You can find a private, visible group through Facebook searches. Log in to your account and navigate to the groups’ menu. Type the group’s name or keyword on the search bar, and the groups’ suggestions will appear. Click on the group you are interested in and click ‘join group.’ The request will be sent to the group moderator.
However, private hidden groups cannot be found through a Facebook search, and you can only know of such groups through existing members or by inquiring about them online.
Key Takeaways
- Private Facebook can be visible or hidden
- You can find visible groups through Facebook searches, and you can join by sending a request
- Hidden groups cannot be found anywhere on Facebook, and you have to ask friends or online communities
- Joining hidden groups is through invitations only
The existence of private Facebook groups is, for obvious reasons, to maintain the privacy of the group members. Such groups are created to serve people who have a common interest. In private visible, the admin will evaluate your request and allow you to join if you are deemed to share their interest. However, finding a private hidden group is challenging as none of its aspects is visible. But we are here to help you. In this article, you will learn ways to find private groups, visible or hidden. Read on!
What is the difference between private visible and hidden Facebook groups?
Private visible Facebook groups are the ones that anyone can find in search filters and other places on the platform. Non-members of such groups can see the member lists, descriptions and the name of the group. You will have to request to join the group and receive approval from the admin. Before joining, you cannot see the group’s announcements, discussions, and posts.
On the other hand, private hidden Facebook groups are the ones that only group members can find in search filters and other places on the platform. Non-members cannot see anything about the group, not even member lists, descriptions, or the name of the group as in the case of private visible. You must be invited or added by existing members to join private hidden groups.
Here is the summary of the difference between visible and hidden private Facebook groups
| Private hidden | Private visible | |
| Who can see the Facebook group’s name? | Current and invited members | Anyone |
| Who can find the Facebook group through search filters? | Current and invited members | Facebook users |
| Who can view the Facebook group description? | Current and invited members | Anyone |
| Who can see the member list? | Current, former, and invited members | Facebook users |
| Who can request to join the Facebook group? | Nobody. Joining is through invites | Facebook users |
How to find private visible Facebook groups
Given so many existing Facebook groups with others being created daily, browsing through them can be challenging. Facebook has created features that make it easy to find groups based on interest. You can therefore use the following ways to find private visible groups:
1. Use Facebook search filters
Facebook search filter allows you to find a private visible group with ease. To use this method, navigate to ‘groups’ on your Facebook account and click it. Group suggestions will appear, and a filter menu on the side. Choose ‘Private groups’ under ‘show only’ and ‘Any Group’ under ‘membership’ on the ‘Filter Results.’ Browse through the results, familiarize yourself with the group, and request to join if interested. There is also a search bar where you can type the group name or related keyword to narrow down the results.
2 Use Facebook’s group page suggestions
Navigate to the Facebook group’s page to see the groups you have joined and active group invitations. You will also see general categories groups which you can browse through to find and request to join. The page further shows recommended Facebook groups based on your interests and your friend’s group. Check the suggestion and find a private visible group without asking your friend.
3. Search on online communities such as Reddit
If you are looking for a group that tackles specific issues, you can join online community platforms such as Reddit and ask for such groups. Members will give you various suggestions. Now go to Facebook search and type the names of the suggested groups and request to join.
How to find private hidden Facebook groups?
Private hidden Facebook groups, previously known as secret groups, can only be accessed by members. The name and description of the group are not available anywhere on Facebook, and you can join through invitations only. If you want to find such groups, try the following methods:
1. Search on online communities such as Reddit
Like private visible groups, you can inquire about the hidden groups on online community platforms such as Reddit. You will find a list of secret groups that members know of. The listed groups are not verified, but it can give you an idea of their existence. You can highlight groups you are interested in and request any member to send you an invitation.
2. Ask your Facebook friends
No matter how secret the Facebook group is, it can only be hidden for as long as you don’t aggressively ask for it. Connect with as many friends on Facebook and use them as an avenue to find hidden groups. You can post on your timeline the kind of secret groups you are interested in and request anyone who is a member to send you an invitation. If you want to keep it private, send a DM to your friends, asking them if they belong to a secret group of your interest. The idea is to build a wide social network that can provide information, including inviting you to hidden groups.
How to join a private group on Facebook
Once you find a private visible group through a Facebook search, you can click ‘join group’ to send a request to the admin. You will automatically join the group once the admin accepts your request.
If it is a hidden group, the only way to join is through an invitation. Find out a group member through online community platforms or ask your friends on Facebook and request them to invite you.
Below are the steps to follow:
For Private visible
Step 1: Log in to your Facebook account and maneuver to the group’s main page
Step 2: On the page’s menu, click ‘Join Group.’ Your request will be sent to the group admin.
Step 3: Keep checking your notification. Facebook will notify you once the moderator approves your request. You will receive group posts and see comments and likes in your feed once your request is approved.
For private hidden
Step 1: Log in to your Facebook account and go to your notification panel to check whether there is an invite from a private hidden group. Joining a private hidden group is through invitations only. If you know of a member of such groups, you can request them to send you an invitation.
Step 2: Go through the guidelines of such a group, mostly sent in document format. If you agree with them, accept the invitation. Once you accept to join, you will start receiving the group posts and any notifications based on the group’s settings.
N/B: You can only receive an invitation to join a private hidden group from a friend.
How to tell if a Facebook group is visible or hidden
If you belong to various Facebook groups and want to check which ones are visible or hidden, navigate to ‘Groups’ on your timeline. Click on the group you want to check and go to ‘about’ in the left menu. You will see the group description, which will state whether it is hidden or visible.
To check a private visible group you aren’t a member of, navigate to that particular group and scroll down to the description. Under the group description, you will see ‘hidden’ or ‘visible.’
FAQs
Can others see if I join a private Facebook group?
It depends on whether you have joined hidden or visible groups. Friends will see when you join visible groups. But no one, who is not a group member, can see when you join a hidden group. Your friends can only know if you tell them or invite them to join.
Can a non-friend add me to a private hidden Facebook group?
A non-friend cannot add you to a private hidden group. They can only invite you if you are on their friend list. They must send you a friend request if they want to add you. Once you accept, they can send you an invite to join the group.
Key Insights & Takeaway!
There is so much stuff you can do on the Facebook platform with private groups giving members a chance to do their business off the public domain. People with similar interests can create a private Facebook group to communicate amongst themselves without fear of the information getting to others. So, if you want to find such groups, use Facebook searches or ask on online platforms if you are looking for private hidden groups.
References:
https://blog.hootsuite.com/facebook-secret-groups/
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/facebook-closed-secret-groups/