Search
Facebook.com on mobile browsers is in the process of being updated. See more
Facebook.com on mobile browsers is in the process of being updated. We’ll be adding updated instructions to the Help Center for features that are available on mobile browsers. Check back over the coming months. See less
How Search Works
How do I search for something on Facebook?
How do I search for something on Facebook?
Search for something
1.
Tap 
at the top of Facebook and enter what you're looking for in the search bar.
at the top of Facebook and enter what you're looking for in the search bar.2.
Choose from the predictions that appear or tap See more results for [keyword] to filter results by different topics.
3.
Tap People, Pages, Events or Groups to see results for that topic.
Use keywords in search
When you start searching with keywords (example: Caroline wedding or cookie recipe Lisa) you'll see results that you can filter.
You can also select one of the predicted searches to see a full list of search options for that prediction.
What can I search for on Facebook?
What can I search for on Facebook?
Facebook search results are based on your Facebook activity. Facebook search results aren't influenced by activity off Facebook.
You can search for people, posts, photos, videos, places, Pages, groups, apps, links, events and more on Facebook. Start searching with keywords (example: Caroline wedding) and you'll see a list of results that you can filter. If you need some ideas, you can try some of these searches:
John Smith Chicago pizza
Cookie recipe Lisa
Hawaii hotel
You can also combine phrases together, or add things like locations, times, likes and interests to get more specific (example: friends who live in San Francisco).
Keep in mind that Facebook search results are ranked based on a combination of your activity on Facebook and that of the Facebook community in general. What appears in search results is content that was posted directly on Facebook.
What shows up in Facebook search results?
What shows up in Facebook search results?
You can search for people, posts, photos, videos, places, Pages, groups, apps, links, events and more on Facebook. Facebook search results are based on your Facebook activity. Facebook search results aren't influenced by activity off Facebook.
Your unique Facebook search results are based on Facebook activity such as:
What you're able to see on Facebook, including what your friends share with you.
Posts from your friends.
Places where you've been tagged or places similar to those places.
Things you like (example: Pages you follow or interests indicated on your profile).
Groups you've joined.
Events you've liked or are interested in.
Previous searches you've done.
Content you've interacted with in News Feed.
Your Facebook search results are also based on Facebook community activity including:
Popularity of content for a particular search term.
How recently something was posted.
You may see results from people you're not friends with because you're in the audience for the post. Keep in mind that public posts can be seen by anyone, including people outside of Facebook.
Play Video
Does my search history appear when I enter something into the Facebook search bar?
Does my search history appear when I enter something into the Facebook search bar?
No, the list that appears when you enter something in the search bar isn't your search history. It's a list of relevant predicted results for your search query based on popular searches on Facebook, commonly known as search predictions.
However, if you click on the search bar without typing anything, you'll see a list of your past search results. You can view all your past search queries in your activity log. You can also clear your recent searches.
How search works for minors on Facebook
How search works for minors on Facebook
Like adults, minors may appear in search results. We protect sensitive information, like their contact info, school and birthday, from appearing in search to a public audience.
How do search predictions work on Facebook?
How do search predictions work on Facebook?
This feature isn't available on mobile browsers, but it is available on these devices. Select a device to learn more about this feature.
Your Search Settings
Who can search for me on Facebook?
Who can search for me on Facebook?
Facebook takes privacy concerns seriously, including when it comes to search results.
Everyone, except people you've blocked, can search for you by name and click on your profile, but what they can see about you in search results depends on what's shared with them.
Search results respect your privacy settings, whether it's info you’ve shared or posts with tags of you that others have shared. You can adjust what others can see on your profile, and who can see the things you share.
Keep in mind that posts and photos you've hidden on your timeline are still visible to the audience they're shared with in other places on Facebook, like Feed and search. Learn more about how you can control what people will see on your profile and timeline.
How do I see what others can search about me on Facebook?
How do I see what others can search about me on Facebook?
Facebook search respects privacy settings, which means people can search for info about you that they can see on Facebook, based on what's been shared with them.
Content that isn't shared publicly is searchable only if you're directly connected to that content. For example, if someone you're not friends with posts and shares to friends only, then you won't see their post in your Facebook search results. Learn more about clearing your Facebook search history.
To manage what others may see about you:
Use the audience selector to choose who can see things you share.
Go to the About section on your profile to view and manage basic info about yourself.
Keep in mind that your privacy choices determine what your friends see when they search. For example, any posts that you've shared with your friends can only be found by them.
Learn more about managing your privacy in the Privacy Center.
Clear your recent Facebook searches
Clear your recent Facebook searches
To clear your recent searches in Accounts Center:
1.
Tap 
in the top right of Facebook.
in the top right of Facebook.2.
Tap 
Settings and privacy, then tap Settings.
Settings and privacy, then tap Settings.3.
Tap See more in Accounts Center, then tap Your information and permissions.
4.
5.
Tap on the account for which you'd like to clear recent searches.
6.
Tap 
next to a recent search to remove it from your search history.
next to a recent search to remove it from your search history.Note: Not everyone will be able to access this setting in Accounts Center at this time.
When you search for something on Facebook, your search history helps us show you better results when you search. Remember, only you can see your searches.
To clear your recent searches:
Classic mobile browser experience
Classic mobile browser experience
1.
Tap 
Search at the top of your Feed to see your recent searches.
Search at the top of your Feed to see your recent searches.2.
Tap Edit in the top right.
3.
Tap Clear Searches, then tap Confirm to clear all your searches.
Updated mobile browser experience
Updated mobile browser experience
1.
Tap 
in the top right to see your recent searches.
in the top right to see your recent searches.2.
Tap See All in the top right.
3.
Tap Clear Searches, then tap Yes to clear all your searches.
Can other people search for and view things that I post or share on Facebook?
Can other people search for and view things that I post or share on Facebook?
The people you choose to share things with (example: status updates, photos, likes) may see these things in search results.
For example, things you post publicly may show up in search results for anyone, things you share with friends may show up in search results for your friends and so on. Keep in mind that if you share your phone number or email in a post, people may be able to search for your post using your email or phone number.
Use the audience selector to choose who can see things you post. To see and review posts you’ve hidden from your timeline, go to your activity log.
Who can see my photos and photos I’m tagged in on Facebook?
Who can see my photos and photos I’m tagged in on Facebook?
Your photos and the photos you're tagged in are visible to:
The audience they're shared with.
The people tagged in the photo.
Friends that the people tagged choose to add to the audience.
To adjust who can see photos you've uploaded, change the audience or remove them. If you've been tagged in a photo you don't like, you can remove the tag or ask the person to take it down.
Keep in mind, photos and posts hidden from your timeline are still visible to these people other places on Facebook, such as in Feed and search. To see and review posts you've hidden from your timeline, go to your activity log.
Troubleshooting
I can't find someone using Facebook search.
I can't find someone using Facebook search.
If you can't find someone using Facebook search, it may be because:
Your search isn't specific enough. For example, there could be hundreds of people named “Jane Doe” on Facebook. Try searching for their name and location to be more specific.
You've blocked them.
The person you're looking for may have limited their privacy settings or blocked you. Sometimes people forget that they've limited their settings. If you still can't find one of your friends, ask them to look at their privacy settings.
If someone can't find you using facebook search, it may be because:
You've blocked someone. If you block someone, they won't be able to find you in search. If you want that person to be able to find you, you can unblock them.
If you still can't find someone by searching for them, let us know.
