Differences between public and private profiles on Threads
Note: If you’re under 16, when you create a Threads profile, you’ll have the option to choose between a public or private profile, but Private is selected by default, even if you have a public Instagram account.
When you switch your Threads profile to public or private, it’ll change who can see your posts. You can also manage how public content you post on Threads is suggested by Meta on other Meta Products.
The differences between public and private profiles on Threads
| Public Threads Profile | Private Threads Profile | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can follow you? | Anyone on Threads without your approval. Anyone on the fediverse, if you’ve turned on sharing to it. | Followers on Threads you approve. |
| Who can see Threads profiles you follow and Threads profiles who follow you? | Anyone on Threads. Anyone on the fediverse, if you’ve turned on sharing to it. | Your followers on Threads. |
| Who can see private Threads profiles you follow and private Threads profiles that follow you? | Anyone on Threads. Anyone on the fediverse, if you’ve turned on sharing to it. | Your followers on Threads. |
| Who can see your Threads posts? | Anyone on or off Threads, including on other Meta Products like Facebook. Anyone on the fediverse, if you’ve turned on sharing to it. | Your followers on Threads. |
| Who can see your Threads profile information, including your profile photo, name, username and bio? | Anyone on or off Threads, including on other Meta Products like Facebook. | Anyone on or off Threads, including on other Meta Products like Facebook. |
| Who can share links to your threads? | Anyone. | Anyone. |
| Who can share your threads to their Instagram and/or Facebook story? | Anyone on Threads. | No one. |
| Who can repost your content? | Anyone on Threads. Anyone on the fediverse, if you’ve turned on sharing to it. | Your followers on Threads. |
| Who can quote your content? | Anyone on Threads. Anyone on the fediverse, if you’ve turned on sharing to it. | Your followers on Threads. |
| Who can embed your posts off Threads? | Anyone on or off Threads. | No one. |
For private profiles:- Follow requests appear in Activity, where you can approve or ignore them.
- If someone was already following you before you set your profile to private and you don't want them to see your posts, you can remove them from your followers list or block them.
- If you’ve turned on sharing to the fediverse and switch your profile to private, we’ll turn off sharing to the fediverse from your Threads profile and will request that other servers on the fediverse delete your Threads profile and content from their servers. We cannot guarantee that they will delete your information, and it may remain publicly visible despite your decision to make your Threads profile private.
For all profiles:- The privacy of your Threads profile and Instagram profile can be different.
- Your profile may be recommended for other people on Threads to follow.
- Your profile may appear in search results on Threads.
- Anyone on Threads can mention you, unless you update your mention settings.
- Your profile may appear in search engine results but only your profile information will be visible (your username, name, profile picture, bio and links).
- Anyone who can see your thread will be able to take a screenshot of your thread and share it.
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