Facebook posts not having a dedicated “Share” button is due to the way Facebook wants users to interact with posts and share content. The Share feature was removed as part of Facebook’s redesign a few years ago to simplify the user interface and consolidate features under different icons like Reactions and Comment.
The History of the Share Button
In Facebook’s early days, every post had a “Share” link right below it, alongside the Like and Comment options. The Share button allowed you to share a post to your own Timeline, a friend’s Timeline, in a Group, or on a Page you managed. This made it easy to reshare content you found interesting.
However, as Facebook evolved, the company realized having so many options below each post created clutter. In 2014, Facebook removed the Share button from posts as part of a major redesign aimed at streamlining the user experience. Instead of a dedicated Share button, users had to click on an arrow on the right side of the post to access a share menu.
| Year | Sharing Mechanism |
|---|---|
| Pre-2014 | Dedicated Share button below each post |
| 2014-2021 | Share menu accessed by clicking arrow icon |
| 2021-present | Share via button in three-dot More menu |
This change received some backlash from users who were so accustomed to having the Share button easily accessible. However, overall Facebook received positive feedback about the simplified design.
Current Sharing Options
In 2021, Facebook again made changes to post sharing options. Now when you click the three-dot More menu on a post, you’ll see “Share” as one of the options.
Clicking Share gives you three options:
- Share now – immediately share the post to your own Timeline
- Send as messenger – send the post as a message via Facebook Messenger
- Copy link – copy the post URL to paste elsewhere
The Share menu allows you to share a post to your friends either publicly or privately via Messenger. Copy link gives you the URL to paste into an email, text, etc.
Why No Dedicated Share Button?
Facebook deliberately moved away from having a Share button directly on posts to simplify the user interface. Other options like Like, Comment, and Share forced users to process a lot of information at once.
Now only the most essential post interactions – Like, Comment, Share – are visible on each post. Less frequently used options are tucked away under the three-dot menu.
This follows interface design best practices – show only the most important actions to users upfront, and hide secondary functions under a menu.
How Lack of Share Button Impacts Engagement
Since the Share button was removed from Facebook posts, engagement metrics on posts have changed:
- Likes have increased – without Share competing for attention, more people Like posts
- Shares have decreased – with the extra click to share, fewer people go through with it
- Comments have stayed steady – the Comment button remains highly visible
Pages notice the decrease in Shares the most. It takes extra effort for users to share posts now, so they’re less likely to do it. For businesses and organizations relying on viral post shares, this has negatively impacted their reach.
Here’s an example of how share numbers can differ with and without a Share button:
| Post Type | Likes | Shares | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Share button | 100 | 50 | 20 |
| Without Share button | 150 | 15 | 18 |
As you can see, removing the Share button corresponds to a huge drop in Shares, a slight decrease in Comments, but a significant increase in Likes. This demonstrates how Users interact differently when certain options are made less convenient.
Alternatives for Sharing Facebook Posts
Although posts no longer have a Share button, here are some ways you can still share posts with friends on Facebook:
Share to Your Timeline or Story
Use the “Share Now” option to easily share a post to your own Timeline or as a Facebook Story that disappears after 24 hours.
Send as Messenger Message
You can send any post via Messenger to friends or groups. Just click “Send as Messenger” and choose the recipient(s).
Copy and Paste Link in Messenger
Use “Copy Link” to grab the post URL, then paste it in a Messenger chat to share with friends.
Share in a Private Facebook Group
In any Group you manage or are a member of, you can share posts to start a discussion. Just copy and paste the link or share via Messenger.
Share on Your News Feed
Make a new status update with your thoughts that includes the copied post link. This shares the post publicly to all your friends and followers.
While not as seamless as a Share button, these workarounds let you still get the word out about posts you find interesting or important.
Will Facebook Ever Bring Back the Share Button?
It’s unlikely Facebook will restore the dedicated Share button on posts at this point. The current simplified design aligns with their emphasis on cleaning up and streamlining the user experience to focus on the most meaningful interactions.
Adding buttons and options back on each post would go against the minimalist direction they’ve chosen. Unless there’s an outcry from a huge portion of users demanding a Share return, Facebook seems intent on keeping posts limited to Like, Comment, and Share via menu only.
Facebook frequently tests new designs and features, so a Share button could always return in a limited test. But for the foreseeable future, expect sharing options to remain tucked under each post’s three-dot menu.
Conclusion
Facebook removed the Share button from posts in 2014 as part of a major redesign focused on simplifying the user interface. Dedicated Like, Comment, and Share buttons were consolidated to reduce clutter. Users now have to click the three-dot menu and choose Share to repost content.
This change decreased overall post sharing, since the extra click discourages resharing. But it also led to more Likes and a cleaner post presentation. Given Facebook’s priorities, the Share button is unlikely to return. Instead, users must rely on workarounds like copying the link or using Messenger to share posts.