One element of Facebook I’ve never been a “Fan” of (pardon the pun) is the perceived politics that come with “Friending”.

Flashbacks of High School popularity and posturing enter the online world of relationships.  <Insert self-doubt here>.

Should I reach out to someone I may have “sort of” known in my “former life”? Will they remember me? Will they just ignore my request? Should I ignore their request? Why are they connected with so-and-so and not with me?

And now, as businesses begin to emerge on Facebook and business connections are now becoming online “friends” where do we draw the line as to who to “friend” and who to “ignore”?

Is it possible to “friend” someone without allowing them access to all your personal files?

Yes.

Simply create a list of people you wish to have limited access to all your information. (i.e. Business only).

1) Click on your “Friends” link.  In the top right hand side is the “Create a List” link.

2) Add the business connections, (and anyone else you’d like to give limited access to)  into that list.

3) Click on the links for your Privacy Settings > Profile Information area and in the drop down menu for each area (i.e. Photos, and/or Status) you want to keep private, choose “Custom”.

4) Choose “Only Friends” EXCEPT “Business Only” Group List.

And voila! You’re free to “Friend” at will.

Keep me posted how well this works for you or if you require any assistance setting it up.

Leslie: leslie@punchmedia.ca

P.S. You can also preview your profile using a specific business connection’s name to do some Quality Assurance.

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Facebook List and Privacy

Facebook Lists and Privacy Settings

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Posted in Facebook Tips

About Leslie Hughes

Leslie Hughes is a LinkedIn Optimization Specialist, LinkedIn Top Voice, and Corporate Trainer with over 25 years of experience in digital marketing and LinkedIn profile writing. As the Principal of PUNCH!media and author of "CREATE. CONNECT. CONVERT," Leslie helps executives and professionals optimize their LinkedIn profiles, generate leads, and attract higher-paying clients. Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice—an exclusive honor from LinkedIn—Leslie is a trusted authority on LinkedIn profile optimization, AI-driven marketing strategies, and digital identity management. Her expertise has been featured on CBC Radio, where she was called a "Social Media Guru," and on CTV’s "The Social," where she shared strategies for managing digital identity. Leslie empowers professionals to leverage generative AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance marketing strategies, boost efficiency, and create impactful content that converts. She helps businesses understand how to use LinkedIn for lead generation and how AI can revolutionize their digital marketing efforts. Leslie has worked with top organizations like Investment Planning Counsel, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, JLL, and Franklin Templeton, optimizing LinkedIn profiles and providing corporate training that delivers measurable results. Leslie is a former college professor and co-lead instructor for Ontario Tech University’s Social Media Marketing and Digital Management Certificate. Whether you need a LinkedIn profile writer, corporate trainer, or AI marketing specialist, Leslie Hughes can help you elevate your digital presence and transform your marketing strategy. Ready to take your LinkedIn profile and corporate training to the next level? Learn more at www.punchmedia.ca.

5 Comments

  1. Privacy on Facebook: be sure to check your settings! « PUNCHmedia – social media and public relations on May 12, 2010 at 11:15 am

    […] If you only want SOME of your friends to see this information (i.e. keeping business friends separate from personal friends), then be sure to segment your Friends into lists and set your privacy options to “Custom”. If you haven’t done this yet, there is a brief tutorial on the PUNCH!media blog here: […]



  2. Michael Bernardo on May 12, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    Thanks for the tip. However, I think I’m going blind. I just created my “Business Only” list and added people to it. How do I display this list now?



    • punchmedia on May 12, 2010 at 9:33 pm

      Hi Michael,

      You should see the list itself beneath your “Friends” link in the left hand navigation bar.

      To change the settings to OMIT them from your status updates, photos etc.

      1. Go to the “Privacy Settings”
      2. Click on the appropriate link (i.e Personal Information and Posts)
      3. Click on “Posts by Me”
      4. Click on the drop-down menu for Custom
      It will say, make this visible to these people. (I have “Only Friends”).
      5. In the “Hide from” field, once you begin typing the name of your Business List, it should appear by default.
      6. Save your setting and then repeat for every area you want to separate business from personal.

      Let me know how it goes, Michael!



  3. Is (n)Etiquette dead? The “Good Manners” Guide for Business. « PUNCHmedia – social media and public relations on June 14, 2010 at 9:15 am

    […] up lists to keep my personal comments and information separate from my professional connections (click here for the tutorial). I keep this content separate because I don’t think my business connections are interested […]



  4. New changes to Facebook Privacy Settings *finally*! « PUNCHmedia – social media and public relations on August 27, 2011 at 9:36 am

    […] There are also ways to separate your business friends so they don’t see all your personal information (covered here) […]