Facebook offers users several options for sharing content, including the ability to send posts directly to friends or share them more broadly on your profile. However, sometimes the Share option doesn’t appear and you can only send the post to individual people. There are a few potential reasons why you may only see the Send option:
Your Privacy Settings
The first thing to check is your privacy settings. Facebook allows you to control who can see your posts through your privacy settings. If you have your default privacy set to Friends, Close Friends, or a Custom setting, the Share option will be disabled because your posts are not public. To enable sharing again, you would need to edit your default privacy setting to Public.
How to Edit Default Privacy Settings
- Click on the arrow in the top right corner and select “Settings & Privacy”
- Click on “Settings”
- Click on “Privacy”
- Under “Your Activity,” click on “Edit” next to “Default Privacy”
- Select “Public” as your default privacy setting
Making your posts public by default will re-enable the Share button when you go to create new posts.
Post Limitations
In some cases, Facebook limits the shareability of certain types of posts as a precaution. For example, you may only have the option to send event invites, fundraisers, and offers rather than share them broadly. This prevents spamming of friends’ feeds with promotional content.
Here are some types of posts where sharing may be limited to sending only:
- Event invites
- Fundraiser promotion
- Marketplace listings
- Offers or deals
- Group invites
If you try sharing one of these types of posts and only see the Send option, it’s likely due to Facebook’s anti-spam measures for promotional content. The only way around this limitation is to create a regular status update or photo/video post instead.
Technical Issues
Less commonly, not seeing the Share option can also point to a technical glitch or bug. Some potential issues include:
- Temporary glitch where the Share button fails to load
- Integration error with third-party apps that use Facebook sharing
- Problems due to an outdated app or device software
- Conflicts if you’re accessing Facebook through a VPN or proxy service
Troubleshooting steps for technical issues:
- Force quit and relaunch the Facebook app
- Update to the latest version of the Facebook app
- Update your device software/OS to the newest version
- Try accessing Facebook through a web browser instead of the mobile app
- Clear the app cache and data before reinstalling Facebook
- Disable any active VPN or proxy connections
Working through these steps will resolve most brief technical problems that may be preventing the Share button from appearing properly. If the issues persist, you may need to contact Facebook support for additional help troubleshooting.
Account Restrictions or Bans
In extreme cases, having your account restricted or banned by Facebook can also remove the Share functionality. Some examples include:
- Temporary sharing ban after posting prohibited content
- Limits placed on accounts caught spamming or spreading misinformation
- Restricted access if your account was previously compromised
- Disabled sharing abilities if you violated Facebook’s terms of service
If you believe your account has been limited unfairly, you can submit an appeal to Facebook. However, restrictions are usually implemented if serious or repeated violations of Facebook’s policies have occurred.
How to Tell if You’re Banned from Sharing
Here are some signs that your account has been restricted from broader sharing abilities:
- Seeing only the Send option when creating any type of post
- Receiving an error message when you try to share something
- Your existing posts disappear from your profile and news feed
- Friends mention they can’t see your posts anymore
- Inability to create Facebook ads or share posts from connected apps
If you suspect account restrictions, check for any alerts or notifications from Facebook about policy violations. Also review Facebook’s terms and community standards to ensure you aren’t unintentionally breaking any rules.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a few key reasons why you may only have the option to send a post on Facebook rather than publicly share it:
- Your default privacy settings are limited
- The type of post has sharing restrictions
- Technical glitches or app issues
- Bans or restrictions placed on your account
Checking your privacy settings, troubleshooting app problems, and reviewing Facebook’s policies can help identify the cause. Contacting Facebook support may be needed if problems persist, especially if you think your account has been incorrectly restricted. With some diligence, you should be able to restore full sharing abilities in most cases.