How to Determine if Someone is Hiding a Story on Facebook

Introduction
Facebook stories have become a popular way for users to share their daily moments with friends and followers. However, there may be times when someone decides to hide their story from you. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or acquaintance, you might be curious about why they are keeping their story private from you. In this article, we will explore different methods to help you determine if someone is hiding a story on Facebook.
Table of Contents
- Method 1: Sign up for a dummy Facebook account
- Method 2: Check their story posting frequency
- Method 3: Ask a mutual friend
- Method 4: See if you’re blocked
- Method 5: Be upfront about it
- Conclusion
Method 1: Sign up for a dummy Facebook account
One way to determine if someone is hiding a story on Facebook is to create a dummy Facebook account. By signing up for a new account, you can check if the person has hidden their stories from you. However, it’s crucial to keep your account details fake to avoid getting caught. Use a fake profile picture and avoid sharing your real phone number or email address. This method works if the target user’s story is public or if they accept your friend request. If you can’t tick either of these boxes, it will be challenging to view their story.
Method 2: Check their story posting frequency
If you suspect that someone is hiding their story from you, pay attention to their story posting frequency. Have they suddenly stopped posting stories after flooding their story area with content? A sudden decrease in story activity might indicate that you’re not allowed to see their stories. However, it’s best to gather further confirmation before jumping to conclusions. Take note of how frequently they used to post stories and if there has been a significant change.
Method 3: Ask a mutual friend
Having mutual friends on Facebook can be advantageous in situations like this. If you share friends with the person you suspect is hiding their story, you can ask your mutual friend if they have access to the target user’s account’s stories. If your friend confirms that they can see the stories while you cannot, it’s a clear indication that you’ve been excluded. To view the story, you can ask your mutual friend to send it to you via a message.
Method 4: See if you’re blocked
Being blocked by someone on Facebook can prevent you from viewing their story. Although Facebook doesn’t notify you when someone blocks you, there are certain signs that suggest you’ve been blocked. Here are some indicators to look out for:
Sign 1: You can no longer view their profile on Facebook
If you suspect that you’ve been blocked, try searching for the target user’s profile using the platform’s native search bar. If their profile doesn’t show up in the search results, even after scrolling down, it could mean that you’ve been blocked. However, it’s essential to verify this with other common Facebook users, as people may also delete their accounts, which could be mistakenly interpreted as a block.
Sign 2: You cannot invite them to Facebook groups
Facebook groups are a way to organize conversations and bring friends together. If you’re the creator of a Facebook group, you can invite members to join. However, if someone has blocked you, you won’t be able to send them an invitation. To confirm if you’ve been blocked, try asking the person you suspect to verify if they can receive an invite. If they confirm that they cannot, it’s a strong indication that you’ve been blocked.
Sign 3: Check a mutual friend’s profile
Another way to determine if you’ve been blocked is to check a mutual friend’s profile. Select the “see all” option on their profile to view their friend list. If the person you suspect is blocking you is not included in their friend list, it could mean that you’ve been blocked. However, if you can still view their profile, it’s likely that you haven’t been blocked, but there may be other reasons why you can’t see their story.
Sign 4: You cannot tag them or send them a message
Tagging each other in posts is a common practice on social media platforms like Facebook. However, if someone has blocked you, you won’t be able to tag them in posts or send them a message. To confirm if you’ve been blocked, try tagging the person in a post. If you can’t tag them, it’s a strong indication that you’ve been blocked. Additionally, attempting to send them a message will also be unsuccessful if you’ve been blocked.
Method 5: Be upfront about it
If you’ve tried all the methods mentioned above and still can’t determine if someone is hiding their story from you, the most straightforward approach is to directly ask them. Open up the chat box and scroll to your conversation thread with the person in question. Start a conversation about unrelated topics before bringing up the issue. Politely ask them why they excluded you from their story. Keep in mind that they may choose not to respond, and in such cases, it’s best to respect their decision.
Conclusion
Determining if someone is hiding a story on Facebook can be challenging, as the platform doesn’t have a specific feature to alert you of such actions. However, by using methods like signing up for a dummy account, checking story posting frequency, asking mutual friends, and looking for signs of being blocked, you can gather clues to help you understand if someone is intentionally hiding their story from you. Remember to approach the situation with respect and consider the privacy choices of others.