Fb Teams are getting extra Reddit-like with newly added help for nicknames. The function, which permits customers to publish below a customized username as an alternative of their actual title, gives a substitute for posting anonymously. With nameless posting, customers can share with out the publish being linked to their Fb profile and real-life id, however this method additionally doesn’t enable different group members to get to know them or their character, or to observe their updates over time.
Meta says that nicknames will enable folks to take part in teams extra personally whereas sustaining privateness, notably in teams the place customers need privateness however nonetheless wish to construct a recognizable presence. It additionally may make Fb Teams perform extra like different web boards and message boards — like Reddit or Discord, as an example — the place folks publish below usernames. This marks a deviation from Fb’s long-standing “real name” policy, which has insisted that folks present up on the platform with the title they use in on a regular basis life.
That coverage labored when Fb was largely a social community constructed on high of real-world relationships with household and associates, however the addition of Fb Teams expanded customers’ circles of interactions to incorporate on-line strangers, which necessitated extra privateness protections.
After customers in a bunch set their nickname, they will then publish, remark, and react below that nickname inside teams that help the function. This permits customers to cover their most important profile and profile picture from different members however not from group admins, moderators, or Fb’s personal methods.
Nonetheless, others within the group will have the ability to view a person’s full publish historical past below their nickname in that group, in addition to the feedback and reactions made within the group during the last seven days.
Fb will recommend nicknames to customers, however customers can change this nickname to certainly one of their selecting. The title has to adjust to Fb’s Community Standards and might’t already be utilized by one other group member. The corporate will even recommend a profile image for the nickname, although customers can choose their very own from these obtainable, together with deciding on a coloured background.
To entry the function, customers will discover the choice subsequent to “Submit anonymously” when making a publish after which select the choice to customise a nickname. The choice to make use of the nickname could be turned off at any time, permitting customers to publish below their actual title once more.
Techcrunch occasion
San Francisco
|
October 13-15, 2026
Whereas customers can change their nickname, they will solely achieve this as soon as each two days. Moreover, altering a nickname doesn’t enable customers to distance themselves from previous posts and feedback. As a substitute, when modified, their new nickname will probably be utilized to their previous posts, feedback, and reactions, although this may occasionally take time to seem throughout gadgets and teams. If customers have completely different nicknames in numerous teams, the title change will solely impression the posts, feedback, and reactions within the group tied to that particular nickname.
The corporate says customers with nicknames can’t use some options like Reside Video, content material sharing, or non-public messaging. Customers can block others by nickname, as effectively.
The function is obtainable globally however requires group admin approval to allow in every group.
