Facebook has become the center of many private conversations and community discussions. It’s where people connect, share ideas and seek support on topics they might not feel comfortable discussing openly. For many users, the ability to comment anonymously on
Facebook groups provides a crucial layer of privacy when engaging with sensitive content. Facebook’s anonymous posting feature is designed for that kind of protection.
Since 2020, Facebook has allowed users to post and comment anonymously in groups, initially rolling this feature out for parenting groups where privacy concerns are particularly important. With over 2.8 billion active users on the platform, this feature helps address growing worries about online harassment and unwanted attention.
If you’re looking to maintain privacy in Facebook groups, there are a few key things you need to know. You can only comment anonymously on your own anonymous posts, and the group administrator must have enabled this feature. While other group members won’t see your identity, it’s worth noting that group admins and moderators can still see who you are behind those anonymous contributions.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to use Facebook’s anonymous posting feature, whether you’re on desktop or mobile. I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process so you can participate in group discussions without revealing your identity to everyone.
How to comment anonymously on Facebook groups
Facebook’s anonymous commenting isn’t quite what most people expect. There are specific rules and limitations you need to understand before trying to hide your identity in group discussions.
Anonymous comments only work on your own anonymous posts
The most important thing to know is that you can’t just comment anonymously on any post you see in a Facebook group. Anonymous commenting is strictly limited to posts that you yourself have created anonymously. This means you won’t be able to hide your identity when commenting on regular posts or content from other members.
When you create an anonymous post and then comment on it, your comments will automatically maintain your anonymity. You must first create an anonymous post before you can comment anonymously – this is a fundamental restriction in how Facebook’s privacy feature works.
Admins and Facebook can still see your identity
While your posts may appear anonymous to regular group members, your identity isn’t completely hidden from everyone.
Your name and profile picture remain visible to:
- Group administrators and moderators who can see who posted or commented anonymously
- Facebook’s systems, which monitor content for Community Standards compliance
This partial anonymity exists primarily to help maintain group safety and prevent abuse. Group admins also have the power to approve anonymous posts before they appear, giving them control over content while still respecting members’ privacy needs.
Group must have anonymous posting enabled
Not all Facebook groups support anonymous posting and commenting. For this feature to work:
- The group administrator must have enabled anonymous participation
- The feature must be available to both the group and to you as a user
- You must be an existing member of the group
Many administrators enable this feature by default, especially in groups discussing sensitive topics where members might hesitate to share using their real identities. If you can’t find the anonymous posting option, it likely means the group admin has disabled it.
The anonymous posting feature came about when Facebook recognized users’ need to discuss sensitive topics without exposing personal information. Though limited in scope, it provides a valuable middle ground between complete transparency and total anonymity in group discussions.
Step-by-step: Comment anonymously on desktop
If you want to comment anonymously in Facebook groups using your desktop, you’ll need to follow a specific process. Remember that you can only make anonymous comments on posts that you yourself have created anonymously first.
Here’s how to comment anonymously on Facebook groups using your computer:
1. Go to the Facebook group
Start by visiting Facebook through your desktop browser. Once logged in, find the “Groups” option in the left sidebar of your Facebook homepage. This menu gives you access to all the Facebook groups you’ve joined. Select the specific group where you previously made an anonymous post.
Keep in mind this method only works in groups where administrators have enabled anonymous participation.
2. Find your anonymous post
After entering the group, locate the anonymous post you created earlier. You can either:
- Scroll through the group’s feed until you find your post
- Use the search function in the group’s toolbar to locate it more quickly
Your anonymous post will appear with “Anonymous member” (in private groups) or “Anonymous participant” (in public groups) instead of your name.
3. Click ‘Comment’ and type your message
Once you’ve found your anonymous post, look for the “Comment” option beneath the post or the area that says “Write a comment…” Click on this space to activate the comment box.
You can now type your comment just as you would on any regular Facebook post. The system automatically knows you’re commenting on your own anonymous post.
4. Your comment will appear anonymously
After typing your comment, press Enter or click the send button to publish it. Your comment will automatically appear as anonymous since it’s under your own anonymous post.
Other group members will only see “Anonymous member” or “Anonymous participant” next to your comment. Any reactions or further comments you make within this same thread will maintain your anonymity throughout the conversation.
Remember that although other group members cannot see who you are, group administrators, moderators, and Facebook systems still have access to your real name and profile information.
Step-by-step: Comment anonymously on mobile
The Facebook mobile app makes it easy to maintain your privacy in group discussions. Just a few taps, and you’ll be commenting anonymously without revealing your identity to other members. Here’s how to comment anonymously using your phone.
1. Open the Facebook app
Make sure you’re using the official Facebook app on your mobile device – not Facebook Lite, as the anonymous feature isn’t available there. Open the app and log into your account. The mobile interface has everything you need to comment anonymously on your posts in groups that support this feature.
2. Navigate to the group
Tap on the hamburger menu (☰) icon at the bottom or top of your screen, depending on your device. From the menu that appears, select Groups to see all the Facebook groups you’re part of. Find and tap on the specific group where you previously created an anonymous post.
3. Locate your anonymous post
Once you’re in the group, scroll through the feed until you find your anonymous post. If the group is particularly active, you can use the search function to find your post more quickly. Remember, just as with desktop, you can only comment anonymously under posts that you yourself have created anonymously.
4. Tap ‘Comment’ and write your reply
Under your anonymous post, tap the Comment option. Before you start typing, look for your profile picture next to the “Write a comment…” field. Tap your profile picture to see a dropdown menu. From this menu, select anonymous member (for private groups) or anonymous participant (for public groups). Then type your comment and send it – your comment will automatically appear with your anonymous identity.
Just like on desktop, group administrators and Facebook systems can still see who you are behind those anonymous comments, even though other members cannot identify you.
How to create an anonymous post (required first step)
Before you can comment anonymously in Facebook groups, you need to create an anonymous post first. This crucial initial step is something many users miss when trying to maintain privacy in group discussions.
Creating an anonymous post is straightforward, but you need to follow specific steps to make it work properly. Here’s how to create your first anonymous post on Facebook.
Step 1: Find the anonymous posting option
Go to the Facebook group where you want to post anonymously. Look for the “Write something” or “Create Post” area where you normally start a new post. Beneath this section, you should see an “Anonymous Post” option available for selection.
If you don’t see this option, it likely means the group admin hasn’t enabled anonymous posting for the group. Some groups, especially those discussing sensitive topics, have this feature enabled by default.
Step 2: Enable anonymous posting
After clicking on the anonymous post option, a new post creation window will open. At the top of this window, you’ll see a toggle switch next to “Post Anonymously.” Turn this switch on.
A prompt will appear explaining how anonymous posts work. Click “Got it” or “I want to post anonymously” to confirm your choice. Some groups also let you customize a nickname that will appear instead of “Anonymous Member,” though this isn’t available in all groups.
Step 3: Create your post content
Write your post content just as you would with a regular post. You can include text, photos, or other media elements in your anonymous post.
Be careful when writing your anonymous post – you cannot edit it after submission. Double-check your content before posting to make sure it says exactly what you want.
Step 4: Submit and wait for approval
Once you’re satisfied with your content, click the “Submit” or “Post” button to send it for review.
Your anonymous post will be sent to group administrators for approval. Many groups require this review process specifically for anonymous content to prevent misuse. Once approved, your post will appear in the group with “Anonymous Member” (in private groups) or “Anonymous Participant” (in public groups) shown instead of your name.
Remember that while your identity is hidden from other group members, the group administrators and moderators can still see who you are behind the anonymous post. This partial anonymity helps maintain accountability while still giving you privacy from the general membership.
Build stronger privacy in Facebook groups with anonymous commenting
Facebook’s anonymous commenting feature gives you a way to participate in discussions about sensitive topics without everyone knowing who you are. As we’ve seen throughout this guide, while the feature exists, it comes with important limitations you need to understand.
The most important thing to remember is that you can only comment anonymously on posts that you yourself have created anonymously first. This built-in restriction shapes how you’ll use this privacy feature in your Facebook groups.
The process is straightforward once you know the right steps to follow. Whether you’re on desktop or mobile, creating an anonymous post is your first essential move before you can comment without revealing your identity to the general group membership.
It’s worth remembering that group administrators must enable this feature for their community. While you appear anonymous to regular members, group admins and moderators can still see who you are behind those anonymous contributions. This partial anonymity serves an important purpose – providing privacy while maintaining some accountability within the group.
Before you try using anonymous commenting, double-check two things: first, make sure you’ve created an anonymous post as your starting point, and second, confirm that the group administrators have enabled anonymous participation in that community.
What Facebook offers here is essentially a middle ground between complete transparency and total anonymity. While it won’t hide your identity from those managing the group, it does shield you from other members. This creates a safer space for discussing sensitive matters without worrying about judgment from the broader community.
Now that you know all there is to know about anonymous commenting on Facebook groups, you can participate more confidently in discussions where privacy matters to you.
FAQs
Q1. Can I comment anonymously on any post in a Facebook group?
No, you can only comment anonymously on your own anonymous posts. This feature is limited to groups where administrators have enabled anonymous posting.
Q2. Will group administrators be able to see my identity if I post or comment anonymously?
Yes, group administrators and moderators can still see your real identity behind anonymous posts and comments, even though other members cannot.
Q3. How do I create an anonymous post on Facebook?
To create an anonymous post, select the “Anonymous Post” option when creating a new post in a group, toggle on “Post anonymously,” write your content, and submit it for admin approval.
Q4. Can I edit my anonymous post after submitting it?
No, you cannot edit an anonymous post after submission. It’s important to double-check your content before posting.
Q5. Is the anonymous posting feature available on all Facebook groups?
No, the anonymous posting feature must be enabled by group administrators. If you don’t see the option to post anonymously, it likely means the feature is not available for that particular group.