Facebook notes are short updates of up to 60 characters that sit at the top of your profile photo. To post one in the Facebook app, tap Menu, tap your name, tap Note at the top of your profile photo, type your note, choose who can see it and tap Share. Notes made on Facebook disappear after 24 hours.
If you've used notes on Instagram or Messenger, this is the same idea on Facebook: a line of text that floats above your profile picture and invites a quick reply. Think of it as a status update in miniature, with replies that come back to you privately.
Here's how Facebook's help centre says it works, where your note shows up and how to change or remove it.
How to post a note on Facebook
- Tap Menu in the top left of Facebook.
- Tap your name to go to your profile.
- At the top of your profile photo, tap Note.
- Tap Share a thought and type your note, up to 60 characters.
- To change who can see it, tap Change at the bottom, pick an audience and tap Save.
- Tap Share.
Facebook's help page lists the feature for the Android, iPhone and iPad apps, and warns it may not be available in your location. If you don't see Note above your profile photo, that's probably why.
Who can see your Facebook note
| Audience | Who sees it |
|---|---|
| Public | Anyone on Facebook and your Messenger connections |
| Friends and connections | Your Facebook friends and Messenger connections |
| Friends | Only your Facebook friends |
| Custom | People you choose |
Choose before you share, especially on a profile you also use for work. A note set to Public reaches people well beyond your friends list.
Where your note appears
Facebook says your note shows in the same places as your Facebook story, and next to your profile picture at the top of your Chats list in Messenger. That second spot is the one people miss: anyone who messages you may see your note before they see your reply.
People who see it can reply. Only you can see who's replied, so replies arrive privately rather than as public comments.
How long a Facebook note lasts
Notes created on Facebook expire after 24 hours, and you can delete one at any time before that. Notes created in Messenger work differently: they expire at the time you set when you post them. Once a note expires, it's no longer visible on Facebook or Messenger. If you want to post from Messenger instead, I've covered how to leave a note on Messenger.
Replace or delete your note
You can only share one note at a time, so posting a new one means replacing the old one.
Replace a note
- Tap Menu, then your name.
- Tap your note at the top of your profile photo.
- Tap Replace note, type the new one (up to 60 characters), set the audience and tap Share.
Delete a note
- Tap Menu, then your name.
- Tap your note at the top of your profile photo.
- Tap Delete note, then Delete.
Notes, stories or posts?
| Format | Best for |
|---|---|
| Note | One line, a quick question or a heads-up, with private replies |
| Story | Photos and short video that people tap through |
| Post | Anything you want to stay on your profile |
Because a note sits where your story does and in Messenger's chat list, it's good for low-effort nudges: you're at an event, you've got a new blog post, you're closed on Friday. Keep it light. Sixty characters isn't room for a sales pitch, and the private replies are where the conversation happens.
A quick checklist before you share
- Check the audience. Public includes your Messenger connections and anyone on Facebook.
- Read it as a stranger would, because it sits at the top of your Messenger chats list.
- Keep it under the 60-character limit without cutting words in half.
- Decide whether you'll answer replies today. Notes invite them, and an unanswered reply feels like a closed door.
If you change your mind, delete it straight away. You don't have to wait for the 24 hours to run out, and replacing it with a better note is just as quick.
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When a note works less well
Notes are short-lived and personal, which makes them a poor home for anything people need to find later. A change to your opening hours, a policy update or an event address belongs in a post you can point back to. Use the note to send people to it, not instead of it. The same goes for anything you'd regret: a note set to Public disappears in a day, but the people who saw it, including everyone in your Messenger list, won't forget it that fast.
Ideas for business owners
- A question your followers can answer in a word.
- A short reminder about an event or deadline.
- A thank-you after a busy week.
- A pointer to something new on your profile.
If you'd rather your personal profile stayed personal, set notes to Friends and check how to make your Facebook profile private while you're there.
My advice
Treat Facebook notes like a sign on your door, not an advert. Pick the audience first, write one useful line, and answer the replies that come in privately. Because it disappears after a day, you can post something small and timely without cluttering your profile, which is exactly why it's worth trying.
Frequently asked questions
What are notes on Facebook?
Short updates of up to 60 characters that appear at the top of your profile photo, where your story appears and in Messenger's Chats list.
How do I post a note on Facebook?
Tap Menu, tap your name, tap Note at the top of your profile photo, type your note and tap Share.
How long does a Facebook note last?
Notes created on Facebook expire after 24 hours. You can delete one before then.
Who can see my Facebook note?
Whoever you choose: Public, Friends and connections, Friends or a Custom list.
Can I see who replied to my Facebook note?
Yes. Facebook says only you can see who's replied to your note.
Why can't I see the note option on Facebook?
Facebook says the feature may not be available in your location, and its help page lists it for the Android, iPhone and iPad apps.
