I have been approached by Facebook newbies (novices) about messages that they write or read as part of their Facebook sessions and have thought about publishing this “at-a-glance” guide about who sees what you write. Feel free to print this off and pin it near your computer or keep the permalink as a ready URL on your browser’s Favourites / Bookmarks or intranet page.
When I write here on Facebook, who sees it?
| Place | Intended Recipient | Other readers |
| My Wall, as a Status Update | Myself | My Facebook Friends |
| My Facebook Friend’s Wall | My Facebook Friend | My Facebook Friends, The correspondent’s Facebook Friends |
| “Send <Facebook Friend’> a message” | The Facebook Friend who is receiving the message | No-one |
| A conversation with my Facebook Friend in Facebook Chat | The Facebook Friend at the other end of the chat | |
| The Wall of a Group I am a member of | All Facebook users who are members of that Group | My Facebook Friends |
| The Wall of a Page I am a Fan of – Just Fans | Facebook users who visit the “Just Fans” tab of the Page | |
| Comments that you leave about a Post on the Wall | Facebook Friends who can see the Post | Your Facebook Friends – reference to comment, details if they click through |
Where should I write this in Facebook?
| Object of Conversation | Where to write | Notes |
| Direct private message to correspondent | “Send Correspondent A Message” | Arrives in correspondent’s Inbox |
| Facebook Chat (if they are online) | ||
| Message to correspondent which isn’t intended to be confidential | Correspondent’s Wall | Appears on my Wall and my Correspondent’s wall |
| General comment or broadcast message | My Wall | Think carefully before you write. You may intend it for your Facebook Friends but the wrong comment may be perceived by a Facebook newbie (novice) as embarrassing in front of their Friends. |
| Comment in response to a Status Update, Photo, Link or whatever you see on Facebook | Comments option for the Status Update, etc | Think carefully before you leave that comment. As above, it may be intended to the author of the comment, posted photo, etc but the wrong comment may be perceived as embarrassing or hurtful. |
| Message for a Group or Fans of a Page | The Group’s Wall or the “Just Fans” part of a Page |