Facebook housing groups
What's the difference between a private and a public housing group?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
In a public group, anyone, even people not on Facebook, can see the posts and comments. In a private group, only approved members can see posts and who else belongs. Many housing groups are private, which keeps listings and conversations away from scrapers and limits who can see and contact posters.
Facebook also has a separate visible or hidden setting for private groups. A visible private group shows up in search, so you can find it and request to join. A hidden group can only be reached through an invitation or a direct link.
What private means for you:
- Your posts and comments are seen only by members, not by Facebook friends outside the group.
- Admins and moderators can see your posts, your membership answers and your public profile.
- Members can still screenshot or share what you post, so leave out anything you would not want forwarded.
A private group is only as safe as its screening. One that approves every request is not much different from a public group, which is why who moderates a group, and how, matters more than the label.
Want the whole picture? Read How Facebook Housing Groups Work.