Facebook Graph Search: what is it? Easily explained
Facebook Graph Search is an advanced search function on Facebook. In this article we show you exactly what that is, how it works and how you can protect yourself.
Facebook: Graph Search: What is it?
With the search on the social network, you search the network specifically for keywords. As a result, they discover common interests and can find certain users.
- The Facebook Graph Search functon helps connect people with the same interests.
- Facebook automatically uses all content that is posted "publicly".
- Under certain keywords, your images and markings will appear to other users.
This is how the search works on Facebook Graph Search
To date, however, the search function has not worked entirely in Germany. To use the search in Germany you have to change the language to English. Graph Search must first be activated.
- Go to "Settings" on Facebook.
- Select "General". There you will find the language settings.
- Go to "Edit".
- Select the language "English (US).
- Confirm with "Save changes".
- If you now enter something in the search function, Facebook Graph Search will be activated. However, be sure to type the words in English.
Beware of Facebook Graph Search
Facebook Graph Search is very helpful and practical. However, this makes them very easy to spy on. For example, other users can see which pages you have visited or what you liked. In addition, it is not 100% certain that posts marked as private will not be shown to other people.
- Facebook friends can, for example, download embarrassing and damaging images from your account and upload them to your own pin boards. This enables the graph search to search and find the images again.
- So be careful what pictures you post. These can be used by other users.
How to protect yourself from the Graph Search function
If you do not want your images to be found using the search function, you will need to change Facebook's settings.
- Change the general data on place of residence, relationship status, sexual orientation, employer and much more from "public" to "only me". Alternatively, delete the revealed information from Facebook.
- Set the friend list to invisible. To do this, go to "Friends" in the profile. This prevents other users from seeing who you are friends with on Facebook. In order to extract the information from the graph search as well, all friends must have set the friend list to invisible,
- Change the visibility of your own likes. To do this, click on "More" in the profile. There you will find the "Like" option. Set the visibility there to "only me". Also think carefully about what you like.
- This is exactly how it works with your own posts of texts and images. To do this, go to the "Privacy" settings. There you set the reach for new posts as well as for those already posted.
- Of course there are many other tips to protect yourself from Graph Research or even to remove yourself from it.