When I coach people on how to use Facebook I emphasize that although Facebook encourages you to share, you are ultimately in control of how you share your data. Yes there is data Facebook considers public – your name, profile picture, gender, cover photo, networks, and username.
All else on Facebook you control, that is if you can find how to set your privacy options! Facebook recently added a Privacy Shortcuts link to its top blue menu bar (desktop) to help you access your Privacy Settings. You can click on See More Settings from Privacy Shortcuts to see additional Privacy and Account settings.
However some Facebook Privacy Settings are not as obvious or easy to find. Here are 5 that you may have missed and how to navigate them from your desktop (mobile experience will vary):
1. Set privacy for your Friends List – do you want others to be able to view your Friends List? Click on Friends from your Timeline, then look for the pencil at the top right of the list. When you click on this pencil you can edit your privacy settings for your Friends List as well as those you Follow. (Note you automatically Follow your Friends. You can also Follow others without becoming their Friend if they have enabled this feature.)
2. Opt out of appearing in Facebook Ads– Do you want your name and/or profile picture to appear in a Facebook or Third party ad? There are two settings to take a look at, which give permission to pair your social actions (a Like of a business for example) with an ad. One is a Facebook ad, the other is an ad on another website (however this is not a current feature). Click on Privacy Shortcuts, See More Settings, then Ads. Choose Edit in two places – for Third Party Sites, also Ads and Friends, so you can select the No One option to opt out. Don’t forget to Save Changes.
3. Opt out of receiving Facebook Ads based upon your web browsing activity outside of Facebook. Do you want to see ads on Facebook based upon your online browsing/shopping? Perhaps handy, perhaps creepy. Click on Privacy Shortcuts, See More Settings, then Ads. There is an Opt Out option within Website and Mobile App Custom Audiences. If you do choose to Opt Out, note that if you at a later time clear your browser cookies, you will have to opt out again.
4. Restricted List – add a “friend “ to your Restricted list. If you do, they will only see items you post publicly. Handy if you confirm a friend request for someone you are uncomfortable sharing with. They will not know you have restricted them. Click on Privacy Shortcuts, See More Settings, then Blocking, then Edit next to Restricted List. Alternatively click on Friends on the Cover Photo of the Timeline of your friend, Add to Another List (if Restricted is not shown), and click on Restricted.
5. Share Options for Your Personal Data: Do you know whom you are sharing your personal data with? Click on Update Info from the bottom of your Cover Photo. Each item of information has an icon which depicts your share option. If you don’t see one, click on the Edit pop up when you hover over the item. Click on the icon to see/set your sharing preference. Again, don’t forget to Save Changes. You may be surprised at what info you are sharing publicly.
Hope this post helps you take fuller control of your Facebook sharing. Periodically check the Settings pages, as Facebook does at times change wording and setting options. Happy sharing (or not)!
Jeri Usbay 