What does the "allow indexing" tab mean on facebook?
Asked by
Judi (
40025
)
December 15th, 2009
a friend posted the following on her status:
As of today, Facebook will automatically index all your info on Google, which allows everyone to view it. To change this option, go to Settings—> Privacy Settings—> Search—> then UN-CLICK the box that says ‘Allow indexing’. Facebook kept this one quiet. Copy and paste onto your status for all your friends ASAP.
I re posted it (without any research, I always look stupid when I do that, what was I thinking?)
Another friend said it was an urban legend, that she “checked it out,” but didn’t give me any link.
So what does it do when I check or uncheck that box?
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11 Answers
it means if you dont get rid of that tick everybody in the whole world will be able to see what you got!
It means when indexing is allowed, that people could search your name in google for example, and your facebook page will come up. Unclick the box to make it so that doesn’t happen.
They’re putting everything on to Google. Uncheck that box for your own privacy.
Your friend who thinks it is a legend is incorrect.
“Worried about search engines? Your information is safe.
There have been misleading rumors recently about Facebook indexing all your information on Google. This is not true. Facebook created public search listings in 2007 to enable people to search for your name and see a link to your Facebook profile. They will still only see a basic set of information.”
Copied off of the Facebook website.
They only see what they would be able to find through the normal facebook search.
LocoLuke is right. If they search your name, they’ll be able to find your page… but everything set to private will not be viewable. They’ll only be able to see what you have set to public.
@stemnyjones that makes sense. I hope it’s so. Too much info on us all is out there in cyberspace as it is!
It is so. Just tried it on myself, it only shows a few of my friends, networks / groups, and nothing else. If that’s too much for comfort, you can always change your settings to not even show those. I wouldn’t entirely disable it though, because it’s useful for people who want to find your fb and add you as a friend =)
“Worried about search engines? Your information is safe.
There have been misleading rumors recently about Facebook indexing all your information on Google. This is not true. Facebook created public search listings in 2007 to enable people to search for your name and see a link to your Facebook profile. They will still only see a basic set of information.”
From the pop up when you click the Search box in the privacy settings.
….oh well done, Itty. Next time, try reading the whole thread. Sorry @LocoLuke for duplicating your response.
@MrItty LOL…that’s okay. Thanks to you guys, personally, I feel better about the whole thing.
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