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. Nowadays the Facebook Wall is referred to as a Timeline but still serves the same purpose.
When I write here on Facebook, who sees it?
| Place | Intended Recipient | Other readers |
| My Wall (Timeline), as a Status Update | Myself | My Facebook Friends |
| My Facebook Friend’s Wall (Timeline) | 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 (Timeline) of a Group I am a member of | All Facebook users who are members of that Group | My Facebook Friends |
| The Wall (Timeline) 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 (Timeline) | 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 Facebook Inbox |
| Facebook Chat (if they are online) | ||
| Message to correspondent which isn’t intended to be confidential | Correspondent’s Wall (Timeline) | Appears on my Wall and my Correspondent’s wall |
| General comment or broadcast message | My Wall (Timeline) | 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 (Timeline) or the “Just Fans” part of a Page |
Free PDF file of this information sheet available here to print or copy to your smartphone, tablet or e-reader.
Printing hints: Print each page on separate sheets for attaching to a wall or noticeboard near the computer, or print using your printer’s automatic duplex function for use as a page to keep in a loose-leaf reference folder.
