- What this content isn't available right now on Facebook means
- Where you'll see the message and why links stop working
- What to try first when Facebook says content isn't available
- How to tell if a Facebook post was deleted or hidden from you
- If you own the post: check who can see it
- What changes when a link works for you but not for someone else
- When Facebook's content isn't available message points to a bigger problem
- When to stop and contact Facebook about unavailable content
- Frequently asked questions
This content isn't available right now on Facebook usually means the owner shared it with only a small group, changed who can see it, or deleted it. Facebook's help doesn't name a fault on your side. Try going back, refreshing and updating the app first, and if it's your own post, check its audience.
You tap a link, a post or a photo and Facebook answers with a short message instead: this content isn't available right now. It's frustrating, because it never says which of several things has happened. I've read what Facebook's own help pages say about it, and the short version is that most of the time it's down to who the owner chose to share it with, or it's been removed. Here's how to tell the difference, what to try in order, and what to do if it's your own post that people can't open.
What this content isn't available right now on Facebook means
The wording Facebook shows depends on the version. On the page I read, the message says that this content isn't available at the moment, and gives the explanation: when this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people or changed who can see it, or it's been deleted. Underneath there were three buttons: Go to Feed, Go back and Visit Help Centre.
So there are three official reasons, and none of them is a fault on your side:
- The owner shared it with only a small group of people, and you're not in that group.
- The owner changed who can see it after it was shared, so a link that used to work now doesn't.
- It's been deleted.
Where you'll see the message and why links stop working
You'll usually meet this when you tap a link someone sent you, follow a link from a Page, open an old notification or return to something you saw earlier. In every case Facebook is checking, at that moment, whether you're allowed to see the content. If the owner has tightened the audience since the link was shared, the same link stops working for you even though it worked for the person who sent it.
That's why a friend can say it's definitely there while you see the error. They may be in the audience and you aren't.
What to try first when Facebook says content isn't available
- Tap Go back and try again, or return to your Feed and search for the post or the person.
- Refresh the page or close and reopen the app. Facebook's troubleshooting article lists these first.
- Check your connection. Facebook's article suggests making sure you're on a reliable data or Wi-Fi network.
- Update the Facebook app, then try the link again.
- On a computer, try another browser, for example Firefox if you're on Chrome. Clearing your cache is another step the help article lists.
- Ask whoever sent the link whether they can still see it, and whether they can send you a fresh one.
The troubleshooting article also says something might not load because of settings you or someone else set up. That fits this message, because audience is a setting someone else controls.
How to tell if a Facebook post was deleted or hidden from you
There's no official way for you to see why. Facebook's message lists the owner sharing it with a small group, changing who can see it, or deleting it, and it doesn't say which. Here are the signs I'd weigh up:
- If other people can see it and you can't, the audience probably doesn't include you.
- If nobody can see it, including the person who shared it, it has likely been deleted.
- If you lose access to a whole profile or Page rather than one post, check whether you can still find it by searching for its name.
If you suspect you've been blocked, don't take the error as proof. Facebook doesn't say that this message means a block. My guide to blocking someone on Facebook explains what a block does from the other side.
If you own the post: check who can see it
This is the part that helps Page admins and small-business owners most. If a customer or colleague says your post isn't available, the first thing to check is the audience you chose. Facebook's help article on changing the audience of a post says you can use the audience selector to change who can see things you share on your timeline after you've shared them. On iPhone it says to:
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- Tap Menu in the top left of Facebook, then tap your name.
- Scroll down to the post you want to edit.
- Tap Options in the top right of the post and select Edit privacy.
- Select a new audience from the options that appear, such as Public, Friends or Only Me, then tap Done.
Menus vary by app version and by device. The same article also says that when you share something on someone else's timeline, they control the audience for the post. If you ever send people a link to something on your personal profile, make sure the audience is what you intended before you share it. For Page posts, the audience works differently from a profile, so I won't give steps that the help article doesn't cover.
What changes when a link works for you but not for someone else
| What you see | Most likely explanation, based on Facebook's help |
|---|---|
| Works for you, not for your friend | The audience doesn't include them |
| Worked yesterday, not today | The owner changed who can see it, or deleted it |
| Fails for everyone | It may have been deleted |
| Other things on Facebook also won't load | Likely a connection or app problem, not this message |
When Facebook's content isn't available message points to a bigger problem
If lots of different things won't load, you're probably not looking at an audience setting but at a connection or app problem. I've written about that in my guide to the Facebook something went wrong error, and my guide to Facebook pictures that won't load covers one common version. If you've tried the steps above and everything but one link works, accept that the owner has probably restricted or removed it.
When to stop and contact Facebook about unavailable content
Facebook's troubleshooting article says that if you're still having a problem after the usual steps, it could be a bug or broken feature, and you can report it. On iPhone or Android, shake your phone and follow the on-screen instructions. On a computer or iPad, go to Help and support and select Report a problem. In a mobile browser, tap Report a problem. If it's only one piece of content that's gone, there's usually nothing to report. It's been restricted or removed, and that's the owner's decision.
Frequently asked questions
What does this content isn't available right now mean on Facebook?
Facebook's help says it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people or changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.
Does this message mean someone blocked me?
Facebook's help doesn't say that. The message lists sharing with a small group, a change of audience or deletion as the usual reasons, so I wouldn't assume a block.
Why does a link work for my friend but not for me?
Most likely the post's audience doesn't include you. The owner may also have changed who can see it after sharing.
How do I fix it if it's my own post?
Check the audience. Facebook's help says you can use the audience selector to change who can see things you've shared on your timeline, through Options and Edit privacy on a post.
Should I report this to Facebook?
Only if lots of things won't load. Facebook's troubleshooting article says you can report a bug or broken feature through Help and support or by shaking your phone.
