Facebook Groups are introducing a new feature that makes them more similar to Reddit: support for nicknames. This feature allows users to post under a custom username instead of their real name. It provides an alternative to posting anonymously. While anonymous posting lets users share without connecting the post to their Facebook profile, it does not let other group members get to know the user or follow their updates over time.
According to Meta, nicknames will let people participate in groups more personally while still maintaining privacy. This is especially useful in groups where users want privacy but also wish to build a recognizable presence. This change could make Facebook Groups function more like other internet forums such as Reddit or Discord, where people post under usernames. This marks a shift from Facebook’s long-standing real name policy, which required people to use the name they use in everyday life.
That original policy worked when Facebook was primarily a social network for real-world friends and family. However, the expansion into Facebook Groups broadened user interactions to include online strangers, creating a need for more privacy protections.
After a user in a group sets a custom nickname, they can post, comment, and react under that nickname in groups that support the feature. This allows users to hide their main profile and profile photo from other members, though group admins, moderators, and Facebook’s systems will still have access. Other group members will be able to view a user’s complete post history under that nickname within the group, including comments and reactions from the last seven days.
Facebook will suggest nicknames to users, but users can change this to a name of their own choosing. The chosen name must comply with Facebook’s Community Standards and cannot already be in use by another group member. The company will also suggest a profile picture for the nickname, though users can pick their own from available options and select a colored background.
To access the feature, users will find the option next to Post anonymously when creating a post and then choose to customize a nickname. The option to use the nickname can be turned off at any time, allowing users to post under their real name again.
While users can change their nickname, they can only do so once every two days. Changing a nickname does not let users distance themselves from their past posts and comments. Instead, the new nickname will be applied to their past posts, comments, and reactions, though this update may take time to appear across devices and groups. If a user has different nicknames in different groups, a name change will only affect the posts and activity in the group tied to that specific nickname.
The company states that users with nicknames cannot use some features like Live Video, content sharing, or private messaging. Users can block others by nickname.
This feature is available globally but requires group admin approval to be enabled in each group.