Finding the settings and privacy options on Facebook and YouTube can be confusing for some users. Both platforms have settings and privacy controls spread across different pages and menus. This article will provide a guide to finding the key settings and privacy options on Facebook and YouTube.
Finding Settings on Facebook
The main settings on Facebook are located under the Settings menu at the top right of the Facebook website when logged in. On mobile, this is accessed by tapping the three horizontal lines “hamburger” icon and selecting Settings & Privacy.
Here are some of the key settings options under the Facebook Settings menu:
- Account Settings – Control info added to profile, manage account security
- Privacy Settings – Manage who can see posts, profile info, contacts etc.
- Security and Login – Set up two-factor authentication, grant account access
- Ads – Control what ads you see
- Notifications – Manage notifications settings
Additionally, each section and feature on Facebook such as News Feed and Groups have their own specific settings accessible through drop down menus. Spending some time exploring all the options is the best way to get familiar with the settings.
Key Privacy Settings on Facebook
The main privacy settings are found under Settings & Privacy > Privacy Shortcuts. Here you can control:
- Who can see your posts
- Who can send you friend requests
- Who can see your friends list
- Who can look you up using your phone number or email address
Other important privacy settings include:
- Limiting past posts – Under Activity Log, you can manage the visibility of previous posts.
- Blocking people – You can block specific people from interacting with you on Facebook.
- Disabling platform – Turn off facial recognition which identifies you in photos and videos.
Finding Settings on YouTube
YouTube settings are accessible by clicking on your profile picture at the top right when signed in, then selecting Settings.
Some of the key YouTube account settings include:
- Account Settings – Change name, email, password
- Privacy Settings – Manage data privacy options
- Notifications – Configure notification preferences
- Linked Accounts – Connect Google account or manage connections to other services
- Playback and Performance – Video quality preferences
YouTube also has settings specific to certain features like subtitles, live chat, video manager and more. Browse through the left menu on the Settings page to see all options.
Key Privacy Settings on YouTube
The main YouTube privacy settings are found under Settings > Privacy.
Options here include:
- Pause watch history – Stop YouTube from tracking videos watched
- Pause search history – Stop YouTube from tracking searches
- Disable personalized ads – Opt out of targeted ads based on activity
- Hide subscribers – Keep number of subscribers private
- Don’t recommend my channel – Stop YouTube recommending your channel on homepage and search.
Other important YouTube privacy options include:
- Incognito mode – Browse YouTube without activity being recorded.
- Deleting comments – You can delete your own comments or disable comments on videos.
- Blocking users – Prevent specific users from interacting with your channel.
Spending time going through the various privacy options is key to tailoring your ideal settings on YouTube.
Comparison of Facebook and YouTube Privacy Controls
Here is a comparison of some of the key privacy settings available on both Facebook and YouTube:
| Privacy Setting | YouTube | |
|---|---|---|
| Limit visibility of posts/videos | Adjust post audience | Make videos private |
| Control tracking of activity | Off-Facebook activity | Pause watch history |
| Disable personalized ads | Ad preferences | Disable personalized ads |
| Block other users | Block users | Block users |
As you can see, both platforms provide similar privacy controls for limiting visibility, tracking, ads and blocking. However Facebook offers more granular control over post visibility, while YouTube has more options for controlling tracking of activity.
Settings for Downloading Your Information
Both Facebook and YouTube allow you to download a copy of the data associated with your account.
On Facebook, under Settings go to Your Facebook Information > Download Your Information. You can select date ranges and types of data to download.
On YouTube, go to Settings > Download Your Data. You can choose to download data including videos, comments, playlists and more. YouTube sends a download link via email when the data is ready.
Downloading your information can be useful for backing up your online activity or getting insight into how these platforms are collecting and using your data.
Tips for Managing Settings
Here are some tips for effectively managing your settings and privacy controls on Facebook and YouTube:
- Spend time fully exploring settings – Don’t just look at the basic options.
- Check settings regularly for changes – Updates can reset options or introduce new ones.
- Adjust visibility of old posts/videos – Limit public access to past activity.
- Turn off unused notification options – Disable notifications you don’t need.
- Delete old comments and activity – Or make private if you can’t delete.
- Limit ad tracking and personalization – Opt out for more privacy.
Balancing privacy, security and usability on social platforms can be challenging. But taking the time to dive into the settings gives you more control over your online presence.
Conclusion
Facebook and YouTube provide users with robust settings and privacy controls to manage their accounts and online presence. While the settings are in different places on each platform, the core options around visibility, tracking, ads and users are similar.
Getting familiar with all the available settings takes time, but is worthwhile to tailor these platforms to your preferences. Checking settings regularly and downloading your data are also useful practices, especially as policies frequently change.
With the right settings, you can maintain privacy, security and usability on social media. Take the time to explore, adjust and manage your settings and activity.