Facebook now lets you use nicknames in groups—taking a cue from Reddit
Facebook is shaking things up by letting you post in Groups using custom nicknames and profile avatars.
It's a big shift from the usual real-name rules, aiming to make participation in Groups more comfortable and private—especially for those who want to share without revealing their identity.
Group admins have the power to turn this feature on or off.
How it works
You can switch between your real name and a nickname when posting, picking from preset avatars.
Nicknames must follow Facebook's rules and can only be changed every two days—plus, any update changes your name on past posts too.
What's different—and what's limited
If you use a nickname, some features like Live Video and private messaging are off-limits.
Admins can still see who you really are behind the scenes, and they decide if nicknames are allowed in their group.
How does it stack up against Reddit or Discord?
Unlike Reddit usernames that work everywhere or Discord's flexible nicknames, Facebook nicknames only work within each Group and offer less customization.
Still, it's a step toward making Facebook feel more like an open forum—just with its own twist on privacy.