| Default privacy level (most platforms) | Public or semi-public — not private |
| Platforms covered in this guide | Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn |
| Recommended review frequency | Every 3–6 months, or after major app updates |
| Two-factor authentication availability | Available on all five platforms listed |
| Data download option | Available on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn |
Why Social Media Privacy Settings Matter
Every time you post, like, or simply scroll, social platforms collect data — about what you share, who you interact with, and even how long you pause on a particular photo. The good news is that most major platforms offer privacy controls that let you limit what's visible and how your data is used. The bad news: those controls are rarely turned on by default.
This reference covers the key privacy settings available on the most widely used social networks. Think of it as a lookup guide — find your platform, check the settings described, and adjust what doesn't feel right for you. For a broader look at your overall digital footprint, see our personal online privacy audit checklist.
| Default privacy level (most platforms) | Public or semi-public — not private |
| Platforms covered in this guide | Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn |
| Recommended review frequency | Every 3–6 months, or after major app updates |
| Two-factor authentication availability | Available on all five platforms listed |
| Data download option | Available on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn |
Platform-by-Platform Privacy Controls
Facebook / Meta
Facebook offers one of the most comprehensive — and most layered — privacy menus of any platform. Key areas to review include:
- Audience selector: Each post can be set to Public, Friends, Friends except…, Specific friends, or Only me. This does not apply retroactively, so past posts need a separate review using the Limit Past Posts tool.
- Profile visibility: Under Settings > Privacy, you can control who can search for you by email or phone number and whether search engines can link to your profile.
- Off-Facebook activity: This tool shows data received from third-party apps and websites, and lets you disconnect that history from your account.
- Ad preferences: You can review and limit the interest categories Meta uses to target you with ads.
Instagram's privacy model is simpler but still important to understand:
- Private account: Switching to a private account means only approved followers can see your posts, reels, and stories.
- Story controls: You can hide stories from specific users without unfollowing or blocking them.
- Activity status: Turn off Show activity status so others can't see when you were last active.
- Data download: Request a copy of your data under Settings > Account > Download data.
X (formerly Twitter)
- Protected posts: Protecting your posts means only approved followers can see them and they won't appear in public searches.
- Direct message controls: You can restrict who can send you DMs to only people you follow.
- Discoverability: Under Settings > Privacy and safety, turn off the option to let others find you by email or phone number.
TikTok
- Private account: Only approved followers can view your videos and interact with your content.
- Who can duet/stitch: You can limit remixing features to friends only, or turn them off entirely.
- Comment filters: Filter out keywords and restrict comments to reduce unwanted interactions.
- Data sharing: Review Settings > Privacy > Ads to limit personalized advertising.
- Profile visibility: Choose whether your profile appears in public search results and what non-connections can see.
- Activity broadcasts: Turn off activity broadcasts if you don't want connections notified every time you update your profile — useful when job searching discreetly.
- Data export: Download a copy of your data, including connections, messages, and job applications, under Settings & Privacy > Data Privacy.
Audience selector
A setting on platforms like Facebook that lets you choose who can see a specific post — options typically range from 'Public' to 'Only me.' It applies post by post, not to your entire account.
Two-factor authentication (2FA)
A security feature that requires a second form of verification — such as a code sent to your phone — in addition to your password. It significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized account access.
Off-platform activity
Data that social networks receive about your behavior on other websites and apps, often through embedded tracking pixels or login integrations. Most major platforms now offer tools to view and limit this.
Connected apps
Third-party applications that you've authorized to access your social media account. These can continue collecting data long after you've stopped actively using them unless access is revoked.
Protected / private account
An account setting that restricts your content to approved followers only, preventing it from appearing in public searches or being viewed by anyone not on your approved list.
Cross-Platform Habits That Strengthen Your Privacy
Individual platform settings matter, but a few consistent habits apply everywhere:
- Audit connected apps regularly. Third-party apps that you granted access to years ago may still be pulling data from your account. Revoke access to any app you no longer recognize or use.
- Use a strong, unique password for each platform and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever it's available. This limits damage if credentials are ever exposed.
- Think before you tag. Tagging locations and other people in posts shares information about them too — not just you.
- Review settings after major updates. Platforms sometimes reset or add new data-sharing options after large product updates. A quarterly check takes just a few minutes.
If you have children who use social platforms, explore our principles for keeping children safer online and parental controls available on smartphones for additional guidance tailored to younger users.
Social media privacy settings are a starting point, not a complete solution. To understand the broader picture of how your personal data circulates online, our guide on what data brokers know about you is worth reading alongside this one.
Settings Can Change Without Notice
Social platforms update their apps frequently, and privacy menus are sometimes reorganized or renamed in the process. If you can't find a setting described here, use the platform's in-app search or help center to locate its current name and location. It's also worth checking whether any new data-sharing options have been added — and whether they were opted in by default.