Where to find and edit your group's About section
The About section lives on your Facebook group's main page, just below the group name and cover photo. To change it, go to your group, then click the three dots menu (or "More" on mobile) next to the group name. Select "Edit group settings" or "Group settings." From there, click on the "About" tab or section — the exact label depends on whether you're on desktop or mobile, but it's always near the top of the settings menu.
You need to be a group admin or moderator to make this change. If you're not seeing an edit option, you don't have permission yet. Ask the group creator or another admin to promote you to admin or moderator status first.
Key Takeaways
- The About section is edited through your group's settings menu, found by clicking the three dots next to your group name.
- Only admins and moderators can change the About section — regular members cannot.
- Your About section should clearly state the group's purpose, rules, and what kinds of posts members should share.
- Changes take effect when ready and are visible to all group members and anyone browsing your group.
- You can include links, hashtags, and formatting to make the About section easier to read.
What information to include in your About section
The About section is the first thing people read when they land on your group page, so use it to explain what the group is for. Write one or two sentences describing the group's main topic — for example, "A space for parents of toddlers to share information and support" or "Buy, sell, and trade vintage furniture in the Portland area."
Add your group rules next. Keep them short and specific: "No spam," "Be respectful," "No self-promotion without mod approval." Members are more likely to follow rules they can quickly understand. If you have a lot of rules, you can also create a pinned post with the full list and just summarize the biggest ones in the About section.
Include any other details that help people decide if they want to join: whether the group is for a specific location, age group, skill level, or interest. If membership requires something specific — like owning a certain product or living in a certain area — say that upfront so people don't request to join if they don't may have access to.
How to format your About section for readability
Facebook allows line breaks in the About section, so use them. Instead of writing one long paragraph, break your information into chunks: purpose, rules, and any other details. This makes it much easier for people to scan quickly on their phone.
You can also use straightforward formatting: start each section with a bold word like "Purpose:" or "Rules:" to make it stand out. Hashtags work in the About section too, so if your group is tied to a specific topic or event, you can add relevant hashtags at the bottom. Avoid using all caps or too many special characters — it makes the section harder to read and looks unprofessional.
When to update your About section
Update your About section whenever your group's focus or rules change. If you add a new rule because of a problem that came up, add it to the About section so new members see it right away. If your group expands to cover new topics or welcomes a different audience, update the description to match.
You should also review your About section every few months to make sure it still matches how your group actually works. Groups often evolve over time, and an outdated About section can confuse new members or attract the wrong people.
Common mistakes to avoid
Don't make your About section too long. Most people won't read more than a few sentences before deciding whether to join. Save detailed information for a pinned post or a separate document you link to in the About section.
Avoid vague descriptions like "A fun group for everyone" or "We talk about lots of things." These don't tell people what the group is actually for, and they attract members who don't fit your community. Be specific about your group's purpose and who it's for.
Don't forget to update your rules if they change. If you've decided to ban a certain type of post or added a new requirement, members need to see that in the About section, not just hear about it in a comment. This protects you legally too — members can't claim they didn't know a rule if it's clearly written in the About section.
Viewing your About section as members see it
After you save your changes, click away from the settings menu and look at your group's main page. The About section appears right below the cover photo on desktop and in a dedicated tab on mobile. Take a moment to read it the way a new member would — does it make sense? Is it straightforward to scan? Are there any typos?
You can also ask a trusted member to look at it and tell you if anything is confusing. Sometimes what makes sense to you as the admin isn't clear to someone seeing the group for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can members see when I change the About section?
No, Facebook doesn't notify members when you edit the About section. The change takes effect when ready, but members only see it if they visit the group page and look at the About tab. You might want to post an announcement if you've made a major change to the rules or purpose.
Can I add links or images to the About section?
You can add links in the About section, and Facebook will turn them into clickable URLs. You cannot embed images directly in the About section itself, but you can link to a document or external page that has images. Some admins create a pinned post with images and link to it from the About section.
What if I want to hide the About section from non-members?
The About section is visible to anyone who can see your group, including non-members if your group is public. If you want to keep information private, put it in a pinned post instead — you can set pinned posts to be visible only to members.
How long can the About section be?
Facebook doesn't publish an exact character limit, but most admins keep it under 500 words. Anything longer is better saved as a pinned post or a separate document. The shorter your About section, the more likely people will actually read it.