How to Unpublish a Facebook Page

Thinking about taking your Facebook Page offline for a bit? You're in the right place. Whether you're rebranding, taking a well-deserved break, or just need to pause your public presence, unpublishing your Page is the perfect temporary solution. This guide will walk you through exactly how to unpublish your Facebook Page, explain what that means for your audience, and show you how to bring it back online whenever you’re ready.

Why Unpublish a Facebook Page Instead of Deleting It?

Before we get into the step-by-step process, it’s important to understand the difference between unpublishing and deleting. Think of it like this: unpublishing your Page is like flipping the "closed" sign on your shop door. The store is still there, fully stocked and ready to go, but customers can't come inside. Deleting your Page is like demolishing the entire building - it’s permanent and irreversible.

Unpublishing is a temporary, reversible action. When your Page is unpublished, it is hidden from public view. No one can find it via search or a direct link except for the people who manage the Page (like admins and editors). All of your content, followers, messages, and settings are saved exactly as you left them, waiting for you to flip the "open" sign back on. Deleting, on the other hand, kicks off a 30-day countdown to permanent removal. After that window, your page, its content, insights, and follower list are gone for good.

Common Reasons to Unpublish a Page:

• Rebranding or Relaunching: If you're overhauling your brand, you might want to hide the Page while you update the name, cover photo, profile picture, and "About" section. You can work behind the scenes and then republish a completely refreshed Page.
• Taking a Break: Whether it's for a personal leave, a business pivot, or just to step away from social media, unpublishing lets you pause your public presence without losing your hard-earned audience.
• Content Overhaul: If you need to perform a major content audit - deleting old posts, planning a new strategy, or updating information - doing it on an unpublished page prevents public visitors from seeing the work-in-progress.
• Crisis Management: In the event of a PR issue, some brands choose to temporarily unpublish their page to control the conversation and prevent negative engagement while they formulate a response.
• Business Seasonality: If your business only operates during certain times of the year, you might choose to unpublish your Page during the off-season.

Your Pre-Flight Checklist: 3 Things to Do Before Unpublishing

Taking a page offline is simple, but a little preparation can make the process smoother, especially for your audience. Here are a few things to consider before you hit the unpublish button.

1. Inform Your Audience (If Appropriate)

If you have an active community, letting them know about your break is a good practice. A simple “Hey everyone, we’re taking a short break to work on some exciting new things! We’ll be back soon.” can prevent confusion and show your audience that you value them. This isn't necessary for every situation, especially if your goal is a quiet rebrand, but it helps manage community expectations for active pages.

2. Review Admin Roles

Double-check who has admin or editor access to your Page. Only these roles can see and manage an unpublished Page. Make sure the right people have the right permissions to either work on the Page while it's offline or to bring it back online later.

3. Plan for Your Return

What’s the goal of unpublishing? Define it. If you’re rebranding, what steps need to be completed before you go live again? If it’s a content overhaul, what does your new content calendar look like? Having a plan for republishing will help you stay focused and make the most of your time offline.

How to Unpublish a Facebook Page: The Step-by-Step Guide

Facebook has moved most Page management functions into the Meta Business Suite, but you can typically access the settings from your Page directly. The interface changes occasionally, but the core steps remain the same. Here's how to do it on a desktop, which is the most reliable way to manage Page settings.

Step 1: Navigate to Your Page Settings

First, make sure you are logged into the Facebook profile that has admin access to the Page you want to unpublish. Then, navigate to your Page.

• From your news feed, click on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
• In the menu that appears, select the Page you wish to manage under the "Your Profiles" section. This will switch your view so you are "acting" as your Page.
• Once you are on your Page’s feed, click on your Page's profile picture in the top right again, and then select Settings & privacy, followed by Settings.

Step 2: Access Privacy Settings

In the left-hand navigation menu of the "Settings" page, you'll see a list of options. Click on Privacy.

Step 3: Find the Facebook Page Information Section

Within the Privacy section, there will be multiple options. Click on Facebook Page Information to expand it. This is where you can control the core functions of your page, including visibility.

Step 4: Deactivate Your Page (This includes unpublishing!)

Here’s where it can get a little confusing. Facebook has combined the options for unpublishing and deleting into one area. At the very bottom of the Facebook Page Information list, you will see a section titled Deactivation and deletion. Click the View button on the right.

Step 5: Select "Deactivate Page" (The official term for unpublishing)

A new screen will appear giving you two choices: "Deactivate Page" or "Delete Page."

This is the most important step. Be sure to select Deactivate Page.

Facebook's description clarifies exactly what this does: "Deactivating your Page can be temporary. Your Page will be disabled and your name and photos will be removed from most things that you've shared. You'll be able to reactivate it later."

This is Facebook's current term for unpublishing your page. Click Continue, and you'll be prompted to enter your password to confirm the action.

Congratulations! Your Page is now unpublished and hidden from the public. Only page admins can see it.

What Happens After Your Page is Unpublished?

So, you’ve hit the button. What now? Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:

• It's Invisible to the Public: Your Page will not appear in Facebook search results. Anyone trying to visit your Page via a direct URL will see an error message stating the content is unavailable.
• Admin Access Remains: You and any other admins or editors can still view the Page, access all the content, view analytics, and make changes. You can use this time to edit your Page details, add new content, or prepare for your relaunch.
• Your Username is Safe: Your custom URL (e.g., facebook.com/YourBusinessName) is reserved for you. No one can claim it while your Page is unpublished.
• Followers Are Preserved: You will not lose any of your followers. When you republish your Page, everyone who previously liked or followed it will still be there.
• Scheduled Posts are Paused: Any posts you had scheduled to go live while the page is unpublished will be saved as drafts and will not be published.

Ready to Go Live Again? Here’s How to Republish Your Page

When you’re ready to bring your Page back online, the process is even simpler. Since you "deactivated" it, all you have to do is reactivate it.

1. Navigate back to your Page settings using the same steps as before: Settings & privacy > Settings > Privacy > Facebook Page Information.
2. Next to your page name at the top, you should see a prompt to reactivate your page.
3. Simply follow the prompts to confirm you want to make your page public again.

Another easy way is simply by logging back into your account that owns the page. You will often see a prompt or notification about your deactivated page with a button to reactivate.

Once you click the reactivation button, your Page will instantly become public again. All your followers, content, and information will be restored just as you left it.

Answering Your Top Questions: Unpublishing FAQs

How long can a Facebook page remain unpublished?

Indefinitely. There is no time limit. You can leave it unpublished for as long as you need and republish it whenever you are ready.

Will I get notifications if my page is unpublished?

No. Since the page is not accessible to the public, public engagement (new comments, shares, etc.) will not occur. However, you will still retain your old messages and can reply to them if you wish.

Unpublish vs. Restrict an Audience: What's the difference?

In your Page settings, you also have the option to add "Country Restrictions" or "Age Restrictions." This is different from unpublishing. Restrictions keep your page public but limit its visibility to specific demographics. Unpublishing hides the page from everyone who isn't an admin.

Final Thoughts

Whether you need to pause for a rebrand, take a break from content creation, or just rework your strategy, unpublishing your Facebook Page is a powerful yet simple tool. It gives you the flexibility to work behind the scenes without the finality of deleting your Page and losing the community you've worked so hard to build.

And when you're ready to relaunch, going in with a solid content plan makes all the difference. We find that loading up a visual content calendar allows you to come back with a bang, guaranteeing a consistent stream of new content the moment your page goes live. With a tool designed for modern social media, like Postbase, you can schedule all of your relaunch content - including Reels, videos, and Stories - across all your platforms in advance. It lets you get everything right behind the scenes, so you can focus on re-engaging your audience from day one.