language. Only the most mild content will be allowed through.
The higher the filter level, the more material will be blocked from view.
What gets filtered on the medium setting?
When the profanity filter is set to medium, Facebook will block:
- Most common curse words and expletives like f*** , s**t, a**hole, d**k, b***h etc.
- Derogatory words against groups based on race, religion, gender, orientation etc.
- Explicit sexual terms and references
- Some intentionally misspelled variations of the above words
The medium setting aims to filter clear and obvious profanity. Common swear words, sexual language, slurs, and derogatory terms will be blocked.
However, more subtle insults or profane phrases may get through the filters. For example:
- “This sucks!”
- “You’re stupid.”
- “I hate you.”
These negative phrases would likely be allowed, even though they are insulting. The medium filter focuses on blocking the most blatant profanity.
What gets filtered on the strong setting?
The strong profanity filter setting is extremely strict. It will block:
- All words and phrases blocked under the medium setting
- Obscure slang terms and variations of profanity
- Creative swear word combinations and euphemisms
- Most insults, even without profane terms
- Sexually suggestive content
- Hate speech and racial slurs
- Threats of violence
Facebook works aggressively to identify and block any language that promotes hate or threatens harm. The strong filter also targets subtler profanity that gets around the medium settings.
For example, the strong filter will likely block:
- “WTF is this?”
- “Ur an idiot”
- “I’m so fricking annoyed right now.”
These phrases find creative ways to suggest profanity without using blocked keywords. The strong setting is meant to pick up on these cases and filter them out.
In summary, the strong filter blocks absolutely everything that medium does, plus much more additional content. Users who want to avoid profanity and insults of any kind will prefer the strong setting.
Examples of Blocked Content
To further demonstrate the difference between the medium and strong profanity filters, here are some examples of content that would be blocked on each setting:
Medium Filter
- “That’s total bullshit!”
- “You’re such an a$$hole.”
- “Go f**k yourself”
Strong Filter
- The examples above
- “Screw you guys”
- “WTF man, not cool”
- “Ur a f***ing moron”
- “Eat s**t and die”
As you can see, the strong filter casts a much wider net and blocks content that is profane, but would likely be missed by medium filtering.
Impact on User Experience
The profanity filter level impacts a user’s Facebook experience:
Low Setting
- Little impact – most content shows as normal
- Users see lots of profanity in posts and comments
- For users comfortable with swearing and offensive language
Medium Setting
- Moderate impact – some content is blocked
- Obvious swearing is removed
- Some profanity may remain
- Average filtering for the typical user
Strong Setting
- Major impact – much of language is filtered
- Nearly all profanity is blocked
- Creates a very “clean” experience
- For users who want minimal exposure to offensive language
Users should think about how they use Facebook and the interactions they want to have when deciding on a profanity filter setting. People comfortable with some profanity may prefer medium, while those wanting a strictly curated experience may choose strong.
How to Change Your Profanity Filter Level
It only takes a moment to adjust your profanity filter settings on Facebook:
- Go to your profile and click Settings
- Go to the General tab
- Scroll down and click on the option for Profanity Filter
- Select your preferred filter level: Low, Medium or Strong
The change takes effect immediately. Keep in mind you may need to refresh your browser to see the updated filtering on posts.
You can switch between filter levels at any time. Some factors that may lead you to change settings include:
- Too much profanity appearing with Medium selected
- Wanting to see more unfiltered content from friends
- Noticing an increase in offensive language and insults on the platform
Don’t be afraid to test different profanity settings to find the right balance for you.
Pros and Cons of Profanity Filtering
There are reasonable arguments on both sides of profanity filtering:
Pros of Filtering
- Prevents exposure to offensive, disturbing language
- Creates a more positive community environment
- Reduces the spread of hate speech and threats
- Easier to avoid profanity than ignore it
Cons of Filtering
- Filters may be overly broad and block innocent language
- Users should have freedom to post opinions without censorship
- Filters could suppress minority voices and concerns
- Mistakes in filtering can make statements confusing
There are good reasons for wanting more or less profanity filtering. In the end, giving users choice allows them to decide what’s best for their personal viewing preferences.
The Bottom Line
Here are some key points to understand about Facebook’s profanity filter settings:
- Medium blocks only the most clear and obvious profanity
- Strong picks up on a much wider range of language
- Higher settings create a more heavily filtered experience
- Users can change the settings at any time to adjust filtering
- There are reasonable arguments for both more and less filtering
- Choose the option that creates the experience you want
Everyone has different sensitivities and comfort levels when it comes to profanity. Facebook’s filter settings provide good flexibility for users to control what content they see. Consider your preferences and values when deciding on low, medium or strong filtering.