What Facebook is and how it works
Facebook is a social network where you create a profile, connect with people you know, and share photos, updates, and links. When you post something, your friends see it in their feed — a constantly updating stream of posts from everyone they follow. You can comment on other people's posts, send private messages, and join groups based on interests.
Facebook is free to use. The company makes money by selling advertising space to businesses, which means ads appear throughout the site based on information Facebook collects about you. Understanding how Facebook works before you set up an account helps you decide whether it fits what you want to do online.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook lets you share updates and photos with people you know, but the platform collects data about your activity to show you targeted ads.
- Your privacy settings control who sees your posts and profile information, and these settings are not set to maximum privacy by default.
- Facebook owns Instagram and WhatsApp, so your data may be shared across these platforms if you use more than one.
- You can deactivate your account temporarily or delete it permanently, and each option has different consequences for your data and messages.
- Scams, fake accounts, and unwanted contact happen on Facebook, so learning to spot them protects you before you post anything personal.
How Facebook collects and uses your information
When you use Facebook, the platform tracks what you click, what you search for, which posts you pause on, and how long you look at each one. It also collects information from websites outside Facebook that have a Facebook button or pixel — a piece of code that reports your activity back to Facebook. This data builds a profile of your interests, which Facebook uses to show you ads it thinks you will engage with.
Facebook also stores your location data, device information, and the contacts in your phone if you give the app permission to access them. You cannot use Facebook without agreeing to this data collection, but you can limit what information you share and who sees it. Your privacy settings are where you control this, and they are found in the menu under Settings & Privacy.
Privacy settings you should change before posting
When you first create a Facebook account, your default settings allow a wide audience to see your posts and profile. Most people find this too open. To change who sees what you share, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Privacy. From there you can set who sees your posts (Friends Only, Public, or custom lists), who can contact you, and who can look up your profile using your email or phone number.
You should also visit the Apps and Websites section under Settings to see which apps and websites have permission to access your Facebook data. Remove any you do not recognize or no longer use. Check the Ads section to see what categories Facebook thinks you fit into — these are based on your activity — and you can remove categories that are inaccurate or that you do not want used to target ads to you.
Even after you change these settings, Facebook still collects data about you. Changing privacy settings controls who among your Facebook contacts sees your posts, not whether Facebook itself sees your activity.
Scams and fake accounts to watch for
Facebook scams often start with a friend request from someone who looks like a real person but is actually a fake account. The scammer may claim to be a romantic interest, a relative in trouble, or someone offering a job or investment opportunity. They build trust over messages, then ask for money, gift cards, or personal information like your Social Security number.
Other common scams include posts promising information programs, free products, or ways to make money quickly — these usually ask you to click a link or enter your information. Marketplace scams happen when someone lists an item for sale, takes payment, and never sends the product. If someone you know suddenly messages asking for money or gift cards, contact them through another method (a phone call, text, or in person) to confirm they actually sent the message.
Before you post personal information on Facebook, remember that scammers can see public posts and use details like your birthday, hometown, or pet's name to guess your passwords or answer security questions on other accounts.
Facebook ownership and data sharing across platforms
Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook Inc.) owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. If you use more than one of these apps, Meta shares data between them. This means your Facebook activity can inform ads you see on Instagram, and your Instagram activity can be used on Facebook. Meta also shares data with third-party advertisers and partners, though you can limit some of this sharing in your settings.
When you use Facebook's login to sign into other websites or apps, Facebook tracks that activity too. This is convenient — you do not have to remember another password — but it also means Facebook knows which other services you use. If you want to limit this tracking, create separate accounts on other platforms instead of using your Facebook login.
Deactivating versus deleting your Facebook account
Deactivating your account temporarily hides your profile and posts from other people, but Facebook keeps all your data. Your messages stay in your friends' inboxes, and if you log back in within 30 days, everything returns to normal. Deactivation is useful if you want a break but might come back.
Deleting your account is permanent. Facebook removes your profile and posts from the site, but it takes up to 90 days for all copies to be deleted from Facebook's backup systems. After deletion, you cannot recover your account, your messages, or your photos. If you think you might want to return to Facebook later, deactivate instead of delete.
To deactivate, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion. To delete, choose the Delete Account option on that same page and follow the steps. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may ask why you are leaving.
Deciding whether Facebook fits your needs
Facebook works well if you want to stay in touch with people you already know, share family photos, or join groups around hobbies and interests. It is less useful if you value privacy highly, because the data collection is built into how the platform operates. It is also not the right choice if you are uncomfortable with targeted advertising or do not want your activity tracked across the internet.
If you decide to use Facebook, start by changing your privacy settings before you post anything. Use a strong, unique password. Do not share your phone number or address publicly. Be skeptical of friend requests from people you do not know and messages asking for money or personal information. These steps do not eliminate risk, but they reduce it significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Facebook without giving it access to my phone contacts?
Yes. When you first open the Facebook app, it asks permission to access your contacts. You can decline this permission. Facebook will still work, but you will not see suggestions for friends based on your phone's contact list. You can change this permission later in your phone's settings under Apps or Permissions.
What happens to my messages if I delete my Facebook account?
Your messages disappear from your own account, but they remain in your friends' inboxes. They can still read what you wrote to them. If you want to remove a message you sent, you can use the "Remove" option on individual messages before you delete your account, though the person may have already seen it.
Does Facebook sell my data to other companies?
Facebook does not directly sell your personal information like your name or email to advertisers. It does share data with advertisers and partners in ways that let them target ads to you without knowing your identity. You can limit some of this sharing in your Ads settings, but you cannot stop it entirely while using Facebook.
Is it safe to use Facebook Marketplace to buy and sell items?
Marketplace carries the same risks as any online buying and selling. Meet in a public place, inspect items before paying, and use payment methods that offer protection (like PayPal or credit cards) rather than cash or wire transfers. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true or sellers who pressure you to pay quickly.
Can I have more than one Facebook account?
Facebook's terms of service say each person should have only one account. Creating multiple accounts can result in Facebook disabling them. If you want separate spaces for different purposes, use Facebook's Groups or Pages features instead, which let you manage different communities under one account.