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facebook timeline

6 Useful Facebook Timeline Tips Every User Should Know

As of 2019, Facebook has 2.41 billion active users, which makes it the most popular social media platform in the world. Not only is it an excellent way to network with your friends, but it’s also a great platform to express yourself on.

If you already have an account, you may have noticed there’s a bunch of ways to customize your profile and interact with your friends. But sometimes, the more choices you have, the more confusing it gets.

Don’t worry. In this article, we’ll discuss 6 useful Facebook timeline tips every user should know. You’ll be a Facebook pro in no time.

1. Select Your Preferred View Option

When you’re on your profile, you can see all the posts you’ve made. The default is “list view,” which shows each post, along with the reacts and comments from your friends.

You can also choose “grid view.” This sorts each of your posts into boxes, which lets you find certain posts more easily. For instance, if you’re searching for a picture you posted weeks ago, it’ll be more simple to scroll through grid view rather than list.

While the initial view won’t show you the reacts and comments, you can put your mouse cursor over a post to see what date’s associated with it and the reacts. To see the comments, you’ll have to click on the desired post.

You can swap between either view, so don’t think it’s a permanent decision.

2. Change Your Profile Picture

Your profile picture is what everyone on Facebook will identify you with, so make sure you upload a clear photo of yourself. While you may or may not be particularly attached to one picture, you should know that it’s not permanent. You can change your profile picture however many times you want!

Not only that, but there are frames you can choose for your photo too. These can either be permanent or temporary.

For instance, you can choose a frame for your favorite sports team for the time frame of when they’re in the championships. Once that period is over, your profile picture will return to normal.

Facebook makes it very easy to choose a photo of your liking. Once you click on “update profile picture,” it’ll show you your tagged photos, as well as your mobile uploads and pictures from your uploaded albums.

If you don’t like any of those images, you can also upload your own pictures from your computer. Or, if you’re fond of a previous profile picture, you can choose that one as well!

3. Set a Cover Photo

The cover photo is like the banner for your timeline. When someone clicks on your name, this will be the most prominent thing they see when they navigate onto your page. Because of this, you’ll want to pick something that’s representative of who you are.

Like with your profile picture, you can select a photo from your albums. This can be perfect if you want to display some important events in your life.

You can also create a collage. Just select the images you want from your albums; you can choose up to 6. The collage editor will automatically space them out across the dimensions to optimally display each photo you select.

Should you want to change your cover photo in the future, all you have to do is click on “update cover photo.”

4. Edit Your Personal Information

When people search for you on Facebook, they’ll be able to see information about you, such as places you’ve lived, contact information, and other details. You can fill in as many blanks as you want, but keep in mind these are set by default as public information.

For information you want to hide or restrict to friends only, click on the category. Then, you’ll usually see an icon of the world with “public” written next to it. Click on the dropdown menu and you can change to friends, only me, custom, or some other settings based on the location and groups your friends are in.

5. Share Life Events

Has something huge and exciting recently happened in your life? Then you should shout it out to the whole world! Or in this case, to all your Facebook friends!

Find the blank box that says “What’s on your mind?” to start. At the top, at the right-hand corner, you’ll see a flag icon with “life event” written.

When you click on it, you’ll be able to select a category, such as work, relationship, or family. You can then select a date, tag friends, add a location, and a short description.

When you click on “share,” all your friends will see your milestone! They’ll be able to comment on it and it’ll be saved in your timeline.

6. Manage Your Posts

Regret making a post or two? No problem!

Click on the button that says “manage posts.” You can then select posts individually or by month.

Once you’ve picked out all the posts you want gone from your timeline, you can do one of two things: you can either hide or delete the posts.

If you’re a sentimental person and want to remember the bad with the good, hiding the posts may be a better idea than outright deleting them. Otherwise, you can say goodbye to them forever with a click of a button.

Personalize Your Facebook Timeline

With these helpful tips, you’ll be able to personalize your Facebook timeline smoothly and easily.

The next time you want to make a post, you’ll be able to do so with the right audience. Or you can take advantage of the amazing features on it to make your profile look exactly how you want it. The possibilities are endless!

Do you still have questions about how Facebook works? Then ask our experts now!

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Block Facebook Ads

How to Block Facebook Ads

Do you ever feel bombarded with all the Facebook ads that pop up while scrolling or when watching videos?

You’re not the only one. However, keep in mind Facebook has over 2.2 billion users. This makes it a prime platform for businesses reaching for new audiences.

Fortunately, there are ways to block Facebook ads. With a little expert help, you can enjoy an ad-free Facebook experience.

Read on below to understand how:

What is a Facebook Ad?

A Facebook ad is a form of advertisement made by a business sent out to a Facebook audience. It’s based on their users’ activities, demographics, and profile information. In some cases, these ads also use your device information and your activities outside Facebook.

Each advertiser is different since they have their own set of goals. Some could have objectives in line with your interests, meaning you’ll get ads that show your interests on time. But in most cases, they can become intrusive and distracting.

With that, you need to take matters into your own hands by either reducing irrelevant ads or eliminating everything.

How to Block Facebook Ads

Facebook is a great social media platform, but its recent delve into more monetization methods made it inconvenient to some people. You’ll see sponsored posts as well as advertisements in their messenger app. With about 3 million businesses investing in Facebook Ads, it’s no surprise that you’d like to block them off.

The worst part is that Facebook needs revenue to keep its operations. That’s why the platform doesn’t have any “remove ads” feature within its platform. The only option you have is to customize your ad preferences.

Customizing ad preferences won’t remove or lessen the ads. But at least they’re better suited to the things that interest you. But if you want to block Facebook ads completely, you’ll need to use third-party software.

Here are some methods you can use:

How to Remove Irrelevant Facebook Ads

There are two ways for you to start seeing relevant ads on Facebook at least. This doesn’t remove all the Facebook ads in your newsfeed, but it gets rid of the most irrelevant ones.

Giving Regular Feedback

You can do this by clicking the three-dots button located in the upper right corner of the sponsored post. This will open a set of options, where you need to choose “Hide Ad.” This will ensure that you won’t see similar ads in the future.

Another option is to pick “Report Ad” if you find it offensive. Regardless, Facebook will give you a chance to explain why you chose to hide the ad. You can choose whether it’s irrelevant, misleading or offensive, or annoyingly persistent.

Customizing Your Preferences

Look at the upper right corner of your Facebook page and click the small triangle. Pick “Settings” and choose the “Ads” section located at the left side of your screen. This takes you to the Ad Preferences dashboard.

Pick “Your Interests” and check whether the information is correct. It’s important to list down as many interests as you’re comfortable with. That way, you’ll have a more personalized ad experience, meaning you’ll get more relevant ads.

Click “Your Information” and check the categories your profile is part of. You can adjust these settings to suit your preferences. After all, most advertisers will use this information to target the right audience.

You can also look at your “Ad Settings” since this enables you to disallow Facebook from using your behavior data on other sites and apps for their ad targeting process. If you want to ban specific ad topics like alcohol, click “Hide Ad Topics”.

How to Stop Facebook Ads Using an Ad Blocker

Customizing your ads isn’t always enough to remove the inconvenience they cause you. If you want to block off all the ads, you need to outsmart the platform. What you need to do is to get an ad blocker that stops the ads at a system level.

You can search the internet for these ad blockers and put them as part of your browser extensions. Once installed, it does the job on its own, as long as you don’t deactivate it. The best part is that most ad block extensions will also block various ads regardless of whether you’re visiting a website or using an app.

You can also use an ad blocker app that stops ads at a deeper level. That means you won’t have to install an adblocker extension for every browser you’re using. These often come at a price, but their blocking power is often worth the price tag.

How to Stop Ads in Facebook Messenger

This is the newest type of ad Facebook implemented for its messenger app. It’s also one of the most intrusive forms of ads so far. In-messenger ads often distract you more than the sponsored posts since the latter looks native at least.

Also, Facebook Messenger ads take more screen space compared to your actual friend conversations. That makes navigating your inbox a more frustrating experience. The worst part is that in-messenger Facebook ads use a new form of technology.

So, what does this mean? To put it simply, there is no means of blocking these ads for now. But most ad blocker companies are researching the technology to block it off. But for now, you should stay tuned and wait for more updates.

Get Rid of Facebook Ads Today!

These are the easiest ways for you to block Facebook ads. It isn’t much of a hassle since it doesn’t require a lot of effort to do. It’s important to remember that ads make up the majority of Facebook’s revenue, so it’s expected for them to develop technologies to counteract ad blockers soon.

Do you need help from professionals, regardless of their field of expertise? Feel free to read our other guides, like this one helping you determine if Facebook went down or if the problem is at your end.

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How to Temporarily Deactivate Facebook

How to Temporarily Deactivate Facebook: Your Complete Guide

Facebook is a great platform to connect to friends or expand your business. However, new studies show it can also lead to depression.

Fortunately, stepping away and staying safe without losing everything isn’t difficult.

If you’re planning to take a hiatus on social media, you need to learn how to temporarily deactivate Facebook. It’s simple enough, but if you lack the savviness in social media, you can always get Facebook experts to assist with the process.

Need help learning how to deactivate your Facebook account? Read on and find out more:

What’s the Difference Between Deactivating and Deleting a Facebook Account?

A lot of people mistake account deactivation with account deletion. These are entirely different processes since the latter is more serious compared to the former. Their only similarity is that they’ll both get your Facebook account offline.

Here are the differences between deactivating and deleting your account:

Facebook Account Deactivation

If you deactivate, you can always reactivate it at your leisure. In the meantime, people can’t search for you or see your timeline. But some information related to you will still be visible, such as the messages you sent to other people.

In case you reactivate, Facebook will have a backup of your account information. That means some information like your friends and interests will remain.

Facebook Account Deletion

Deleting your Facebook account means that the platform will hold on to your account after you request deletion. The platform cancels your deletion request if you log in within this period. In most cases, it’s within a few days after you delete your account.

Once the grace period passes, you won’t regain access to your Facebook account. But your stored data will stay up to 90 days in their backup system. The good news is that Facebook can’t access them.

Information like your sent messages will remain active since it isn’t stored in your account. Your log records can remain in Facebook’s database. The good news is that the company claims that such information becomes disassociated from your identifiers.

How to Temporarily Deactivate Facebook

Did you know that about 30% of people who use social media spend more than 15 hours online each week? Studies found that it contributes to your inability to enjoy real life. If you want to take a break from Facebook and other social media, here’s how to temporarily deactivate Facebook:

Look at the top right portion of your Facebook page. This is the same regardless of the browser and device you’re using. Look at the down arrow and click it since it opens the account menu.

When you get there, pick the “Settings” option. Once you’re there, go to the “General” page and choose “Manage Account.” You’ll see a lot of different options under this section, but skip to the very bottom since it’s where you’ll see the header for “Deactivate Your Account.”

As soon as you click the “Deactivate Your Account” option, Facebook will ask for your password. Before you can complete the process, Facebook will ask you for a reason for your deactivation. Select the most appropriate option before you finish confirming your temporary deactivation.

Always remember that you can come back at any time.

How to Restore Your Facebook Account

The best part about Facebook is that the account restoration process is simple. All you need to do is to go log back into Facebook using your username and password. An alternative is to go to a third-party app or website and use your Facebook credentials to log in.

Whatever the case, Facebook will send a verification code in your email address or mobile device. It’s to ensure that you’re the one logging in using your account. Make sure that your account’s listed email address and mobile number is up to date.

How to Delete Your Facebook Account From a Desktop Browser

Before you start with the deletion process, make sure that it’s something you’re set on doing. Once you’re set on abandoning the platform for good, go to the “Settings” and select “Your Facebook Information.”

Choose “Deactivation and Deletion” and pick the second option. As soon as you click on the button that says “Continue to Account Deletion,” you’re taken to the Deletion page. This screen will give you options before you complete the process.

On this screen, you have the option to switch to Facebook Deactivation instead. It will remind you that deleting your Facebook account also means deleting your Messenger and all your messages. It gives you one last reminder before you continue with the deletion.

You also have the option to download your Facebook information. It also lists the number of photos, posts, and other information stored within your account. It’s always great to make backups of your Facebook info, so click on the “Download Info” button first.

Once you’re ready to proceed, click on “Delete Account”. This will finish the entire process and remove your Facebook account as soon as the grace period ends.

How to Delete Your Facebook Account from the Mobile App

Using your mobile app to delete Facebook is similar to the browser process. You also have the option of downloading all your data. But if you’re a long-time user, you should do it on a computer since you’ll have a lot of information.

The only difference is that you should tap the three vertical lines located on the top right corner of your mobile screen. Look at the “Privacy and Settings” section and select “Settings.” From there, you’ll see “Account Ownership and Control”.

As soon as you tap that option, everything will be the same. Finish up the process and you’re done.

Get More Facebook Help Today!

If you want to know how to temporarily deactivate Facebook, this is the guide for you. It’s okay to take a break from social media sometimes, and this option serves that purpose. Don’t hesitate to take a step back and enjoy what the real world has to offer.

Do you need expert assistance? Take time to read our other guides today, like this one discussing what to do when Facebook isn’t working.

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How to Create a Facebook Event

It’s Party Time!: How to Create a Facebook Event

Do you need help organizing your next event?

Parties are great, but they come with a lot of caveats. One is that if you’re the sole planner, there’s an incredible amount of work to do. Hosting a party is one thing, but hosting a cool party or event that people actually show up to is another.

When you’re busy prepping and planning, it’s going to be headache-inducing to have to communicate with all your guests. You have to let people know what kind of event it is, what to wear, who else they can invite, and let people know about any last-minute changes.

That’s why so many people use Facebook to promote events nowadays. In this post, we’re going to tell you why Facebook is still doing it right when it comes to events and then show you how to create a Facebook event of your own.

Don’t let a lack of communication get in the way of your event going off without a hitch. Use Facebook and you can focus on what really matters: making your event the best party of the year.

Why Do Facebook Events Work?

Why do Facebook events work?

There are a few main reasons. Did you know that there are 2.3 billion active monthly users on Facebook? That probably means that a good chunk of your friends and associates are regularly using it. This alone is the biggest reason why it works so well for planning events.

That’s not the only reason, though. Facebook has been one of the go-to event-planning platforms for a decade now, so this is often where people expect to see events of any size appear.

Facebook allows you to communicate freely with the people that are helping you plan the event as well as those attending. When someone’s invited to your event, they’ll receive a notification anytime something has changed or you’ve made an announcement.

This communication aspect is a key element of Facebook’s success when it comes to events. The real-time updates will keep everyone in the loop about what’s going on. It gives you the freedom to plan the way that you want to.

You can also gauge attendance with an event. If you want to boost attendance, you can instruct your guests to invite some guests of their own or if you want to restrict access, you can make it a private event.

Everything is easy to do on Facebook, so let’s dig in and figure out how to plan your event.

How to Create a Facebook Event

Creating a Facebook event takes as long as you want it to. It really depends on how detailed you want to be with your description, how specific you want to be with your guest list, and if you want to customize your event page.

Let’s start with the basics. Here’s how you create an event on Facebook:

  • From your news feed (aka the front page), click the “Events” icon on the left menu.
  • On the Events landing page, click the “+ Create Event” icon. This will start the creation process. A drop-down menu will appear where you can either choose to make it a private or public event. You can’t change a private event to a public event later, FYI.
  • Once you’re on the event creation page, start with uploading a picture or choosing a theme. If you upload a photo, this is what your guests will see as the “cover photo” of the event. Facebook provides a bank of themes you can choose from, as well.
  • Then, name your event, give it a location, date, a start and end time (if there is one…).
  • Type in a description. This is where you’ll give your guests the rundown about why you’re holding the event, what’s going to happen at the event, and why your invitees need to attend. Be as brief or as long-winded as you please.
  • Edit anything else that you want to. If you’ve made it a public event, for example, you can add keywords that’ll help interested people find the event page.
  • Once you’re satisfied with the details of the event, scroll down to the bottom and click “Create” (or “Create Private Event”) and you’re event page will go live.
  • Afterward, a screen will pop up, allowing you to invite people from your friend list to get the guest list started.

That’s it! In a few quick steps, you can create your event from scratch and start inviting people. Anytime you need to make edits, just go back to this page and you can edit any of the categories, including the name, the picture, the date and location, and the description.

You can promote the event directly on Facebook or link to it from your other social media accounts and your website (if you have one). If it’s an open event, you can encourage your guests to spread the word, invite people on Facebook, and link to it themselves.

Doing It On Your Phone

One more reason to create your event on Facebook is that you can do it from your phone. Just download the Facebook app and log in. From the front page, click the 3-bar icon, which will bring up a menu where you can click the “Events” icon.

From the Events page, click “Create” in the top right corner and select the type of event that you want (private or public). In the creation screen, you’ll essentially go through the same process as you do on your desktop version.

Fill in the title, click the camera icon to choose an event picture, then fill out the location, date, time, and description. When you’re done, scroll to the bottom and click “Publish”, then your event will be live. See? It’s just as easy to do on your phone.

Get Back to Planning

Being able to create, promote, and update your event directly on Facebook makes it so much easier to get back to planning.

The more time and money you save from avoiding having to make invitations and send out update emails, the more you can pour into the actual event. Learning how to create a Facebook event will create buzz around your party, but your hard work and planning will make it memorable.

If you found this article useful, come back and visit our website for more Facebook help.

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How to Get More Facebook Followers

How to Get More Facebook Followers for Your Business Page

One assumes that you are reading this post on how to get more Facebook followers because you have set up your pages correctly, ensured everything is public, and you have started posting. One also assumes that you have done everything right so far, and now you want to know how to ramp up your visitor, view, and new-follower counts.

This article doesn’t offer spammy methods for throwing petrol on the fire for a quick burst. This article offers ways to tend, poke, and feed the fire so it grows over the long term.

How to Get More Facebook Followers Using Groups

Groups on Google Plus were the only reason that social media network went as long as it did. Sadly, Facebook doesn’t do groups as well, but they do pay off for people who are willing to invest lots of time into them.

The first step is finding the right ones for you. These are groups that attract your target audience. You also need to find groups that are both active and have a healthy number of followers.

You also need to consider the admins and what they allow. Some will allow spammers to ruin the group, and others are so strict that they will kick you off if you post a link or dare to write something that is even remotely “ism.” Even something innocuous like how the Chinese symbol for sadness looks like a man with big eyes smiling.

Then, it is just a case of gathering followers using the 80/20 rule. Around 80% of your posts should be group-topic related, and 20% should be topic-related with links to your Facebook Fan page.

Text-Only Just Doesn’t Cut It

While learning how to get more followers on Facebook page and business pages, you will start to notice how text-only posts are seemingly ineffective when it comes to getting new Facebook followers. With the exception of a minority, such as a business page that offers funny quotes from old comedians, there is really no place for a text-only strategy.

Your Facebook fan page needs a good variety: posts that are long and short; that use text only, videos only; and images only. The most effective posters are the ones who mix it up. Posting the same type of content with the same format may work well on blogs, but it seems to fall flat on Facebook, especially if the posts are text-only.

Should You Buy Facebook Followers?

In a perfect world, you could buy Facebook followers to get your Facebook pages started and give them a little credibility. However, if you have ever tried it, you will know the painful frustration that comes with it.

After trawling company websites and freelance sites, all I received were offers for very poor quality returns. In short, if you ever wanted to get yourself banned from Facebook, these were the companies and freelancers that would do it for you.

So, I took a detailed approach and received new offers from freelancers. I remember a very long offer that promised plenty, so I asked how she intended to complete the things she offered. She replied, “By organic methods.” That was all she wrote. I asked another freelancer some more pointed and detailed questions, including things I didn’t want him to do, and his reply was. “I will use other methods.”

Unless you enjoy frustration, do not buy Facebook followers unless you know and trust the seller.

Getting Help from Marketing Companies

Your options are broad if you decide to pay for help. You can pay for things such as Facebook boosts, which is where you pay money to have your business page advert splattered across other people’s news feeds.

Plus, there are large American consultancy firms that cost a fortune but can guarantee results. Then there are smaller marketing business and Facebook help businesses that can also drive new followers to your business pages.

Engage Every Day with Likes, Shares and Comments

The web articles that tell you to post every day do not have your best interests at heart. Within three months, you will have run so dry of content that you will be rewriting whatever you find in the first page of Google.

Twitter and Facebook used to reward people who posted every day, but now they reward those who engage every day. By all means, if you have good content, then post it on your page, and post it on carefully-chosen Facebook groups. However, engaging is what works.

Engaging means scrolling through other people’s stories, through group posts, and comments. It means making comments, clicking like, and sharing.

Let’s say you are tracking your new-follower count and your view count. Do not go on Facebook for a week, and notice how your new-follower count and your view count starts to drop radically.

You Can Get Lucky If You Engage

Do not rely solely on posts on groups or posts on your Facebook Fan page. For example, I post and engage fairly regularly, but my most recent new-follower surge came after I made a comment in a Rick & Morty group.

The other person’s post was about how much of a loser the character Jerry was. I made the comment, “Awww, some of the Jerry moments are the best ones, like the time the wind calls him a loser.”

The comment I made received epic levels of attention that somehow filtered back to my business page. Did I get lucky? Yes, but I got lucky because I was engaging with the social media network.

Summing Up – Engage with The Social Network

Figuring out how to get more Facebook followers is less about strategy and more about engagement. There will be times when some posts seem to generate massive amounts of attention, and yet other similar posts have no impact at all. The more you engage, then the more chance you have of stimulating new interest. Even simple comments can draw people to you.

Developing a strong foundation of Facebook followers is difficult over the long term. Our help tool is here to provide answers that will help you succeed over the long term.

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hidden facebook features

Facebook Secrets: 10 Hidden Facebook Features That the Pros Use

Did you know that as of the first quarter of 2019, Facebook had a whopping 2.38 billion monthly active users?

In the U.S. alone, 69% of adults are on this super popular social networking platform. Of these Facebookers, three-fourths check their accounts at least once a day.

That’s how big Facebook is, what with its messaging, gaming, and video features.

But did you know that there are likely as many hidden Facebook features as the visible ones you may not be aware of?

That’s right! And it’s time you learn more about these to up your Facebook experience. Many of them are also for your own privacy and security.

Ready to learn more about these features? Then let’s get this list of lesser-known Facebook tips and features started!

1. The “Friends Organizer” Feature

Facebook already has default friend lists like “Close Friends”, Acquaintances”, and “Restricted”. But you can also create a custom list, say “Family” or “Co-Workers” to help you better organize your friends. Custom lists also make placing restrictions easier (we’ll go deeper into this later).

To create a custom list, head to your Facebook home page or News Feed page. On the left panel, look for “Explore”, under which is the “Friends List”. If it’s not there, click on the “See More” option to bring it up.

On the “Friend Lists” page, click on “+ Create List”. Enter the names of all the “friends” you want to include in that list. Hit “Create” to save the list.

2. The “Restricted Friends” List

In 2016, 38.35% of Facebook users in the U.S. had between 200 and 500 friends. Almost 21% of users also had over 500 friends.

Let’s say you’re part of either group. The question is, do you really want all these “friends” to see all your posts? It’s possible you have a few who aren’t real-life buddies, so you don’t want to share all posts with them.

The good news is, there are several nifty Facebook features you can use in such cases. One is the “Restricted” option we mentioned above.

Before you post something, click on the “Friends” option beside “News Feed”. This will let you change who can see your post. Click “More” > “See All” > and then “Custom”. You can now specify who gets to see your posts and who doesn’t.

You can put individual names and entire friend lists in your custom privacy settings.

3. The “Previous Post” Finder

Maybe you were half-asleep when you posted something on Facebook. Or you were busy when someone tagged you in a post and then forgot about it.

Either way, you have vague recollections of something post-related. Now, you want to find it amidst the sea of posts on your timeline.

The “Posts” feature is one of the Facebook tricks to use in such cases. See that small inverted triangle on the upper right-hand corner of your Facebook page? Click that to bring down your account options and then choose “Settings”.

On the “Settings” page, click “Your Facebook Information” > “Access Your Information” > “Posts”. Under “Posts”, you’ll find several options, like “Your Posts” and “Posts You’re Tagged In”. Choose the one you want to check and review.

4. The “Past Comments” Finder

There’s also a similar feature for previous comments you posted. The option is still under the “Access Your Information” page, right below the “Posts” option. Click the “Comments” options, which will make the clickable “Comments” link appear.

Clicking that will direct you to a page containing all your posted comments. You’ll also find here comments of other people who mention your name.

This is a good way to review your comments and make edits as you wish. It can also refresh your memory in case you forgot to reply to someone.

5. The “Personal Facebook Data Back-Up Creator”

Want to have your own backup of everything you did on Facebook? Maybe you want to keep track of polls you’ve created for your business. Perhaps you want a backup of all conversations you’ve had.

Whatever the reason is, you can download your entire (or select) Facebook information. Head back to your settings and click on “Your Facebook Information”. Click on the “Download Your Information” option so you can start making backups.

6. The “Call-a-Friend” Feature (In Case of Account Lock Out)

One study found that over a third of Internet users forget a password at least once every week. If you’re one of these folks, you have a high risk of getting locked out of your Facebook account.

Luckily, you can “call a friend” in such cases, up to five them in fact. You can nominate these friends by going to “Settings” then “Security and Login”. Here, you’ll find the “Recommended” action to nominate friends you can call in case of a lockout.

7. The Human Facebook Support Expert

Speaking of calling a friend, Facebook doesn’t offer a direct phone or email support line. Yes, they may all be about socializing, but they’re not big on customer support. If you have a question, you need to rely on the Help Center, which is only a knowledge database.

So, here’s one of the best kept Facebook secrets: You can get expert Facebook help via phone or online chat. If you need Facebook support from experts, this is the fastest way to get the help you need.

8. The “Snooper-Finder” Feature

Another of the best Facebook secrets for security is the “Where You’re Logged In” feature. You’ll find this under “Security and Login”, right below the call-a-friend option. Here, you’ll find all devices that have accessed your account, including the time and place.

This is a great way to know if someone else aside from you have logged in to your account. If there’s something fishy in the list, you can log out from that device. You can also log out of all devices at once by hitting “Log Out of All Sessions”.

9. The “Hidden Inbox”

Did you know that there’s another Messenger folder aside from the main one? That’s right! This is the “Message Requests” inbox, where messages from people you aren’t friends with go to.

On the web platform, you’ll find this by clicking on the Messenger icon. Right beside the “Recent” option is the “Message Requests” folder. Click this to find out if there’s anyone you actually know trying to connect with you.

On the Messenger mobile app, you can access this “hidden” folder by tapping on the “People” icon. On the upper right hand, you’ll find a message balloon with three dots on it. That’ll bring up the Message Requests inbox.

10. The “Restricted Friend Request” Setting

Ever wondered how in the world you get those friend requests from people you don’t even know? Well, that’s because your Facebook friend request setting is set to “Everyone”.

You can change this to “Friends of Friends” by going to “Settings” then “Privacy”. Click “Edit” beside the question, “Who can send you friend requests?” then choose “Friends of Friends”.

Use these Hidden Facebook Features Now

There you have it, some of the hidden Facebook features you should know about and should use ASAP. With these, you can enjoy a higher level of privacy without having to unfriend people. Best of all, you can worry less about cybersecurity concerns.

Need more help with your Facebook account and want answers ASAP? Then ask a Facebook expert who can address your concerns right away!  

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how to memorialize a facebook account

How to Memorialize a Facebook Account

The last thing that comes to mind when a loved one dies is their Facebook account. But, knowing how to memorialize a Facebook account may be an essential part of organizing you or your loved one’s affairs. 

It may also be a therapeutic part of the grieving process. Grief is a complex state of being. Grief morphs and changes over time and the stages of grief can vary.

Sometimes what we need most is a sense of closure. To start, we need to understand what the death of a loved one means to us emotionally. We also need to determine how the financial aspects of their death will be handled.

But, the Digital Age also requires us to get our online presence in order. The internet, unfortunately, is full of scammers and hackers looking to make a quick buck. These con artists may attempt to take advantage of a Facebook account after someone passes on. 

They may attempt to steal data, scam your Facebook friends, or pretend to be the deceased individual.

Read on to learn how to memorialize your Facebook account to aid in the grieving process and prevent scam artists from taking advantage. 

Protection During Grief: How to Memorialize a Facebook Account

Online scams are on the rise. Scammers are becoming more and more clever and sinister when it comes to their tactics. These scammers prey on the fears and hopes of others to con them out of their hard earned money.

And, Facebook isn’t the only online medium you’ll need to be concerned about. You’ll also need a plan to get your email, online bank accounts, and other social media accounts in order. Email scams are particularly common in this day and age, so it’s essential that you either close down your account entirely or provide your login information to a loved one upon your passing. 

Taking these steps to get your online affairs in order will help to make you feel more at ease. It will also protect your loved ones and friends once you pass on. Explore the following steps to understand how to memorialize a Facebook account after you or your loved passes on. 

1. Legacy Contact Versus Memorializing a Facebook Account

Selecting a Legacy Contact is an alternative to memorializing a Facebook account. Choosing a Legacy Contact occurs before one’s death whereas memorialization occurs after. Having a Legacy Contact gives you more control of what happens to your Facebook account once you pass away. 

It allows your Legacy Contact to continue accepting friend requests on your memorialized account, update your profile information, and alter your profile picture and cover photo. They will not be able to access your private messages on Facebook, however. 

With your permission, your Legacy Contact can also download your Facebook data. Your Facebook data includes your photos, timeline posts, and profile information. 

Memorializing a Facebook account can occur if you don’t select a Legacy Contact. Your family member will contact Facebook notifying them of your death, and then your account name will be changed to “Remembering” and then your name. 

Memorializing your Facebook account prevents anyone from logging into or altering your Facebook account and settings. This prevents hackers from taking over the account and accessing information.

2. Legacy Contact: Facebook Settings

To select a Legacy Contact, go to your Facebook settings. Select “Security” under these settings and then “Legacy Contact.” You’ll then click “edit” and be prompted to select a Legacy Contact from your Facebook friends list. 

Type in the person’s name and select them from the list by clicking “add”. At this time, you can send the person a private message notifying them of their Legacy Contact status. This is optional, however, so you can also discuss this with them in-person or at a later time. 

Lastly, you’ll need to decide whether you want your Legacy contact to be able to download your Facebook data. Under “Data Archive Permission” select the box if you want them to be able to download your data.

3. Memorialize Account Form and Documentation

If a loved one passed on and did not select a Legacy Contact prior to their death, then you’ll be able to memorialize their account. To do so, you’ll need to fill out this form on Facebook.

You’ll also need to provide Facebook with your loved one’s name and date of death. You’ll also have the option to provide Facebook with proof of death, but this isn’t mandatory.

4. Deleting an Account after Death

The third option to memorialize a Facebook account is to request deletion of the account. To do so, you’ll need to fill out the same form provided above. However, you’re required to also provide proof that you are an immediate family member of the deceased Facebook user.

To do this, you can provide Facebook with a birth certificate, proof of authority, or a death certificate.

Date of death, email address of the deceased, and their full name and Facebook URL are also required. If you have a question or concern, then get Facebook support for individualized help. 

Getting Your Affairs in Order: How to Memorialize a Facebook Account

Thinking about our own mortality can sometimes make us feel sad and fearful. But, it’s a fact of life that we must all face at one time. By knowing how to memorialize a Facebook account, your online social media presence will be safer for all. 

If you choose to designate a Legacy Contact instead of memorializing your Facebook account, then have an in-depth discussion with this person. Let them know about your wishes regarding your Facebook and how you would like to be remembered online. Doing so can provide you with a sense of relief and control knowing that your memory will be honored. 

If you or a loved one is making your final arrangements and getting your affairs in order, then seek out help. Consider speaking with a therapist or a member of the religious community. You should also consider speaking with a lawyer about your will.

There are also many grief support groups to help you cope. Seek out an online group or a group in your community to gain the emotional support you need. These groups can help you to feel understood and not alone during the grieving process. 

Would you like to discuss how to memorialize a Facebook account directly with Facebook support? Check out our blog post to learn how to contact Facebook support chat. 

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manage your facebook friends

Your Social Network: How to Manage Your Facebook Friends

Approximately 1.4 billion people use Facebook every day.

Facebook has revolutionized the social context of who we see as friends. This is because a complete strange is one click away from becoming a friend, and having access to some of your most personal information.

Choosing friends on Facebook has become a challenging task due to the privacy risks that exist. But Facebook still enables you to control how much anyone can see about you.

Most people don’t know these tools, so here’s a guide on how to manage your Facebook friends.

1. Create a Friends’ List

Making a friend list on your Facebook profile will allow controlling the number of friends who have access to certain information you share on your profile.

For instance, if you attended a wedding recently, you can make a list of your relatives on Facebook. And then share the pictures or information with them.

You can create a list by:

  • Go to the main page of your Facebook
  • Scroll to the friend, and click
  • Select the option to make a list
  • Add the names of the friends you want on the list

You can add, and remove friends from the list you have created. The making a list helps you exclude certain people, even members of your family from accessing some of the information you want to post on your timeline.

The friends’ list also enables you to share sensitive information with only a limited number of people. For instance, if a loved one is going through cancer treatment or has recently died, sharing the information with close friends, and family can be facilitated by using the list.

2. How to Unfriend People

The number of friends you have on Facebook can quickly get out of hand. The best way to manage your Facebook friends is to figure out who the ones you are still connected with in some way are, and dropping the ones that are no longer in your life.

You can do this through various methods, such as the birthday updates. This method is particularly effective, Facebook sends you daily updates of the friends who have birthdays. You can either send them birthday wishes or you can simply click on the unfriend button.

Selecting the unfriend option is a safe way to manage your Facebook friends, and they will not be notified once you decide to unfriend them. You should be sure that you want to unfriend someone to prevent the awkwardness of having to resend a friend request to someone you already unfriended.

3. Blocking Friends

If you don’t want to unfriend someone due to various reasons. You can block them, and still get to decide when to check on them from time to time. Blocking a friend will prevent them from sending you any messages, and this is a good way to prevent your stalkers from disturbing you.

You can block someone by visiting their Facebook profile, then clicking on the gear-shaped button. The button will give an option to block the user, and you can proceed by clicking okay. Blocking a friend can be applied when they are harassing you or when they keep sending you multiple friend requests.

You can also report the user to Facebook by indicating how they have harassed. And their accounts will be suspended or disabled.

4. Finding Old Friends

If you are new to Facebook, and you want to reconnect with some of your high school friends. You can manually search for them by typing in their name on the search bar. But if you have forgotten their names, then you should fill out your personal bio with information that you share such as where you attended high school, college or even your area of residence.

Facebook will then generate friend options based on the information you have provided. You can also make the information more specific by providing dates such as when you completed high school. This will help you reconnect with some of your old friends, and even join various groups.

If you have changed your name, but still want some of your friends to find you. Then you can go to account settings and enter three names that are known by your friends.

5. Select What Shows up on Your News-feed

Your news-feed can be filled up with the information you do not really care about. You can manage this by going to the homepage and clicking on the News-feed tab. It is the one with the three dots next close to it.

Click on the three dots and then click on edit preferences. This will allow you to use the tools that can help you determine what shows up on your news-feed. Selecting the preferences can also help you manage your Facebook friends.

This is done by allowing you to unfollow pages, and people that you don’t want on your news-feed without having to unfriend them.

6. Create Rules for Who Makes the Cut

You can come up with certain rules that will help you decide who you accept as a friend. This will help you manage the number of friends you have, and will help you stay closer with the friends you already have.

For instance, you can choose to only accept friend requests from people you know from work, school, or they are related to your family. You can also check the user’s profile if you are not sure you know them.

This will help you decide who you keep as a friend, and will save you the time, and energy used to block or unfriend someone you don’t want as a friend.

At ExpertHelp, we can help you with ways to create rules for your friends.

Manage Your Facebook Friends

Privacy is the most important element in helping you manage your Facebook friends. You can improve the privacy of your account by using a stronger password. You should also talk about privacy with some of your friends, and ask them before tagging them in any photos or posts you share.

You can also use the privacy settings to protect your account, by choosing what people can see on your timeline. If you realize that your account has been hacked, report the incident to Facebook, and open another account.

For more information, visit our page.

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facebook disabled account

Facebook Account Disabled? What Causes It and What to Do Next

Established in February 2004, Facebook is a private company that, since it’s conception, has generated more than 2.38 billion users. That’s a third of the world’s population.

Facebook is a social media and networking company that allows anyone 13 years of age or older, to create an account. Facebook provides a way for friends, family, and strangers alike, to connect and share from almost anywhere in the world. 45% of adults even get some of their news from Facebook.

Facebook is an important part of many lives, which is why the average daily user spends about 41 minutes a day on Facebook. It’s also why having a Facebook disabled account can be such an awful feeling.

But how does it happen? What causes a Facebook account to become disabled? Keep reading to find out how it happens and what to do next if it happens to you.

Did You Violate the Terms and Conditions?

We’re not saying this is the only way, but if you violated Facebook’s terms and conditions, it’s one way to get your account disabled.

Here are some of the common reasons or ways in which a Facebook user may violate those Facebook rules:

  • Caught using a fake profile name
  • Impersonating someone else
  • Posts have been marked as spam and sent to Facebook
  • Harsh or unsuitable behavior
  • Posting inappropriate or harsh comments on Facebook groups and pages
  • Hacking into other people’s accounts
  • Contacting others for the purpose of advertising or promoting in a way that’s not allowed
  • Contacting others for the purpose of harassment

In addition to potentially breaking these terms and conditions that Facebook users must follow, there are other ways that your account may become disabled.

How Else Could It Become Disabled?

If people report to Facebook about your account on multiple occasions, Facebook may decide to disable your account.

It can also happen by accident. Maybe you left your browser open somewhere, or maybe you disabled your account by accident. If this is the case, you should be able to open it back up again.

What Does It Mean If Your Account Is Disabled?

If your account has been disabled temporarily, you’ll receive a message when you attempt to log in that says, “Your Account has been disabled. If you have any questions or concerns, you can visit our FAQ page here.”

For a Facebook disabled account, you’ll receive a message when you attempt to log in that says, “Your account has been permanently disabled.” Below that message, it might list a reason such as for not following the Facebook Community Standards.

If your Facebook account was disabled by yourself, either on purpose or by accident, you’ll be able to open it back up just by logging in the way you used to. If your account was temporarily or permanently disabled by the Facebook team, you’ll have to fill out the “disabled appeal form,” which is available on the website.

If you include a photo of yourself on a government-issued ID, it could increase your chances of being able to reopen that account.

Furthermore, the more you explain the situation, the better. Provide as much information as you can about what happened in the “Additional Info” section. Be as honest and as detailed as you can.

What Happens If You Can’t Get Your Account Back?

Losing access to a long list of friends and contacts, years worth of irreplaceable videos and photos, and all of your shared messages is an awful feeling.

For many Facebook users, there are a lot of Facebook friends who are only accessible through Facebook. Many users don’t have phone numbers or addresses for people that they continue to keep in touch with over the years, and Facebook provides as the only contact they have with those people. Losing all of that can leave someone with a feeling of panic and emptiness.

Losing your photos and videos alone can be an emotional loss. Shared messages are like hand-written letters of the past and, many Facebook users keep their messages around as if it were a box of letters.

Should the worst happen, you might want to reach out to a professional Facebook expert where you can participate in a live chat or talk on the phone in order to get help.

How Long Will It Take After You File an Appeal?

It can take 5-20 days in order to hear back about an appeal that you submitted. If you still haven’t received a response after 30 days, you may then submit another one. But remember, if you temporarily disable your own account, you don’t need to submit an appeal to Facebook. You simply need to log in as you normally would in order to reopen your account.

If your account has been permanently disabled, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to open it back. That being said, it’s very rare that Facebook will disable an account permanently, and if they do so, it’s usually for a good reason.

Should that be the case, start reaching out to friends and family in order to recover as much as you can from your lost account. You can also ask a specialist for help.

A Facebook Disabled Account Is Not the Be-All and End-All

A Facebook disabled account can be a stressful thing to deal with, especially if you don’t know why it happened in the first place. The important thing is not to panic, and to go through the steps to try and figure out what happened and then get your account back up and running.

Get help from the very beginning so that you understand the ins and outs of Facebook. This will give you a head start to make sure that nothing like this happens again. 

Do you need to contact Facebook or file an appeal but need help to do so? You can take the first step here.

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facebook safety

The Ultimate Guide for Staying Safe on Facebook at Any Age

Facebook represents a fun way to stay in touch with friends and family. But it also has a much darker side, one that goes well beyond billions of fake users

The social media channel has been implicated in increasingly dangerous false news outbreaks. Its live streaming capabilities have led to the recording and transmission of disturbing content including murders and suicides. 

And it remains a haunt of hackers, identity thieves, and individuals who prey on the innocent in a wide variety of ways. To put it mildly, Facebook is no longer a harmless digital media. 

Of course, it remains a necessary evil for individuals who’d like to stay in touch with the people that they care about. So, how do you enjoy this pastime securely? No matter your age, read on for the essentials when it comes to Facebook safety.

Security, Facebook, and You

How to stay safe on Facebook? Start with some ground rules that apply to individuals of all ages. 

First and foremost, Facebook’s not for everybody. Especially if you’re less than 13 years old. Facebook strictly prohibits anybody under the age of 13 from registering an account.

And if they catch you lying about your age? They’ll delete your account and all of your pics and info. 

As for your moniker, think twice before using your full legal name on this popular social media channel. It represents an all-too-tempting target for identity thieves and other predators.

Even though Facebook forbids users from taking fake names, there are exceptions such as nicknames. So, consider using a nickname as your first or middle name. Find out more about which name variants Facebook allows

Besides your name, think carefully about the password you’d like to use. Make it complex with a good smattering of letters, numbers, and characters, and never give it out to anybody. 

When accessing your account in a public place, make sure you always log out completely. Otherwise, you risk inadvertently giving others your password, too. 

Don’t Give Out Personal Info

Besides taking extra care with young users and the name that you choose, make sure that you spend some time adjusting your security settings. Yes, you may want to be the belle of the social media ball.

But that doesn’t mean giving criminals personal information that they can use against you. For example, we recommend only allowing individuals that you’ve already accepted as friends or family to see the details of your profile and pictures. 

You should also take extra care when it comes to contact information. Don’t post your telephone number or personal email on Facebook. 

Why? Because your close friends and family should already have this information. And hackers could use it to torment you through SPAM and incessant calling. 

Think Before You Post

You think before you speak, right? Well, this same rule of conduct applies when it comes to Facebook. Think carefully before making any post.

Never post your current location or where you’re going to be in the near future. And avoid posts that mention being home alone or in another vulnerable situation. These messages could make you the target of a criminal or predator. 

You also need to remember that Facebook posting, like every other action in life, comes with consequences. So, don’t publish anything that could offend or anger others.

And avoid controversies or inappropriate content that could reflect badly on you later. Even if you think better of it and erase it down the road, screenshots could mean your offensive, inappropriate post enjoys immortality. 

Facebook remains just about as public as it gets. The content you post can be seen by anybody… including your spouse, boss, teacher, friends, enemies, and more. Get our drift? 

Not All Apps Are Created Equal

When it comes to Facebook, not all threats are related to people alone. You’ve also got to watch out for scams and rogue apps. While the latter might sound like a character from The Matrix, it’s not fiction.

Rogue applications disguise themselves as “good” apps. But, in truth, they don’t measure up. These applications can infiltrate your account leading to SPAM and much worse. 

Not sure whether an app’s okay to use? Before downloading it, do a little research. Check out how Google search weighs in on the app before making any decisions. Or, contact Facebook help email with your suspicions and questions. 

When it comes to Facebook safety, the old cliche holds 100 percent true: better safe than sorry. Don’t rush into downloading anything that could prove questionable. Or, you could be opening yourself up to a world of hurt.

Report Hacking ASAP

What do you do if your account ends up getting hacked? While you might feel a little duped or ashamed by the whole thing, now’s not the time to stay quiet or hesitant. You need to act, and you need to act quickly. 

Start by looking up and calling the Facebook help center number to report the incident. They’ll be able to guide you through the next steps to guarantee your safety and the safety of all of your friends and family members.

If your account gets hacked, your Facebook contacts become more vulnerable to hacking efforts, too. After all, your friends and family are far more likely to open and trust a message that appears to be from you than a random individual. 

A hacker might even try to scam your contacts. So, time is of the essence when it comes to letting Facebook know what’s going on. 

Your Facebook Safety

Taking the steps outlined above will not only safeguard you and your family against criminal activity, but it’ll give you peace of mind. 

Of course, because Facebook represents networks of individuals, you should share these safety tips with your friends and family. That way, everyone will be on the same page when it comes to staying safe online. 

In today’s world, you can’t risk leaving Facebook safety to chance, no matter what your age. Have more questions about staying safe online? Ask a Facebook expert now.  

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