A practical, everyday guide to using Facebook on desktop and mobile: posting, messaging, groups, pages, Marketplace, and the privacy/security basics that prevent most headaches.

Quick start checklist

  1. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA).
  2. Set your default post audience to Friends (you can change per post).
  3. Review who can send you friend requests and who can look you up.
  4. Learn where Settings & privacy lives in the app.
  5. Know how to block, report, and mute/unfollow.

Facebook basics: what the main areas do

  • Home / Feed: posts from friends, pages, groups, plus recommendations.
  • Profile: your identity and your timeline.
  • Friends: your connections and friend requests.
  • Pages: businesses/organizations/creators you follow.
  • Groups: communities around topics; can be public or private.
  • Messenger: direct messages, calls, group chats, message requests.
  • Marketplace: local buying/selling.
  • Notifications: likes, comments, tags, invites—your activity inbox.
  • Settings & privacy: account security, privacy controls, preferences.

Account setup and security

Create/verify your account

  • Use an email address or phone number you control long-term.
  • Add a name and photo people recognize (helps real friends find you).
  • Verify email/phone if prompted.

Password + 2FA (do this first)

  • Use a long passphrase (12–16+ characters) and don’t reuse it elsewhere.
  • Enable 2FA (authenticator app is best; SMS is better than nothing).
  • Make sure recovery options are current (email/phone).

Spot suspicious activity

Red flags:

  • Unexpected password reset emails
  • Login alerts from places you’ve never been
  • Friends saying they got weird messages “from you”

If you suspect compromise:

  • Change password immediately
  • Log out of other sessions/devices (in security settings)
  • Review recent emails and app permissions

Privacy: set defaults, then spot-check

Facebook’s wording changes over time, but the core questions don’t:

  1. Who can see my stuff?
  2. Who can contact me?
  3. How discoverable am I?

Audience controls (Public vs Friends)

Every post has an audience selector. Common options:

  • Public: anyone can see (including non-friends).
  • Friends: only your friends.
  • Friends except…: exclude specific people.
  • Specific friends: only selected friends.
  • Only me: private.
  • Custom: mix inclusions/exclusions.

Best default for most people: Friends.

Limit who can find you

In Privacy settings, look for controls like:

  • Who can send you friend requests
  • Who can look you up by email/phone
  • Search engine linking to your profile

Review older posts

If you’ve been on Facebook for years, use the option that limits past posts (often converts older “Public” posts to “Friends”). It’s a one-time cleanup that pays off.

Tagging and timeline review

Enable review tools so you approve:

  • Posts you’re tagged in before they appear on your profile
  • Tags people add to your posts/photos

Block, restrict, unfollow, mute

  • Unfollow: stay friends but stop seeing their posts.
  • Mute: hide posts/stories temporarily (often 30 days).
  • Restrict: limits what they see; messages may be filtered (varies).
  • Block: full separation—no profile, tags, or messages.

Rule of thumb: if someone makes you uneasy, block (you don’t owe them access).

Posting: text, photos, video, stories

Create a post

  1. Start from Home or your Profile.
  2. Write text, add media (photo/video), optionally add location.
  3. Choose audience (Public/Friends/Custom).
  4. Post.

Tip: If you accidentally post to Public, you can often change the audience after posting.

Photos and albums

  • Use albums to organize (Trips, Family, Projects).
  • Remember: profile and cover photos may be more visible than regular posts.
  • Avoid posting images that show sensitive details (IDs, mail, keys, license plates).

Stories vs posts

  • Stories: temporary (often ~24 hours).
  • Posts: stay until deleted.

Use stories for quick updates; use posts for things you want searchable later.

Edit or delete a post

  • Open the post → menu (often •••) → Edit or Delete/Move to trash.

Comments, reactions, and etiquette

  • React (Like/Love/etc.) for quick support.
  • Comment when you can add something useful or kind.
  • If a thread turns hostile: don’t escalate. Mute it, or take it to DM, or disengage.
  • Don’t share private info in public comments (phone, address, account numbers).

Friends and following

Handling friend requests

Before accepting:

  • Do you recognize them?
  • Do you have real mutual friends?
  • Does the profile look empty/new/odd?

If you’re not sure: ignore/delete the request.

Unfriend vs unfollow

  • Unfollow reduces feed clutter without drama.
  • Unfriend ends the connection.

Friend lists (optional but powerful)

If you post to different audiences, friend lists help:

  • Family
  • Close friends
  • Work/community

Then use Specific friends / Friends except… when posting.

Messenger: chats, calls, and message requests

Start a chat

  • Open Messenger → search a name → send a message.
  • You can share photos, voice notes, links, and location (use location sparingly).

Message requests (from non-friends)

Non-friends often land in Message requests:

  • Spam/scams: don’t reply → block/report
  • Legit: accept the request and respond

Group chats

Best practices:

  • Name the group and set expectations (topic, tone, urgency).
  • Use reactions instead of flooding the chat.
  • Don’t share someone else’s number/address without permission.

Groups: joining, posting, staying safe

Pick the right group

Check:

  • Public vs private
  • Rules and moderation
  • Recent activity (is it alive?)
  • Spam level (scroll the last week)

Post in a group

  • Read pinned posts and rules first.
  • Provide context: location, budget, what you tried, what you need.
  • If asking for help: include photos and clear questions.

Safety for local groups

Avoid posting:

  • Your home address
  • Your daily schedule
  • Sensitive documents/photos (IDs, bills, prescriptions)

Pages: businesses and creators

  • Follow a page to see updates.
  • If you don’t want to miss it, use Favorites/See first (if available).
  • If a page turns spammy: unfollow, hide, or report.

Marketplace: buy and sell safely

Buying tips

  • Prefer in-person pickup in a public place.
  • Check item condition carefully; ask for more photos.
  • Avoid “too good to be true” prices and weird payment demands.

Selling tips

  • Meet in public; consider “safe exchange zones” near police stations.
  • Don’t share personal info beyond what’s needed.
  • Use clear photos and an honest description.
  • If a buyer pressures you to ship or pay outside Marketplace: walk away.

Troubleshooting common issues

“Why am I seeing weird stuff in my feed?”

  • You may be following pages/groups you forgot about.
  • Use Unfollow, Snooze, or Hide on unwanted content.
  • Review your Favorites and Following lists.

“People I don’t know are messaging me”

  • Check message request settings.
  • Restrict who can contact you where possible.
  • Block/report repeat offenders.

“I posted something wrong—what now?”

  • Edit the post or delete it.
  • If it’s sensitive, also check if it was shared or screenshotted (assume it might have been).

Healthy habits

  • Turn off non-essential notifications.
  • Don’t argue with strangers; protect your energy.
  • Treat “viral” posts skeptically—verify before sharing.
  • Re-check privacy settings a couple times a year.

Glossary

  • Audience: who can see a post.
  • Feed: your scrolling timeline of posts.
  • Page: public presence for an org/creator.
  • Group: community space; may be private.
  • Message request: DM from non-friend.
  • 2FA: a second login step (best defense against account takeovers).

Sources

Official help resources (recommended starting points):

Meta Help Center (Facebook)
Meta Help Center (Messenger)
Facebook Privacy Basics