Facebook’s Privacy Checkup tool allows users to review their privacy settings and make changes to who can see their posts, profile information, and more. The Privacy Checkup can be accessed in a few different ways:
Accessing Privacy Checkup on the Facebook Website
If you are using Facebook on a desktop or laptop computer, you can access Privacy Checkup in a couple of different ways:
- Click on the down arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page and select “Settings”. This will open your general account settings page.
- On the left side of the settings page, click on “Privacy Checkup” under the “Privacy Shortcuts” section. This will open the Privacy Checkup tool.
- Alternatively, you can access it directly by going to https://www.facebook.com/privacycheckup in your browser.
Accessing Privacy Checkup on the Facebook Mobile App
If you are using the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet, you can access Privacy Checkup by:
- Tapping on the three-line “hamburger” menu icon in the top right corner.
- Selecting “Settings & Privacy” from the menu.
- Tapping “Privacy Checkup” on the Settings page.
What Privacy Checkup Allows You to Review
Privacy Checkup walks you through a series of screens allowing you to review settings in the following areas:
- Who can see your posts? Review which audiences (Public, Friends, Specific Groups etc) can view your posts by default.
- Who can see your profile information? Review what profile details are visible to different audiences.
- Who can look you up? Review who can search for you on Facebook and what information is visible in search results.
- Who can see your posts on your timeline? Customize who can view past and future timeline posts.
- Review all your privacy settings. Get an overview of all other privacy and security settings.
On each screen, Privacy Checkup explains your current settings and provides options to update them as needed. Adjustments made in Privacy Checkup are applied to your account immediately.
Why is Privacy Checkup Useful?
Here are some key reasons why periodically reviewing your privacy settings with Privacy Checkup can be beneficial:
- Your privacy needs may change over time. Checking your settings regularly makes sure they stay up to date.
- Facebook occasionally adds new privacy controls or changes how settings work. Privacy Checkup helps you stay on top of these changes.
- It provides a handy overview of key privacy categories in one place.
- You can catch and fix any unwanted settings that were enabled accidentally or without your knowledge.
- Peace of mind knowing exactly who can see what on your profile and timeline.
How Often Should You Run Privacy Checkup?
Facebook recommends using Privacy Checkup every few months to catch any changes. But you may want to run it more or less frequently depending on your comfort level and activity on Facebook. Here are some guidelines on when to give your privacy settings a checkup:
- When you increase or decrease how much personal information you share on Facebook.
- Before changing your relationship status or posting about major life events.
- When you join any new groups or become friends with new people.
- If you notice unfamiliar posts or friends on your timeline.
- Anytime Facebook rolls out major changes to its privacy controls.
- Every 3-6 months as a general best practice.
Key Takeaways
- Access Privacy Checkup from the down arrow > Settings menu on desktop, or Settings & Privacy > Privacy Checkup on mobile.
- It allows reviewing who can see your posts, profile info, search visibility and timeline posts.
- Run it regularly to update settings as your needs change and catch unwanted changes.
- Aim for every 3-6 months in general, or more often if your sharing increases or friends change.
Keeping your Facebook privacy settings dialed in is important for controlling your social media experience. Privacy Checkup gives you an easy way to regularly review and adjust your key privacy controls in just a few clicks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Privacy Checkup also cover app settings?
No, Privacy Checkup focuses specifically on your profile, posting and audience settings within Facebook itself. To manage which third-party apps can access your Facebook data, you need to go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Apps and Websites.
What if I’m not seeing the Privacy Checkup option?
If Privacy Checkup is missing from your Settings menu, try the following:
- Make sure you have the latest version of the Facebook app or are refreshed on the website.
- Temporarily switch your language to English if using Facebook in another language.
- Log out and log back in to your Facebook account.
If it’s still not there, you may need to contact Facebook support for further troubleshooting.
Can businesses run Privacy Checkup on their Facebook Pages?
No, Privacy Checkup is only for personal Facebook profiles. Pages do not have this option, as they are intended for public viewing and interaction.
Does Privacy Checkup adjust any ad preferences?
No, Privacy Checkup is focused only on settings for your profile, posts, and visibility to other users. To manage whether your activity is used for ads targeting, you need to go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Ads.
Summary
Facebook’s Privacy Checkup is an important tool that allows reviewing and adjusting your key privacy settings in one place. Take advantage of it regularly to keep your profile, posts and information dialed in for only the audiences you are comfortable with. Stay proactive about your privacy on social media by making Privacy Checkup part of your routine every few months or whenever your sharing habits change.
Example Tables
| Access Method | Desktop/Laptop | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|
| Menu Location | Settings (arrow icon) | Settings & Privacy |
| Direct Link | https://www.facebook.com/privacycheckup | N/A |
| Privacy Category | What it Controls |
|---|---|
| Post Audience | Who can see your posts by default |
| Profile Info | What profile details are visible |
| Searchability | Who can search for you on Facebook |
| Timeline Posts | Visibility of past and future posts |
| When to Run Privacy Checkup |
|---|
|
Conclusion
Privacy Checkup allows reviewing and adjusting key Facebook privacy settings related to your profile, posts, visibility, and timeline. Access it regularly to keep your account dialed in as your needs change. Aim to run a privacy checkup every 3-6 months, or whenever your sharing habits or friends change significantly.