Facebook has become an integral part of many people’s lives since it launched in 2004. With over 2.8 billion monthly active users as of 2020, Facebook is the biggest social media platform in the world. However, some users reach a point where they want to take a break from Facebook or delete their account altogether. When they try to do so, they often find the process of deactivating or deleting a Facebook account to be confusing and difficult.
How Does Facebook Make It Hard to Deactivate?
There are a few key ways Facebook makes it challenging for users to deactivate their accounts:
Confusing Settings and Options
Facebook does not make the settings for deactivating or deleting an account simple to find. There is no “deactivate account” or “delete account” option clearly visible in the settings. Users must navigate through confusing menus of options to start the process. There is a “deactivate” option, but it is buried among many other account settings.
No Permanent Delete Option
When users try to delete their Facebook account, they quickly find there is no way to permanently delete an account. The only option is to “deactivate” the account. Deactivated accounts can easily be reactivated by logging in again, so this does not allow users to truly close their account and leave Facebook.
Lengthy Deactivation Process
The process Facebook makes users go through to deactivate an account involves several steps and pages asking them if they are sure they want to deactivate. Users have to confirm over and over that they want to go through with it before the deactivation will process.
Suggestions to Stay on Facebook
As users go through the deactivation steps, Facebook will make suggestions or show notices intended to make people keep their account active. For example, it may say “Are you sure? Your profile, photos, posts, and everything else will no longer be viewable on Facebook.” This makes some users second guess if they want to go through with closing their account.
No Clear Timeline for Deactivation
Facebook does not make it clear how long deactivation takes. Some users have reported that it can take anywhere from several hours to several days for a deactivated account to show as disabled. This uncertainty leaves users wondering if their account was actually deactivated.
Easy Account Reactivation
As mentioned above, deactivated Facebook accounts are very easy to reactivate just by logging in. This makes the deactivation process feel temporary and discouraged users from going through all the trouble of closing their account if they can just log right back in.
Why Would Facebook Make Deactivation Difficult?
Facebook is a business, and like any business, they want to keep customers (users) using their platform. Here are some of the main reasons why Facebook intentionally makes it challenging to deactivate accounts:
Keep User Numbers High
Facebook wants to keep its user base as large as possible. The more monthly active users it can report to shareholders and advertisers, the better. If users could easily leave, those numbers would decrease.
Maintain Ad Revenue
Facebook’s main source of revenue is advertising. The more users Facebook retains, the more ad views and clicks they can sell. Deactivations hurt their bottom line.
Gather User Data
Facebook collects an incredible amount of data about its users’ online behaviors, interests, personalities, and habits. If users leave Facebook, the company loses access to all that valuable data they use for targeted advertising.
Hope Users Return
Facebook knows that even if users deactivate, they may change their mind and come back later. By making deactivation reversible, they leave the door open for users to return and reengage with the platform.
Pressure from Investors
Facebook is a publicly traded company. The investors and shareholders likely pressure Facebook to keep user numbers high by making account closure difficult. Higher user engagement numbers keep the stock price up.
Examples of Facebook Making Deactivation Difficult
Here are some real-life examples of the confusing steps and options Facebook puts users through when trying to deactivate an account:
Hidden Deactivate Option
This screenshot shows how buried the “Deactivate Account” option is under many irrelevant account settings:
Lengthy Deactivation Process
This example shows the multi-step process just to deactivate temporarily:
Suggestions to Stay
Facebook tries to make users reconsider deactivating:
Tips for Deactivating a Facebook Account
If you are set on deactivating your Facebook account, here are some tips to make the process easier:
Use a Web Browser
It’s simpler to deactivate Facebook from a desktop web browser rather than the mobile app. Navigate to www.facebook.com in your browser.
Bookmark Deactivation Page
From your Facebook homepage, go to Settings > Your Facebook Information > Deactivation and Deletion. Bookmark this page.
Re-Visit Bookmark to Deactivate
When ready to deactivate, click your bookmarked deactivation page link. This skips navigating through settings.
Know It Takes Time
Be prepared for the deactivation to take hours or longer to complete behind the scenes after you click “Continue to Account Deactivation.”
Resist Urge to Reactivate
Facebook will tempt you to undo deactivation. Stick with your decision if deactivating was your goal.
Should You Delete or Deactivate?
If you are considering closing your Facebook account, know that there is an important difference between deactivating and permanently deleting:
| Deactivate | Delete |
|---|---|
| – Reversible | – Permanent |
| – Temporarily disables profile | – Removes profile and data entirely |
| – Can reactivate whenever | – Very difficult to restore account |
| – Easier process | – Long complex process |
As you can see, deactivation is temporary while deletion is permanent. Facebook makes deletion extremely challenging, so most users opt for deactivation.
Conclusion
In summary, Facebook intentionally makes it difficult to deactivate and delete accounts. Confusing settings, repetitive warnings, easy reactivation, and lack of permanent deletion all discourage users from leaving. But with determination and the right steps, you can still deactivate temporarily. Just be prepared to navigate Facebook’s roadblocks. While Facebook will try to retain you, the choice is ultimately yours if you no longer want their service.