How to Forward a Facebook Post

Ever find a Facebook post so good you want to send it directly to a friend, share it with a specific group, or save it for your own feed? While Facebook doesn't have a big Forward button like your email inbox, its Share function is incredibly powerful and offers multiple ways to get that content exactly where you want it. This guide covers everything you need to know about forwarding posts, from sharing them publicly on your timeline to sending them privately in Messenger and even moving them off Facebook entirely.

Understanding Your Sharing Options on Facebook

Before we jump into the step-by-step instructions, it's helpful to understand what "forwarding" means in the context of Facebook. The "Share" button is your universal tool for this. When you click it, you're not just re-posting something, you're choosing a destination for that content. Your main options are:

• Sharing to your feed: The most common option. This publishes the post to your own timeline for your friends and followers to see.
• Sending in Messenger: The truest form of "forwarding." This sends the post as a private message to an individual or a group chat.
• Sharing to a Group: This lets you post the content directly into a Facebook Group you're a member of, making it a great way to share relevant information with a specific community.
• Sharing to a Page: If you manage a Facebook Page, you can share a post directly to your Page's feed.
• Sharing to a friend's profile: This posts on another person's timeline (if their privacy settings allow this).
• Copying the link: This gives you a direct link to the post, which you can then paste and share anywhere you want - in an email, a text message, a Slack channel, or another social media platform.

One critical thing to remember: You can only share posts that are public. If a post was created by someone with a private profile or shared in a private group, a "Share" button won't be available, or your options will be severely limited. Facebook's privacy settings always take precedence.

How to Forward a Post to Your Feed (The Classic Share)

This is the most straightforward way to show a post to your network. It's perfect for when you find a news article, a funny video, or an inspiring quote that you think your friends and followers will appreciate.

On Desktop:

1. Navigate to the post you want to share.
2. Below the post, click the Share button (it looks like a curved arrow).
3. A menu will appear. Select Share to Feed.
4. A new window will pop up where you can add your own text, tag friends, or add a feeling/activity. This is your chance to add context!
5. Use the audience selector at the top (it might say "Friends" or "Public") to control who sees the shared post.
6. Click the blue Post button to finish.

On Mobile (iOS and Android):

1. Find the post you'd like to forward.
2. Tap the Share button at the bottom right of the post.
3. In the menu that appears at the bottom of the screen, tap Share to your feed (or a similar prompt).
4. You'll be taken to a new screen where you can write an accompanying caption. Add your thoughts or tag someone.
5. Adjust the privacy setting at the top (Public, Friends, etc.) as needed.
6. Tap Post in the top-right corner.

Pro-Tip for Building Engagement: Never share something without adding your own commentary. Even a simple sentence like, "This is such a great breakdown of what's happening" or "I couldn't stop laughing at this" tells your audience why you're sharing it. Raw shares can feel impersonal, adding your voice gives your followers a reason to engage with the content.

How to Forward a Post Privately via Facebook Messenger

Sometimes you don't want to broadcast a post to your entire network. You just want to send a specific meme to your best friend or an interesting article to a colleague. Using Messenger is the Facebook equivalent of a private forward.

On Desktop:

1. Locate the post you wish to send.
2. Click the Share button.
3. From the dropdown menu, select Send in Messenger.
4. A list of your recent contacts will appear. You can type in the name of the person or group you want to send it to.
5. You can add an optional message to go along with the post.
6. Click the Send button next to each recipient's name.

On Mobile (iOS and Android):

1. Find the post and tap the Share button.
2. From the menu that slides up, tap Send in Messenger.
3. Your Messenger contact list will appear. Search for or select the person or group you want to send the post to.
4. Tap the Send button next to their name. You can send it to multiple people by tapping "Send" for each one.

This method is perfect for targeted communication. Instead of cluttering your feed, you're delivering relevant content directly to the people who will find it most valuable or entertaining.

How to Forward a Post to a Facebook Group

Sharing content to a Facebook Group is an excellent way to contribute to a community, start a discussion, or provide value. If you're a member of a hobby group, a professional network, or a local community page, this is a great way to share relevant finds.

On both Desktop and Mobile:

1. Click or tap the Share button on the post.
2. From the sharing menu, select Share to a group.
3. A new window or screen will appear. Start typing the name of the group you want to post in, and select it from the list that appears.
4. Just like a regular post, you can add your own caption or commentary to start a conversation.
5. Click or tap Post to share it with the group.

A Quick Word of Advice: Always check the group's rules before sharing. Some groups have strict guidelines about what kind of content can be shared or whether promotional material is allowed. Sharing high-quality, relevant content that aligns with the group's purpose is a fantastic way to establish yourself as a helpful member of the community.

Advanced Forwarding: Using "Copy Link" to Share Anywhere

What if you want to forward a Facebook post to someone who isn't on Facebook? Or share it in a blog post, a tweet, or a company Slack channel? This is where the "Copy Link" feature becomes your best friend.

This option gives you the direct URL of the specific post. The process is simple:

1. Click or tap the Share button on the desired post.
2. In the menu of options, look for Copy link. On mobile, you may need to scroll through the app icons or look for a "More options" prompt to find it.
3. Once you click it, the post's URL is copied to your clipboard.
4. Now, you can paste that link anywhere you want: in an email, a text message, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), your blog, or a work messaging app.

When someone clicks the link, they'll be taken directly to the Facebook post (provided it's a public post). This is the ultimate "forwarding" tool because it breaks the boundaries of the Facebook platform, allowing you to move content freely across the web.

Final Thoughts

While Facebook might not have a simple "Forward" button, its "Share" menu provides a powerful and flexible set of tools for sending content exactly where it needs to go. Whether you're sharing an interesting article with your professional network in a group, sending a funny video to a friend via Messenger, or placing a direct link in your company newsletter, understanding these options helps you communicate more effectively and strategically.

Once you nail the art of sharing great finds, you realize how much of a solid social media strategy is about planning and consistency. At my company, we actually streamlined this process because we felt the chaos ourselves. That's why we built Postbase, a social media management tool made for today's creator. It has a beautiful visual calendar to help you plan your content - both original posts and curated shares - across all your major platforms without the headache. It helps you schedule everything ahead of time so you can deliver consistent value to your audience without the last-minute scramble.