Why You’re Not Seeing Friends’ Posts on Facebook
Learn why Facebook hides friends’ posts and how to adjust News Feed settings, lists, and engagement habits to see more updates from them.
Why You’re Not Seeing Friends’ Posts on Facebook
If you’ve been scrolling and wondering “Why don't I see friends' posts on Facebook anymore?”, you’re not alone. Many users find that updates from certain friends seem to vanish from the News Feed, leaving them unsure whether those friends have stopped posting or if the platform is simply not surfacing their content.
In this updated guide, we’ll cover how Facebook’s algorithm works, the role of News Feed settings, privacy factors, and proven tips to make sure your friends’ posts show up more often.
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Understanding How the Facebook Algorithm Decides What You See
Facebook no longer serves posts in a strictly chronological order by default. Instead, it employs a complex ranking algorithm that prioritizes updates based on:
- Your past interactions with a person or page
- The type of content you typically engage with (photos, videos, links)
- The timeliness and freshness of a post
- Predictions about what will be most relevant to you
The aim is to keep you engaged by delivering what the system believes are the “best” posts — but this can mean missing posts from friends with whom you interact less often.
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Difference Between ‘Friends’, ‘Favorites’, and ‘Acquaintances’ Lists
Facebook’s friend lists also influence visibility in your feed.
| List Type | Description | Impact on News Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Friends | The default category for everyone you add | Algorithm displays posts based on interaction frequency |
| Favorites | Manually curated list of up to 30 friends/pages | Posts from these are actively prioritized in your feed |
| Acquaintances | Friends whose updates you want to see less frequently | Posts are deprioritized and may appear rarely unless engaged with |
Pro tip: Adding friends to Favorites tells Facebook to show their posts first.
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Check Whether You’ve Unfollowed or Snoozed Friends
You can remain connected while still unfollowing someone. This hides their posts from your feed without removing them as a friend. Similarly, the Snooze feature hides updates for 30 days.
To verify:
- Visit your friend’s profile.
- Click or tap “Following”.
- Ensure it’s set to “Default” rather than “Unfollowed”.
- End Snooze early if enabled.
These quick checks often explain sudden drop-offs in visibility.
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Review and Optimize News Feed Preferences
Facebook’s News Feed Preferences gives you more direct control.
On Desktop:
- Click the down arrow > Settings & Privacy > News Feed Preferences
On Mobile:
- Tap menu (☰) > Settings & Privacy > Settings > News Feed
You can:
- Prioritize who to see first
- Reconnect with unfollowed friends
- Discover new Pages relevant to your interests
By routinely updating this section and curating Favorites, you ensure important contacts stay visible.
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How Your Engagement Shapes Future Visibility
Interaction is critical. Facebook’s algorithm leans heavily on engagement history. If you seldom:
- Like posts
- Comment
- React with emojis
- Share content
...your “connection score” with that friend drops, making their posts less likely to surface.
Action step: Visit friends’ profiles and interact consistently to signal ongoing interest.
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Check Friends’ Privacy Settings
Sometimes, you can’t see posts because of a friend’s privacy controls. They may:
- Exclude you via “Friends Except…”
- Limit posts to a custom list
- Alternate between public and restricted visibility
While you can’t change their settings, you can check their profile directly for missed updates, or ask if they are limiting visibility.
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Use “Most Recent” to Temporarily Bypass the Algorithm
Default “Top Stories” mode is algorithmled. Switching to Most Recent orders posts chronologically so you see what has just been published.
How to switch:
- Desktop: Home > Feeds > Most Recent
- Mobile: Feeds tab > Most Recent
This toggle is useful for catching all current updates.
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Recover Hidden Posts
If you’ve accidentally hidden updates:
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Activity Log
- Filter by Hidden from timeline
- Unhide posts you want restored
This undo step can quickly bring back previously removed content.
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Fix Feed Issues by Updating and Clearing Cache
Sometimes glitches — not settings — are responsible.
On Mobile:
- Update the Facebook app
- Clear cache (Android: Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage & cache > Clear cache)
On Desktop:
- Clear browser cache and cookies
- Log out and log in again
Refreshing the app environment often resolves missing post issues.
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Ongoing Strategies to See More of the Posts You Care About
Maintain a tailored feed by:
- Visiting key friends’ profiles regularly
- Adding important contacts to Favorites
- Engaging consistently with their content
- Reviewing your preferences monthly
- Switching view modes periodically
- Joining common groups to boost mutual content
- Sharing and tagging for reciprocal engagement
These habits send consistent positive signals to Facebook’s algorithm.
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Summary and Next Steps
The answer to “Why don’t I see friends’ posts on Facebook?” lies in a combination of algorithmic ranking, personal list settings, privacy filters, and occasional technical hiccups. By adjusting News Feed preferences, leveraging Favorites, engaging actively, and maintaining your app’s functionality, you can take control and see more of the updates that matter most.
Start today: Choose a few friends, add them to Favorites, and engage with their recent posts to reset your feed in your favor.
