Restricting someone on Facebook can help you manage your social interactions without completely blocking someone. By restricting a user, you limit their access to your posts and activities, making it a useful tool for maintaining privacy. The process is straightforward and can be completed in just a few steps.
How to Restrict Someone on Facebook
Following these steps will restrict someone’s access to your Facebook profile without notifying them. This way, you keep them in your friends list but limit what they can see.
Step 1: Open Facebook
Log in to your Facebook account using your email/phone number and password.
Once logged in, you’ll be on your News Feed page. If you aren’t automatically directed there, you can click on the Facebook logo in the top left corner.
Step 2: Go to the Profile of the Person
Search for the person you want to restrict by typing their name into the search bar at the top of the screen.
Select their profile from the search results. This will take you to their profile page where you can see their posts and information.
Step 3: Click the Friends Button
On their profile, find the “Friends” button located below their cover photo.
Clicking it will open a dropdown menu with several options for managing your friendship.
Step 4: Select “Edit Friend List”
From the dropdown menu, choose “Edit Friend List.”
This option allows you to categorize and manage how you interact with this person on Facebook.
Step 5: Choose the “Restricted” Option
In the “Edit Friend List” menu, scroll down and select “Restricted.”
This will add the person to your restricted list, meaning they will only see posts you share publicly or posts you tag them in.
Once you’ve completed these steps, the person will only see your public posts. They won’t be notified that you’ve restricted them, so your relationship will appear unchanged from their perspective.
Tips for Restricting Someone on Facebook
- Check Privacy Settings: Regularly review your privacy settings to ensure that your posts are visible to the intended audience.
- Use Custom Lists: Create custom friend lists to manage your interactions more precisely.
- Test Visibility: You can use the “View As” tool on your profile to see how your page looks to the restricted person.
- Update Regularly: Update your friend lists periodically to ensure they reflect your current preferences.
- Communicate Directly: If you want to address specific issues with someone, consider having a direct conversation instead of just restricting them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know if I restrict them?
No, Facebook does not notify users when they are restricted.
Can restricted friends see my past posts?
Restricted friends can only see your public posts and posts you tag them in, both past and future.
Can I still message restricted friends?
Yes, restricting someone does not affect your ability to message them.
How do I remove someone from the restricted list?
Go back to their profile, click on the “Friends” button, select “Edit Friend List,” and uncheck “Restricted.”
Does restricting someone affect mutual friends?
No, restricting someone only affects what that specific person can see on your profile.
Summary
- Open Facebook.
- Go to the profile of the person.
- Click the Friends button.
- Select “Edit Friend List.”
- Choose the “Restricted” option.
Conclusion
Restricting someone on Facebook is a savvy way to maintain control over your social media interactions. Without the drama of unfriending or blocking, you can still manage what selected individuals see on your profile. This feature is particularly handy for managing acquaintances, coworkers, or even relatives with whom you want to maintain a cordial relationship but prefer to keep certain aspects of your life private.
If you found this guide helpful, you might also consider exploring Facebook’s other privacy tools. They offer various ways to customize your social media experience to fit your needs. Remember, social media should be a space where you feel comfortable and in control. So, take advantage of these tools to create the online environment that works best for you.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.