Social media is a weird place. One day you’re sharing photos of your sourdough starter with a coworker, and the next, they’re commenting on every single post you’ve ever made since 2012. It’s awkward. You don't necessarily want to "unfriend" them because that sends a loud, clear message of rejection. You definitely don’t want to block them and deal with the "Hey, I can't find your profile" conversation at the office coffee machine. This is exactly why the Restricted List exists. Honestly, it’s the most underrated privacy feature on the platform.
Basically, when you restrict someone on Facebook, you’re putting them in a digital waiting room. They stay your "friend." They can still see your public posts. But the second you post something intended only for your "Friends," they see absolutely nothing. It’s the ultimate way to ghost someone politely while maintaining the facade of a digital connection.
Why you should probably restrict someone on Facebook right now
Most people treat their friend list like a bucket. Everyone goes in. Your grandma, your high school rival, that guy you met at a networking event three years ago—they all get the same access to your life. That’s a mistake. Privacy isn't just about hiding; it's about curation.
If you have a boss who is a little too curious about your weekend plans, or a distant relative who picks political fights in your comments, the Restricted List is your best friend. Meta—the parent company of Facebook—designed this tool specifically for these "middle-ground" relationships. It’s different from "unfollowing." Unfollowing just means you don't see their junk. Restricting means they don't see your life. It’s a power move, really.
Think about the security implications too. We share a lot. Our kids' schools, our favorite local spots, when we're away on vacation. Do you really want every casual acquaintance knowing your house is empty for two weeks? Probably not.
The step-by-step reality of how to restrict someone on Facebook
The process is actually a bit tucked away. Facebook doesn't exactly advertise it because they want you sharing everything with everyone. Engagement is their bread and butter. But you can find it if you know where to look.
👉 See also: Japan Data Center Power News: Why the Grid is the New Gold Rush
On the Mobile App (iOS and Android)
First, open the Facebook app. Search for the person you want to limit. Go to their profile. You'll see a button that says Friends (it usually has a little person icon next to it). Tap that. A menu will slide up from the bottom of your screen. Look for Edit Friend List.
Now, this is where people get confused. You might see a bunch of options like "Close Friends" or "Acaintances." Ignore those for a second and look for Restricted. Tap it. A blue checkmark should appear. That’s it. They are now in the digital doghouse. No notification is sent. No bells ring. They just quietly lose access to your private world.
On a Desktop Browser
The web version is slightly different but arguably easier if you’re doing a "friend list purge." Go to the profile of the person in question. Click on the Friends button near the top of their page. Select Edit Friend List. Again, just check the Restricted box.
I’ve found that doing this on a laptop feels more "official." It’s a good Sunday afternoon activity. Go through your list. Ask yourself: "Do I want this person seeing my kids?" If the answer is no, click that box.
What actually happens behind the scenes?
Here is the nuance. When you restrict someone on Facebook, the "Privacy" setting on your individual posts becomes the gatekeeper.
- Public Posts: If you post a photo and the privacy icon is a globe (Public), the restricted person will see it.
- Friends Only Posts: If the icon is the two-person silhouette (Friends), the restricted person will not see it. To them, it’s like you haven't posted in months.
- Tags: If a mutual friend tags both of you in a photo, they can see that. You can't hide from everything.
It’s important to remember that this isn't a "block." If they go to your profile, they can still see your cover photo, your profile picture (if public), and any info you’ve set to public. To the casual observer, you just look like someone who doesn't post very often. It’s a brilliant bit of social engineering.
Common misconceptions and "The Glitch"
People always worry. "Will they know?"
Unless they are incredibly tech-savvy or paranoid, no. If they notice they haven't seen your posts in a while, they might just think the algorithm is burying you. We all know the Facebook algorithm is a mess anyway. They might assume you've just been busy.
However, there is a "glitch" of sorts—not a technical one, but a social one. If you post a "Friends Only" status and a mutual friend comments on it, and the restricted person sees that mutual friend's activity, things can get dicey. They might see "So-and-so commented on [Your Name]'s post," but when they click it, they get a "Content Not Available" message. That is the only real "tell." It’s rare, but it happens.
Also, restricting doesn't affect Messenger. They can still slide into your DMs. If you want to stop that, you have to "Restrict" them on Messenger specifically, which is a different setting that moves the conversation to your "Message Requests" folder and hides your "Active" status.
Expert tips for managing your digital boundaries
Don't just restrict people reactively. Be proactive.
I know people who have 500+ people on their restricted list. It’s basically their default setting for anyone who isn't a core friend. This allows you to maintain a high "Friend" count (if you care about that) while keeping your actual life private.
- Check your "View As" tool. Facebook used to have a great feature where you could see your profile as a specific person. It’s harder to find now, but you can still "View as Public" in your profile settings. Do this. It’s eye-opening to see what a stranger—or a restricted friend—sees.
- Audit your "Public" settings. If all your posts are set to "Public" by default, the Restricted List does nothing. You need to change your default posting privacy to "Friends."
- The "Acquaintances" list is different. Don't confuse the two. Putting someone on the "Acquaintances" list just means you'll see less of their stuff. It doesn't hide your stuff from them.
Restricting is about reclaiming your digital space. We don't owe everyone a front-row seat to our lives. Sometimes, a little distance is the best way to keep a relationship healthy. It avoids the drama of a breakup but gives you the breathing room you need.
Taking control of your feed
Once you've restricted the necessary people, take a look at your own feed. Is it actually bringing you joy? Or is it just noise? Use the "Favorites" list to prioritize people you actually like. Between restricting the "energy vampires" and favoriting your actual friends, you can turn Facebook from a source of anxiety back into a tool for connection.
If you've followed these steps, your "Friends Only" posts are now invisible to the people you've selected. You can go back to sharing your sourdough photos in peace.
Next Steps for Your Privacy:
Check your Privacy Checkup in the Facebook settings menu. It’s a quick walkthrough that ensures your phone number, email, and birthday aren't visible to people you've restricted. Then, head over to your Activity Log to see if any old posts are still set to "Public" and change them to "Friends" in bulk. This ensures your Restricted List actually has something to hide.