You must have received a notification from Facebook informing you about the changes to your group privacy settings. If you had a secret or closed group, you must be wondering why is it private now? And what does a private group mean? All your questions regarding the new group privacy settings will be answered in this post.
Facebook groups are becoming popular day by day. They are a mini social network of its present inside Facebook. Each group is different than the other. You can find people similar to you in these groups based on their habits, location, likings, and more.
Privacy plays an important role in a group. Here you will get to know the difference between the existing and new Facebook group privacy settings.
Let’s check it out.
What Are New Group Privacy Settings
In an attempt to simplify group settings, Facebook recently renamed its group privacy settings. Earlier, there were three privacy settings for groups — public, closed, and secret. Now there are only two — public and private. In addition to renaming privacy settings, Facebook has introduced a new visibility setting. It applies to private groups only. You can choose between visible and hidden in this new setting.
What Happens When Facebook Changed the Privacy Settings
When the new privacy changes apply to your group, Facebook will automatically assign it to the right privacy settings. That is, if your group was public, it would remain public. If your group was closed, it would become private, with the visibility setting set to visible. Finally, secret groups will become private as well. However, their visibility setting will be hidden.
Old Public vs. New Public Group
Nothing has changed for public groups. All their privacy capabilities continue to remain true in the new group settings. That is, anyone can find public groups through search or on the newsfeed. Their content is not limited to the members of the group alone. Instead, it can be seen by anyone without a Facebook account too. Their member list is also public and is visible to anyone on Facebook.
Closed and Secret vs. Private Group
Both the closed and secret groups have been changed to private groups. You must be wondering that both had different privacy features earlier. So what happens to the existing privacy settings such as group visibility, posts visibility, and more?
Similar to the previous privacy settings for closed and secret groups, only the members of the private groups have access to what’s happening inside the group. That is, only they can post in the group and view other posts.
The thing that separated them was the search visibility. Earlier, closed groups were visible in search, and secret groups were hidden from search. Now, since both are private, it’s the new hide group setting that makes all the difference.
Difference Between Hidden and Visible Groups
If the visibility setting is kept active, then the group will appear in the search results for everyone, including the non-members of the group. And if it is hidden, then only the members of the group can view the group via search. Others will not see the group anywhere, as if it doesn’t exist.
The group’s name and description will be visible to anyone in the case of visible groups. But for hidden groups, only the current, invited, and former members can see it.
Who Can Join Hidden and Visible Groups
Anyone on Facebook can request to join a visible group. But that’s not possible for hidden groups. An invite needs to be sent from an existing member of the group to other Facebook users so that they can join it. Also, the former members of the group can request to join it.
Who Can See Members and Admins of Group
That depends on both the privacy of the group and its visibility. If your group is public, then everyone can see the group members and its admins, including moderators.
But if the group is private, then only the current members of the group can view other members. Everyone can see admins and moderators in the case of visible groups. For hidden groups, only the invited members and current members can see group admins and moderators.
Can a Public Group Be Hidden from Search Results
No. The hide group settings do not apply to public groups as everything about them is visible to people on Facebook. In case you want to hide a public group, you need to convert it into a private group first, as shown below, and then change the visibility settings.
How to Check Privacy of a Group
For that, open the group either on the desktop or mobile apps. You will find the privacy level of the group mentioned below the group name.
How to Check if Group Is Hidden or Visible
Here’s how to check group visibility.
View Group Visibility on Mobile Apps
For that, open the group. If you are a group member, tap on the group name. You will see the group visibility in the About section.
If you are a non-member, open the group, and you will see the group visibility in the group description.
View Group Visibility on PC
If you are a group member, click on About in the left panel of the group. The group visibility will be shown in the group description.
For non-members, open the group, and you will find the visibility directly under the group description.
Can Facebook Friends See Your Posts and Comments in Other Groups
If the group is public, then, yes, your Facebook friends will be able to see your comments and posts that you make in that group even if they haven’t joined the group.
On the contrary, your posts and comments aren’t visible to your Facebook friends for private groups (for both hidden and visible categories) unless they are members of the same group.
Things to Keep in Mind While Changing Group Privacy
Before changing the group privacy settings, do take care of these two points.
Time Limit for Changing Group Privacy
You cannot change the privacy of a group daily or even weekly. Facebook limits changing group privacy only once every 28 days. But if you accidentally changed the group privacy, you have 24 hours to change it. Once the time frame is over, you will have to wait for 28 days before you can change it again.
Member Limit for Changing Group Privacy
If your group has fewer than 5000 members, you can change the group privacy from private to public and vice versa anytime.
However, if your private group has more than 5000 members, you cannot change it to the public. You will have to create a new public group. But, you can change the public group to private anytime, for there are no member restrictions.
How to Change Group Privacy and Visibility
The group privacy settings are modifiable by the group admin only. If you are an admin, you can change the privacy and visibility settings of the group.
Change Group Privacy on Mobile Apps
Step 1: Open the group whose privacy settings you want to modify.
Step 2: Tap on the badge icon at the top-right corner and select Group Settings.
Step 3: Tap on Privacy and Hide Group to modify them.
Change Group Privacy on Desktop
Step 1: Open the group.
Step 2: Click on the More button and select Edit group settings from the menu.
Step 3: Scroll down in settings. You will find Privacy and Hide group setting. Change them as per your needs.
Are People Notified When You Change the Group Privacy Settings
Yes. If you change from public to private or vice versa, all the group members will be notified about the change. However, if you only change the visibility of the group to visible or hidden, then Facebook doesn’t notify the group members.
Manage Groups like a Wizard
As mentioned before, you don’t have to change the privacy settings manually. Facebook will take care of it and apply the applicable settings. You will be asked to set the privacy setting only when you are creating a new group. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy the group features.
Next up: Want to block someone on Facebook? Know what happens when you block a user on Facebook.
FAQs
What is the difference between a secret group and a closed group on Facebook? ›
To join a closed group you have to be approved by an administrator or invited by a current member. Secret groups offer the same level of privacy as closed groups under a cloak of invisibility. No one can search for secret groups or request to join them. The only way to get in is to know someone who can invite you.
What is the difference between a closed and open Facebook group? ›There are 2 privacy settings for Facebook groups: Public: anyone on or off Facebook can see who's in the group and what they post. Private: only members can see who's in the group and what they post. Learn more about the differences between public and private groups.
What is a secret Facebook group? ›Group admins can choose to make their group visible or hidden. Visible: Anyone can find the group in search and other places on Facebook. Hidden: Only members can find the group in search and other places on Facebook.
Is it better to have a private or public group on Facebook? ›Public groups can't be hidden, and they're a good option if you want to prioritize quantity in terms of group members. If you want to scale fast and it doesn't really matter who joins, this option can work. In most cases, however, private Facebook groups are going to be the best bet for businesses.
Are closed FB Groups private? ›That is, if your group was public, it would remain public. If your group was closed, it would become private, with the visibility setting set to visible.
Can others see the closed Facebook groups you're in? ›Still, all information is shared only with those within the group once it's made closed. Others will still be able to see that the group exists, but they won't be able to see its members or any posts or information within the closed Group unless they are invited.
Can anyone add members to a closed group? ›In public groups and private visible groups, they'll be automatically approved. In private hidden groups, they'll have to be approved by a group admin. Only the person who received the email can join the group with that link.
Are posts to a closed group visible? ›Your group posts will still be published on your Timeline, but they will only be seen by other members of that closed group. In other words, your Facebook friends who aren't also members of that group (and members of the public at large) won't be able to see the posts you make in a closed group.
What is a closed group? ›a group consisting of only those members who constitute the original group. In counseling or therapy, the term refers to a group that excludes new members during the course of therapy.
What does closed Facebook mean? ›Closed Facebook groups are exclusive groups, that are visible to anyone and everyone in a search, much like any public group. However, you cannot view the group's content until you become a member. You must request to join the group.
How can you tell if a Facebook group is private? ›
Tap in the top right of Facebook, then tap Groups and select your group. You can find the privacy of the group below the group's name. Learn more about the differences between public and private groups. Was this helpful?
How do you make a closed group on Facebook? ›- Tap in the top right of Facebook, then tap Groups.
- Tap Create Group.
- Enter your group name.
- Select the privacy option. If you selected private, select whether to make your group visible or hidden.
- Tap Create.
- Add people to your group.
The same happened to several other groups, then group admins panicked, fearing that their groups would be taken down as well. So, they made the switch to “secret” in a bid to limit the influx of new members. As you will already know, secret groups require an invitation from a member for anyone else to join.
Why should Facebook groups be private? ›The main reason for selecting a private Facebook group is to make sure the contents remain inside with the group members. Outsiders won't have any access to the contents unless they become members of that particular private Facebook group.
Why are all the Facebook groups going private? ›A Facebook spokesperson says, “We removed several Groups from Facebook after detecting content that violated our policies. We since discovered that this content was posted to sabotage legitimate, non-violating Groups. We're working to restore any Groups affected and to prevent this from happening again.”
How do I invite people to a secret Facebook group? ›Admins and members can use a link to invite others to a private hidden group if the admins allow. The link can be shared on or off Facebook. Once someone receives the invite to join the group, they'll then have to request to join and be approved by a group admin.
Why can't I add a friend to a private Facebook group? ›In public groups and private visible groups, they'll be automatically approved. In private hidden groups, they'll have to be approved by a group admin. Only the person who received the email can join the group with that link. The link will expire after 28 days.
Can you be added to a Facebook group without permission? ›All groups require member approval by either an admin or another group member, depending on the group's settings. In the case of public and closed groups, anyone can see the list of members of the group, its name, and topic. In secret groups, only current members of the group can see the member list.
Can you share a post from a closed group? ›There is no share button for posts in a closed group. However, you can still share a post from a closed group by copying the post's link and sharing it. Keep in mind that only members of the closed group can access the link.
What are the benefits of a closed group? ›Members of the group can feel like part of a team. They feel special and valued. Learn from others – Closed Group Therapy allows members to learn from the experiences of others. Members are able to look objectively at mistakes and successes of individuals within the group.
What is an example of a closed group? ›
Examples of closed groups include: Women's only groups. Men's only groups. Parents' groups.
What is the difference between open and closed groups? ›Is the group open or closed? Open groups are those in which new members can join at any time. Closed groups are those in which all members begin the group at the same time. They may all take part in a 12-week session together, for instance.
How do I make my Facebook completely private to the public? ›Tap in the top right of Facebook. Tap Settings & privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down to Audience and visibility section and tap the option you want to change the privacy for.
What's the difference between a page and a group on Facebook? ›Facebook Pages are designed for businesses, organizations, and brands to promote their products and services. They offer businesses a way to reach out to a large audience, build brand awareness, and drive traffic to their website. Facebook Groups are designed for people with common interests to connect with each other.
Can you have a closed Facebook page? ›What is a Closed Facebook Group? A Closed Facebook Group is a feature located at the left menu of your Facebook Home Page. It is a feature that allows anyone to create a private or public group for business or personal purposes.
What are the best Facebook groups to join? ›- Maths formulas – 3.6 Million members. ...
- WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW – 3.3 Million members. ...
- Instant Pot – 2.8 Million members. ...
- Keto & Low Carb Recipes for Beginners – 2.4 Million members. ...
- Banting 7 day meal plan – 2.3 Million members. ...
- View from my window – 3.1 Million members.
What are the privacy options for Facebook groups?
Intro to Facebook Groups: Open, Closed, and Secret Groups ...
Open Vs. Closed Groups on Facebook
a group consisting of only those members who constitute the original group. In counseling or therapy, the term refers to a group that excludes new members during the course of therapy.
Can anyone add members to a closed group? ›In public groups and private visible groups, they'll be automatically approved. In private hidden groups, they'll have to be approved by a group admin. Only the person who received the email can join the group with that link.
What does closed Facebook mean? ›Closed Facebook groups are exclusive groups, that are visible to anyone and everyone in a search, much like any public group. However, you cannot view the group's content until you become a member. You must request to join the group.
How do I open a secret group on Facebook? ›
How to Create a Secret Group in Facebook - YouTube
What are the benefits of a closed group? ›Members of the group can feel like part of a team. They feel special and valued. Learn from others – Closed Group Therapy allows members to learn from the experiences of others. Members are able to look objectively at mistakes and successes of individuals within the group.
What is an example of a closed group? ›Examples of closed groups include: Women's only groups. Men's only groups. Parents' groups.
What is the difference between open and closed groups? ›Is the group open or closed? Open groups are those in which new members can join at any time. Closed groups are those in which all members begin the group at the same time. They may all take part in a 12-week session together, for instance.
How can I stop someone adding me to groups on Facebook? ›One of the easiest ways to prevent anyone from inviting you back to a group (especially if it's a spam group) is to join the group and then leave it. Select Leave Group. A confirmation window will appear. You'll see a toggle beside the option to Prevent people from inviting you to join this group again.
How do I invite people to a secret Facebook group? ›Admins and members can use a link to invite others to a private hidden group if the admins allow. The link can be shared on or off Facebook. Once someone receives the invite to join the group, they'll then have to request to join and be approved by a group admin.
Why can't I add a friend to a private Facebook group? ›In public groups and private visible groups, they'll be automatically approved. In private hidden groups, they'll have to be approved by a group admin. Only the person who received the email can join the group with that link. The link will expire after 28 days.
Are private groups searchable? ›A simple search can find private groups on the Facebook search bar. Unlike Public groups, these are shown with privacy, the number of members and Facebook group description.
Can you see members of a private Facebook group? ›Anyone on Facebook can see who's a member of a public group. In a private group, you have to be a member to see who the other members are. Keep in mind that Pages may join a private group, and anyone who manages the Page can see who's in the group.
Will my friends see if I post in a private group? ›It all depends on if the Facebook group is Public or Private. If it is a Public group, then everything you post inside the group will be visible to all your Facebook friends. If you post in a Private group, then only the other members of the group will be able to see your posts.
What is the biggest Facebook group? ›
| Rank | Facebook Group | Members |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deepika Sharma | 7,945,423 |
| 2 | Our Evergreen Bangladesh | 6,266,467 |
| 3 | Makeup Artists | 4,893,545 |
| 4 | Cheap Meal Ideas | 4,103,345 |