Where to find the delete option on each platform

The delete button is usually hidden in a menu next to or above your post, not visible at first glance. On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X, look for three dots (sometimes called a menu icon) in the upper right corner of the post itself. Click or tap those dots and select "Delete" or "Delete Post" from the menu that appears.

On TikTok, swipe left on your own post from your profile, or tap the three dots on the post and choose "Delete". On LinkedIn, the three-dot menu appears to the right of the timestamp. YouTube requires you to go to your channel, find the video in your uploads, and click the three-dot menu next to it. Snapchat does not allow you to delete posts after they leave your story — they disappear automatically after 24 hours unless you save them.

If you cannot find the menu icon, make sure you are looking at your own post, not someone else's. You can only delete posts you created. On some platforms, the icon location changes slightly depending on whether you are using the app or the website version.

Key Takeaways

  • The delete option is almost always in a three-dot menu icon next to or above your post, not a button you see at first.
  • You can only delete posts you created yourself — you cannot remove someone else's post from their account.
  • Deleting a post removes it from your timeline and other people's feeds, but does not erase it from screenshots or archived copies.
  • Some platforms let you edit a post instead of deleting it, which keeps the post visible but changes the content.
  • If you delete a post by accident, most platforms do not have an undo button — the post is gone permanently.

What happens when you delete a post

When you delete a post, it disappears from your profile, your followers' feeds, and search results on that platform. People who saw the post before you deleted it will notice it is gone if they go back to look for it. Likes, comments, and shares attached to that post also disappear.

However, deleting a post does not erase it completely from the internet. Anyone who took a screenshot or saved the post before you deleted it still has a copy. Some third-party websites archive social media posts automatically, so the post may still exist in those archives even after you remove it from your account. Deleting a post is useful for removing something from active view, but it is not a way to make sure no one ever saw it.

The difference between deleting and editing a post

Most platforms let you edit a post after you publish it. Editing changes the text or image while keeping the post on your timeline with the same timestamp and comment history. A small "Edited" label usually appears below the post so people know it was changed.

Deleting removes the entire post. Use editing if you made a typo, want to add information, or need to correct a factual error. Use deleting if you want the post completely off your timeline — for example, if you shared something you now regret or posted something by accident. Editing is less disruptive because your followers can still see what you said and the conversation stays intact.

Deleting posts on private versus public accounts

On a private account, only people you approved as followers can see your posts, so deleting one removes it from a smaller audience. On a public account, your posts are visible to anyone, so deleting reaches a larger group of people who may have already seen it. The deletion process itself works the same way on both account types.

If you are concerned about what you have posted publicly, you have the option to change your account to private, which hides all past posts from people who are not following you. This does not delete the posts — it just restricts who can see them. People who already follow you will still see everything you posted.

Bulk deleting multiple posts at once

Most platforms do not have a built-in tool to delete many posts in one action. Facebook and Instagram let you archive posts instead, which hides them from your timeline without deleting them. Archived posts are visible only to you, and you can unarchive them later if you change your mind.

If you want to delete many posts, you will need to delete them one at a time using the three-dot menu. Some third-party apps claim to bulk-delete posts, but these apps require you to give them access to your account, which carries security risks. It is usually safer to delete posts manually, even if it takes longer.

What to do if you deleted a post by accident

Most social media platforms do not have an undo or recovery option for deleted posts. Once you delete a post, it is gone from your account permanently. Facebook and Instagram do not restore deleted posts, even if you contact their support teams.

The only way to recover a deleted post is if you saved a copy of it yourself — a screenshot, a draft, or a backup file on your computer. If you regularly post content you might want to keep, consider saving copies before you publish. Some people keep a folder of their own posts as a personal archive.

Reasons to delete old posts

People delete posts for many reasons. You might remove a post because your views have changed, because you shared something too personal, because it contains outdated information, or because you straightforward do not want it representing you anymore. Cleaning up old posts is a normal part of managing your online presence.

If you are preparing for a job search or want to present a different image of yourself, reviewing and deleting old posts is a practical step. Employers and other people often look at social media profiles, so removing posts that do not reflect who you are now can matter. You do not have to delete everything — just the posts that concern you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete someone else's post on my timeline?

No. You can only delete posts you created yourself. If someone else posted something on your timeline or tagged you in a post, you can ask them to delete it, but you cannot delete it from their account. You can hide posts from your timeline or untag yourself, which removes it from your view without deleting it.

Does deleting a post remove it from Google search results?

Deleting a post from the platform removes it from that platform's search, but it may still appear in Google search results for a while. Google indexes pages regularly but does not update when ready. You can ask Google to remove the page from search results using Google Search Console, though this takes time.

What if I delete a post that someone commented on or shared?

When you delete a post, all comments and shares attached to it disappear as well. People who commented or shared will see that the post is gone, but they cannot see what it said anymore. Their comments and shares are removed from the platform.

Can I delete posts from years ago all at once?

Most platforms require you to delete posts one at a time. Some platforms like Facebook let you archive old posts instead, which hides them without deleting. Third-party bulk-delete tools exist but require giving access to your account, which is a security risk.

Will deleting a post delete the messages people sent me about it?

No. Direct messages and comments are separate from the post itself. Deleting a post removes the post and its comments, but private messages people sent you stay in your message inbox. If someone messaged you about the post, that conversation remains.