How to correct a post on Facebook
Facebook lets you edit a post after you've shared it, so you can fix typos, change wording, or add missing information without deleting the whole thing. The edit button appears on any post you created — look for the three dots in the top right corner of your post, then select "Edit post". Your changes appear when ready, and Facebook adds a small "(Edited)" label so people know the post was changed.
If you want to remove a post entirely instead of fixing it, you can delete it from the same menu. Deleted posts disappear from your timeline and from other people's feeds, though anyone who saw it before deletion may remember it. For posts that contain sensitive information or that you deeply regret, deletion is often the better choice than editing.
Key Takeaways
- Edit a post by tapping or clicking the three dots in the top right corner, then selecting "Edit post" — your changes take effect when ready.
- Facebook adds an "(Edited)" label to posts you change, so people can see the post was modified after it was first shared.
- Deleting a post removes it from your timeline and feed, though people who saw it before deletion may still remember it.
- You can only edit or delete posts you created yourself — you cannot change or remove comments other people left on your posts.
- Edited posts keep their original timestamp and all existing comments and reactions, so editing does not reset engagement.
Finding the edit button on your post
The edit option is in a menu that appears on every post you create. On a phone or tablet, look for three dots stacked vertically in the top right corner of your post — this is sometimes called the "more" menu. On a computer, the three dots appear in the same spot. Tap or click those dots and a list of options will appear.
The menu shows several choices: "Edit post", "Delete", "Turn off commenting", and others depending on what type of post it is. Select "Edit post" to open your post in edit mode. The text becomes editable when ready, and you can change words, fix spelling, add new sentences, or remove parts you no longer want.
Making changes and saving your edit
Once you tap or click "Edit post", the text area becomes active and you can type, delete, or rearrange words just like you would in any text box. You can also add or remove hashtags, mentions of other people, or links. If your post contains a photo or video, you cannot change the image itself through the edit function — you would need to delete the post and create a new one with a different image.
After you finish making changes, look for a "Save" button, usually at the bottom of the edit box. On phones this may say "Save" or show a checkmark. On computers it typically says "Save" in blue text. Click or tap it, and your changes take effect when ready. The post returns to your timeline with all your edits in place, and an "(Edited)" label appears below the timestamp so people know the post was changed after it was first shared.
What the "(Edited)" label means and what it shows
When you edit a post, Facebook automatically adds a small "(Edited)" label next to the date and time the post was originally shared. This label is visible to anyone who can see the post. If someone clicks or taps on the "(Edited)" label, they can see a history of when the post was changed — though Facebook does not show them the exact words you removed or changed, only the dates of edits.
The "(Edited)" label stays on the post permanently, even if you only fixed a single typo. This is Facebook's way of being transparent: it signals that the post is not exactly as it appeared when first shared. The label does not affect how many people see the post or how the algorithm treats it — edited posts reach the same audience as unedited ones.
Deleting a post instead of editing it
If you want to remove a post entirely rather than fix it, use the same three-dot menu and select "Delete" instead of "Edit post". A confirmation box will appear asking "Are you sure?" — tap or click "Delete" again to confirm. The post disappears from your timeline and from your friends' feeds when ready.
Deleted posts cannot be recovered through Facebook's interface, so make sure you want it gone before you confirm. However, people who saw the post before you deleted it may have taken a screenshot or shared it elsewhere, so deletion does not may provide the post is completely gone from the internet. If the post contained sensitive personal information like a phone number or address, deletion is still the right move to limit how widely it spreads.
Editing comments on your own posts
You can edit comments you wrote on your own posts using the same method: find the three dots on the comment, select "Edit", make your changes, and save. However, you cannot edit comments that other people left on your posts — you can only delete them. If someone else's comment contains misinformation or is offensive, you can remove it by tapping the three dots on their comment and selecting "Delete".
Deleting someone else's comment from your post does not notify them that you removed it, though they may notice if they go back to look at the post. If a comment is abusive or violates Facebook's rules, you can also report it to Facebook rather than just deleting it — this gives Facebook a chance to review the person's account for patterns of harmful behavior.
Editing posts with photos, videos, or links
Posts that contain images or videos can be edited for text, but the image or video itself cannot be changed through the edit function. If you need to swap out a photo or video, delete the post and create a new one with the correct image. You can, however, edit the caption or description that appears with the photo or video — just tap "Edit post" and change the text portion.
Posts with links work the same way: you can edit the text around the link, but you cannot change the URL itself through editing. If you shared the wrong link, delete the post and share the correct one. Facebook will generate a new preview of the link automatically when you paste it in a new post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can people see what I changed when I edited a post?
No. Facebook shows people that a post was edited by displaying the "(Edited)" label, and clicking that label shows when edits were made, but Facebook does not display the specific words you removed or changed. Only you can see the full edit history of your own posts.
If I edit a post, do the comments and reactions stay?
Yes. All comments, likes, and reactions remain on the post after you edit it. The timestamp also stays the same — editing does not make the post appear new or reset its position in people's feeds. The post keeps all its engagement.
What happens if I delete a post — can I get it back?
No. Once you delete a post through Facebook, it cannot be recovered. If you deleted it by accident, you would need to recreate it from scratch. Facebook does not have an "undo" feature for deleted posts.
Can I edit a post I shared to a group or a page I manage?
Yes. The edit function works the same way on group posts and page posts as it does on your personal timeline. Find the three dots, select "Edit post", make your changes, and save. The "(Edited)" label appears on group and page posts just as it does on personal posts.
What if I want to hide a post from my timeline without deleting it?
You can archive a post instead of deleting it. In the three-dot menu, select "Move to Archive" — the post disappears from your timeline but stays in a private archive that only you can see. This is useful if you want to keep the post but do not want it visible to your friends.