Where to find the anonymous posting setting
To turn off anonymous posting in a Facebook group you manage, go to the group's settings, select Moderation, then find the Anonymous posts toggle and switch it off. The setting appears only if you are a group admin or moderator with permission to change group rules.
If you do not see this option, check that you have admin rights. Group creators always have access, but moderators may not — the group creator controls which moderators can change posting rules.
Once you turn off anonymous posting, members will no longer see the option to post without their name attached. Any posts already made anonymously will remain anonymous unless you delete them.
Key Takeaways
- The anonymous posts toggle is in Group Settings > Moderation, and only admins or permitted moderators can change it.
- Turning off the setting prevents new anonymous posts but does not remove posts that were already made anonymously.
- Members will still be able to comment anonymously on posts even if you turn off anonymous posting itself.
- Some groups use anonymous posting to encourage people to share sensitive topics; turning it off may reduce participation in those discussions.
Why a group admin might turn off anonymous posting
Anonymous posting can make moderation harder because you cannot see who wrote a post until after someone reports it. If a member posts something that breaks group rules, you have to remove the post without knowing whether the same person is repeatedly violating rules or whether it was a one-time problem.
Turning off anonymous posting also reduces posts that are meant to harass, spam, or test whether the group will tolerate rule-breaking. Members who know their name is attached are more likely to think twice before posting something that could damage their reputation in the group.
Some groups turn off anonymous posting because the group's purpose does not require it — for example, a group for people who work at the same company, or a neighborhood group where people want to know who they are talking to.
When you might want to keep anonymous posting on
Groups focused on sensitive topics — mental health, recovery, abuse, medical conditions, or financial hardship — often keep anonymous posting on because members feel safer sharing without their name visible. Turning off the setting can cause people to stop participating in discussions where they need support.
If your group's main purpose is to let people ask questions without judgment or share experiences they would not want connected to their name, anonymous posting serves that goal. Removing it changes the group's culture and may reduce the kind of posts that made the group useful in the first place.
Before you turn off anonymous posting, consider whether the rule-breaking you are trying to prevent is actually a problem, or whether you are reacting to one or two posts. If the group is working well and members are following the rules, the setting may not need to change.
What members can still do anonymously
Even if you turn off anonymous posts, members can still comment anonymously on other people's posts. The anonymous posting setting controls only whether someone can create a new post without their name — it does not affect comments.
If anonymous comments are also a problem in your group, you have a separate setting for that. Go to Group Settings > Moderation and look for Anonymous comments. You can turn that off independently of anonymous posts.
How to delete existing anonymous posts
Anonymous posts that were made before you turned off the setting will stay in the group unless you remove them. You can delete them one at a time by clicking the three dots on the post and selecting Delete.
If there are many anonymous posts and you want to clean them up, there is no bulk delete option — you will need to remove them individually. Some group admins use this as a reason to turn off anonymous posting: once the setting is off, no new anonymous posts will appear, and the old ones will eventually disappear as the group moves forward.
Communicating the change to your members
If you have been allowing anonymous posts and decide to turn off the setting, consider posting an announcement explaining why. Members may notice the option is gone and wonder what happened, or they may feel the group has become less welcoming if they were using anonymous posting for a reason.
A straightforward post like "We are turning off anonymous posting to help us build a stronger community where people stand behind what they say" gives members context. If the change is because of specific rule-breaking, you do not need to call anyone out — just explain the new direction.
If your group has a pinned post about group rules, update it to mention that anonymous posting is no longer available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off anonymous posts but keep anonymous comments?
Yes. The settings are separate. You can turn off anonymous posts in the Moderation section while leaving anonymous comments on. This lets people comment without their name but requires them to post as themselves.
Will members know I turned off anonymous posting?
Members will notice the option is no longer there when they try to create a post, but Facebook does not send a notification about the change. If you want them to know, post an announcement in the group explaining the decision.
Can I turn anonymous posting back on later?
Yes. Go back to Group Settings > Moderation > Anonymous posts and toggle it back on whenever you want. Posts made before you turned it off will still be anonymous, and members can post anonymously again.
What if a moderator is posting anonymously to break rules?
Turning off anonymous posting will stop new anonymous posts from anyone, including moderators. If you suspect a moderator is misusing the feature, you can remove their moderator status or delete their posts individually while you decide what to do.