Facebook takes on Reddit with launch of nicknames for Facebook Groups

Facebook Groups are getting more Reddit-like with newly added support for nicknames. The feature, which allows users to post under a custom username instead of their real name, provides an alternative to posting anonymously. With anonymous posting, users can share without the post being connected to their Facebook profile and real-life identity, but this approach also doesn’t allow other group members to get to know them or their personality, or to follow their updates over time.

Meta says that nicknames will allow people to participate in groups more personally while maintaining privacy, particularly in groups where users want privacy but still want to build a recognizable presence. It also could make Facebook Groups function more like other internet forums and message boards — like Reddit or Discord, for instance — where people post under usernames. This marks a deviation from Facebook’s long-standing “real name” policy, which has insisted that people show up on the platform with the name they use in everyday life.

That policy worked when Facebook was largely a social network built on top of real-world relationships with family and friends, but the addition of Facebook Groups expanded users’ circles of interactions to include online strangers, which necessitated more privacy protections.

After users in a group set their nickname, they can then post, comment, and react under that nickname within groups that support the feature. This allows users to hide their main profile and profile photo from other members but not from group admins, moderators, or Facebook’s own systems.

However, others in the group will be able to view a user’s complete post history under their nickname in that group, as well as the comments and reactions made in the group over the last seven days.

Facebook will suggest nicknames to users, but users can change this nickname to one of their choosing. The name has to comply with Facebook’s Community Standards and can’t already be used by another group member. The company will also suggest a profile picture for the nickname, though users can pick their own from those available, along with selecting a colored background.

To access the feature, users will find the option next to “Post anonymously” when creating a post and then choose the option 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. Additionally, changing a nickname doesn’t allow users to distance themselves from past posts and comments. Instead, when changed, their new nickname will be applied to their past posts, comments, and reactions, though this may take time to appear across devices and groups. If users have different nicknames in different groups, the name change will only impact the posts, comments, and reactions in the group tied to that specific nickname.

The company says users with nicknames can’t use some features like Live Video, content sharing, or private messaging. Users can block others by nickname, as well.

The feature is available globally but requires group admin approval to enable in each group.