Facebook adds Reddit-style nicknames to Groups as it loosens its real-name rules
The update brings forum-like identity controls to Facebook Groups, giving users a way to participate more openly without exposing their full profiles.
Facebook is giving its Groups a Reddit-style twist with the rollout of nicknames, a feature that lets users post under a custom username instead of their real one. Unlike fully anonymous posts, nicknames allow you to maintain a recognizable identity while keeping your main profile hidden from the wider group, offering a middle ground between full transparency and privacy.
Meta says the feature is especially useful in groups where members want privacy but still want to participate actively and build a presence. It also represents a departure from Facebook’s long-standing “real name” policy, which has historically required users to show up on the platform with the name they use in real life.
The policy worked when Facebook was mainly about connecting with friends and family, but expanding into larger communities with strangers made more flexible identity options necessary.
You can customize your nickname, choose an associated profile picture and background colour, and post, comment, and react under that identity in approved groups. Posts under nicknames remain visible to admins, moderators, and Facebook itself, and users can view a complete post history tied to a nickname within a group.
While nicknames can be changed once every two days, this update doesn't detach past activity from the user—any post or comment previously made under a nickname will update to reflect the new one. Some limitations apply as users with nicknames cannot access features like Live Video, private messaging, or content sharing. Admin approval is required for the feature in each group, and the option can be turned off at any time to revert to a real-name identity.
With this update, Facebook Groups are moving closer to the functionality of forums like Reddit and Discord, enabling communities to grow more freely while giving users control over how they are represented in larger, often more public group settings.
The takeaway
Nicknames in Facebook Groups strike a balance between anonymity and identity, letting users engage more freely in communities without exposing their real-life profile. By borrowing from forum-style platforms, Meta is positioning Groups as a more flexible social space, one that could help retain users who want privacy while still encouraging active participation.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
