Manage anonymous participation and nicknames in a Facebook group you admin

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If you don’t see the option to allow anonymous participation or nicknames in your group, it could be because one or both features are not available in your group for now.
If some members can’t post, comment or react anonymously or with a nickname, it could be because the feature(s) aren't available to them for now.
If you’re a group admin, you can choose whether or not to allow anonymous participation (including nicknames) if the option is available in your group. People will be able to participate anonymously in the group unless an admin turns off anonymous participation for the group.
You can also choose to require anonymous and nickname posts and post edits to be approved by admins or moderators, even if you don’t have post approval turned on in your group.
Admins and moderators can see who posted, commented or reacted anonymously or with a nickname by going to their post, comment or reaction and tapping on the user’s profile photo (e.g., Anonymous).
Note:
  • If you allow anonymous participation (including nicknames) in your group, that means users can do all of the following: post, comment and react anonymously or with a nickname. You can’t allow anonymous posts but not anonymous comments, or allow anonymous posts but not nickname posts or comments, for example.
  • In larger groups, the nickname feature may be automatically enabled for the group and available to group members; admins can still turn on or off anonymous participation (which includes anonymous posting, commenting, and reacting) in these groups. For larger groups, the anonymous participation setting does not control nicknames; this means that turning off anonymous participation will not disable nicknames in these groups.
    • Nicknames help protect members’ privacy by keeping their main profile name hidden from other members in connection with posts, comments, and reactions made with a nickname. Admins and moderators can still see this information and take action to effectively moderate their group.
    • To see the main profile name associated with a nickname, an admin or moderator can tap the nickname’s profile photo and then, once viewing the member’s group profile, click the tab at the top for the member’s main profile.

Turn anonymous participation on or off

  1. Go to facebook.com/groups and select your group.
  2. In the left menu, click Group settings. You might have to click Manage first.
  3. Below Manage discussion, click Edit next to Anonymous participation.
  4. Select your preferred option (on or off).
  5. Click Save.
Note:
  • In larger groups:
    • Turning off anonymous participation does not disable nicknames.
    • Nicknames remain enabled and cannot be turned off.
  • In all other groups:
    • Turning off anonymous participation will also turn off nicknames.
  • Admins should review the setting’s language to confirm whether it covers both anonymous participation and nicknames, or only anonymous participation.

Require approval of anonymous posts, nickname posts, and post edits

  1. Go to facebook.com/groups and select your group.
  2. In the left menu, click Group settings. You might have to click Manage first.
  3. Below Manage discussion, click Edit next to Post approval.
  4. Select your preferred option.
  5. Click Save.

More information

  • If you remove or ban someone who is participating anonymously or with a nickname in your group, the user’s profile will also be removed or banned from the group.
  • As an admin or moderator, you can also block a nickname user similar to how you can block a profile. If you block a nickname as an admin or moderator, you will still be able to see the nickname’s posts or comments in the group. The blocked nickname will not be able to tag you or interact with your content. In some cases, they may still be able to see your content. The nickname you blocked will not be notified that you blocked them. The blocking only applies to that nickname and doesn’t block the main profile associated with the nickname.
  • Admins can review anonymous posts or nickname posts (if you have post approval turned on or require anonymous or nickname post approval) from the Pending posts queue.
  • If you don’t see the option to allow anonymous participation or nicknames in your group, it could be because anonymous participation or nicknames isn't available in your group for now. If some members can’t post, comment or react anonymously or with a nickname, it could be because the feature(s) aren't available to them or the group for now.
  • If someone participates anonymously or with a nickname, their profile name and photo will still be visible to the group’s admins and moderators, as well as to Facebook's systems, in order to help keep groups safe and in compliance with our Community Standards.
  • Details someone includes in an anonymous or nickname post or comment could inadvertently reveal their identity.
  • In larger groups, the nicknames feature may be automatically enabled and available to members; it is designed to provide members with a way to participate with added privacy. Even if admins turn off anonymous participation in these groups, the nicknames feature will remain enabled.