Quick answer: To control your Facebook privacy, open Settings & privacy → Settings, then use Privacy Checkup to review who can see your posts, how people can find you, and which apps have access. Turn on two-factor authentication in Accounts Centre → Password and security, set future posts to Friends, limit old public posts, and review tagging and profile visibility. Menu names change from time to time, but these areas are always where the key settings live.
Start with Privacy Checkup
Privacy Checkup walks you through the most important settings in a few minutes. Open your profile menu, go to Settings & privacy, then Privacy Checkup. It covers:
- Who can see what you share: profile details, future posts and stories.
- How to keep your account secure: password and login alerts.
- How people can find you: friend requests and search by email or phone.
- Your data settings: apps and websites you have logged in to with Facebook.
- Ad preferences: what information is used to show you ads.
Control who sees your posts
- Default audience: set future posts to Friends instead of Public.
- Limit past posts: use “Limit who can see past posts” to change all old public posts to Friends in one step.
- Per post: you can change the audience on any single post using the audience button next to the date.
- Custom lists: create lists such as “Close friends” or “Work” for more control.
Profile and tagging settings
- Choose who can see your friends list, birthday, workplace and contact details.
- Turn on review tags so you approve photos and posts you are tagged in before they appear on your profile.
- Use View as on your profile to see what the public can see.
- Lock your profile if this option is available in your region.
Secure your account
- Go to Accounts Centre → Password and security.
- Turn on two-factor authentication, ideally with an authenticator app rather than SMS.
- Check Where you’re logged in and log out of devices you do not recognise.
- Turn on login alerts.
- Use a strong, unique password, stored in a password manager.
If you run a business Page or ads, this step is essential. Hacked accounts are a common reason ad accounts get disabled.
Apps, websites and off-Facebook activity
- Review Apps and websites and remove anything you no longer use.
- Check Your activity off Meta technologies to see which businesses share data with Meta, and clear or disconnect it if you wish.
- Download a copy of your information from Accounts Centre if you want a backup.
Ad preferences
In Accounts Centre → Ad preferences you can see why you see certain ads, hide advertisers, and adjust ad topics. You cannot turn ads off, but you can make them less personal.
Settings for business Pages
- Give people the lowest level of access they need on your Page and Business Portfolio.
- Remove former staff and agencies straight away.
- Set up moderation filters for offensive words in comments.
- Keep at least two trusted admins so you are never locked out.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hide my Facebook profile from search engines?
Yes. In privacy settings, turn off the option allowing search engines outside Facebook to link to your profile.
Can people see my friends list?
Only if you allow it. Set your friends list visibility to Friends or Only me.
How do I stop strangers messaging me?
In message delivery settings, choose where messages from people you do not know go, such as message requests, or do not receive them.
Using Facebook for business? Read how Facebook ads work and how to get more Facebook likes.