Restricting someone on Facebook allows you to control what content they see from you without unfriending or blocking them. When you add someone to your Restricted list, they will only see your public posts or posts you've tagged them in. They will not see content you share with your "Friends" audience.
What Does "Restricted" Mean on Facebook?
The "Restricted" list is a privacy setting designed for situations where you want to maintain a friendship on Facebook but limit the personal content a specific person can view. Essentially, anyone on your Restricted list will only be able to see content you've set to "Public" or posts where you've explicitly tagged them. All other posts, photos, and updates shared with your "Friends" audience will remain private from them.
This feature is particularly useful if you have colleagues, distant relatives, or acquaintances as Facebook friends with whom you don't wish to share your entire personal life.
How to Restrict Someone on Facebook
You can restrict a friend on Facebook using either a computer or a mobile device.
On a Computer
There are two primary ways to restrict someone using a computer:
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From their Profile:
- Go to the profile of the friend you wish to restrict.
- On their profile, hover over the Friends button. A dropdown menu will appear.
- Select Edit Friend List.
- From the options, click Restricted. A checkmark will appear next to it, indicating they have been added to the list.
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Using the Custom Lists Menu:
- Log into Facebook on your computer.
- From your News Feed, navigate to the left menu.
- Click Friends. If you don't see it immediately, click See More to expand the options.
- Click Custom Lists.
- Then, click Restricted. This will open your Restricted list. From here, you can search for and add people to the list by clicking "Add Friends" or manage existing members.
On a Mobile Device (Facebook App)
- Open the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Go to the profile of the friend you want to restrict.
- Tap the Friends button (it usually looks like a silhouette of two people with a checkmark).
- A menu will appear. Tap Edit Friend List.
- Select Restricted from the list of options. A checkmark will appear next to it.
Once someone is on the Restricted list, they will not receive a notification that you've restricted them.
How to Unrestrict Someone on Facebook
If you wish to remove someone from your Restricted list, the process is straightforward:
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From their Profile:
- Go to the profile of the friend you want to unrestrict.
- Hover over or tap the Friends button (on a computer) or tap it (on mobile).
- Select Edit Friend List.
- Deselect Restricted. The checkmark will disappear, and they will be removed from the list.
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Using the Custom Lists Menu (Computer Only):
- Log into Facebook on your computer.
- From your News Feed, click Friends in the left menu (or See More then Friends).
- Click Custom Lists, then click Restricted.
- Locate the person you wish to unrestrict on the list.
- Click the X icon next to their name or click on their profile picture and then deselect "Restricted" from their friend status.
Restricting vs. Blocking vs. Unfriending
It's important to understand the differences between these three common Facebook actions:
| Feature | Restrict | Unfriend | Block |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friendship Status | Still friends | No longer friends | No longer friends |
| Visibility | Sees only Public posts or tagged posts | Sees only Public posts (if any) | Cannot see anything (profile, posts, etc.) |
| Notifications | No notification to the other person | No notification to the other person | No notification, but they can't find you |
| Contact | Can still send messages and see public profile | Can still send messages and see public profile if available | Cannot send messages, cannot find you |
| Mutual Friends | Can see mutual friends' posts | Can see mutual friends' posts | Cannot see mutual friends' posts |
| Purpose | Limit content view without cutting ties | Remove from friend list | Complete disengagement |
Tips for Managing Your Audience
- Review your privacy settings regularly: Ensure your default audience for posts aligns with your comfort level (e.g., "Friends," "Public," "Friends Except...").
- Utilize Custom Friend Lists: Beyond "Restricted," you can create other lists (e.g., "Family," "Acquaintances") to share specific content with specific groups.
- Check Post Audience: Before posting, always check the audience selector (usually a dropdown next to the "Post" button) to confirm who will see your content.
- Consider your audience for photos and albums: Photos often contain sensitive personal information; be mindful of who can view them.
By using the Restricted feature, you can maintain control over your privacy while navigating your social connections on Facebook more effectively.
