On Facebook, open Settings & privacy → Settings → Profile and Tagging, then enable Timeline review to approve tags before they show.
If friends tag you in posts, you can stop those posts from landing on your profile until you say yes. The setting that does this is called Timeline review. Below you’ll find quick paths on phone and computer, step-by-step taps, and a few fixes when the switch isn’t where you expect.
Ways To Get To The Timeline Review On Facebook Quickly
You can reach the review switch in a few taps. Pick the route that matches your device and you’ll be there in seconds.
On The Facebook App (iPhone And Android)
- Open the app and log in.
- Tap your profile picture at the top right.
- Tap Settings & privacy → Settings.
- Scroll to Profile and Tagging.
- Under Reviewing, switch on Review posts you’re tagged in before the post appears on your profile?
On A Computer (Web)
- Log in at facebook.com and click your profile picture in the top right.
- Click Settings & privacy → Settings.
- From the left menu, open Profile and Tagging.
- Find Review posts you’re tagged in… and set it to Enabled.
Fast Menu Map
The table below shows the quickest paths. Use it as a cheat sheet when helping a friend or setting up a new phone.
| Platform | Menu Path | Shortcut Tip |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone/Android | Menu → Settings & privacy → Settings → Profile and Tagging → Reviewing | Search inside Settings for “tagging”. |
| Desktop Web | Profile pic → Settings & privacy → Settings → Profile and Tagging | Bookmark the Profile and Tagging page. |
| Activity Log | Menu → Settings & privacy → Activity log | Open Timeline review queue from here. |
What Timeline Review Does
When someone tags you, the post doesn’t appear on your profile until you approve it. The post may still exist on the original poster’s profile or in Feed, but it won’t sit on your own profile page until you add it. You’ll get a notification, and you’ll see pending items in the review queue.
There’s a second switch called tag review. That one controls tags people add to your own posts. For tight control, many people turn on both.
Step-By-Step: Turn It On And Use It
Turn On The Switch
- Open Settings & privacy → Settings → Profile and Tagging.
- Under Reviewing, open Review posts you’re tagged in… and set to Enabled.
- Optionally, enable Review tags people add to your posts? for tags on content you created.
Menu names match Facebook’s own help pages: see the Profile and Tagging settings and the separate tag review option.
Approve Or Hide Tagged Posts
- Open your profile, then tap the three dots and choose Activity log.
- Open Timeline, photo and tag review to see items waiting for a decision.
- Choose Add to profile to show it, or hide/ignore to keep it off your profile.
Full Path On iPhone
Every screen name matters, so here’s the full tap path on iOS. From the home screen, tap your profile picture → Settings & privacy → Settings → scroll to Audience and Visibility → Profile and Tagging → under Reviewing, turn on Review posts you’re tagged in… and, if you like, Review tags people add to your posts?. You can back out and the app will keep the change.
Full Path On Android
The labels match closely. Tap your profile picture → Settings & privacy → Settings → Profile and Tagging → toggle the same switches under Reviewing. If the menu is long, use the search box at the top of Settings and type “tagging”.
What You’ll See In The Review Queue
The queue shows a thumbnail, the poster’s name, the post type, and a short preview. Each item offers quick actions: Add to profile to approve, Hide to keep it off your profile, and a link to open the full post. You can also remove the tag on the post itself, which unlinks your name everywhere it appears.
Need to find the queue again? Open your profile → three dots → Activity log → open the section for timeline and tags. It’s the same place where you clean up old tags.
If You’re Managing A Facebook Page
Pages have their own tagging controls. The toggles live in Page settings, not your personal profile. You can review posts your Page is tagged in and tags that people add to your Page’s posts. If you run both a Page and a personal profile, set the controls in each spot.
Privacy Tips That Pair Well With Timeline Review
The review switch is only part of the picture. Adjust audience settings so fewer strangers can see posts you’re tagged in, prune past tags, and cut tag spam.
Set A Safer Default Audience
Open the audience selector and pick Friends (or a custom list) for your posts. This won’t change old posts, but it keeps new posts tighter by default.
Tighten Who Can See Tags
In Profile and Tagging, set who can see posts you’re tagged in and who can see tagging suggestions. Limiting the audience reduces unwanted reach.
Clean Up Old Tags
- Open Activity log.
- Filter to Posts you’re tagged in.
- Remove tags you don’t want tied to your profile.
Troubleshooting Notifications And The Review Queue
Sometimes the app buzzes late or not at all. You can still check the queue manually and keep control.
Check The Queue Manually
- Go to your profile.
- Tap the three dots → Activity log.
- Open the section for Timeline, photo and tag review.
Make Notifications Reliable
- In Settings → Notifications, make sure tags and comments are on.
- Allow notifications for Facebook in your phone’s system settings.
Common Questions People Have
Does Review Stop The Original Post?
No. It only controls whether the post sits on your profile. The tag can still appear on the original post and in Feed based on that person’s audience.
Can Others See My Queue?
No. Only you see pending items in the review list.
Will My Past Tags Change?
No. The switch affects new tags going forward. You can still remove old tags in the log.
Two Review Switches, One Goal
Use both switches for full control: one for posts that tag you, and one for tags added to your own posts. The table below shows the difference.
| Setting | What It Controls | Where To Change It |
|---|---|---|
| Review posts you’re tagged in | Holds posts by others that tag you until you approve | Profile and Tagging → Reviewing |
| Review tags people add to your posts | Holds tags that others apply to posts you created | Profile and Tagging → Reviewing |
| Who can see posts you’re tagged in | Limits the audience if you approve a tag | Profile and Tagging → Tagging |
Shortcuts And Time Savers
- Search inside Settings. Type “tag” to jump to the right panel.
- Bookmark the desktop page. If you set this up for relatives, keep a bookmark so you can reopen it fast during a call.
- Use lists. If you approve a tag, limit the audience to a list that fits the post.
- Trim old approvals. Visit the log and remove old tags after events and trips.
Mini Glossary For This Setting
- Tag: A link to a person’s profile placed on a post, photo, or comment.
- Timeline: Your profile page with your posts and approved tags.
- Activity log: A private list of your actions and tags.
- Audience: Who can see a post (Friends, Only me, custom lists, and more).
Method Notes
Menus can shift by region and app build. The paths above match the current wording shared in Facebook’s help pages and mirror what you’ll see in recent versions of the app and the website. If a label moves, the search box in Settings gets you there fast.
Real-World Scenarios Where This Helps
Job Hunt Or Internship Season
Friends might post party photos and tag you for fun. With review on, those shots don’t land on your profile until you approve them. You can still thank the friend on the original post while keeping your profile clean during applications.
Family Photos From Big Events
Relatives often share phone albums and tag every cousin. The review queue lets you pick a few flattering shots for your profile and skip the near-duplicates. It keeps your profile tidy without changing the family post.
Clubs, Leagues, And Group Pages
Group admins love tagging members to increase reach. Approve the highlights and hide the rest so your profile stays focused on what you care to show. If a tag feels spammy, remove the tag or mute the source.
Control And Etiquette
Settings help, manners help too. Ask friends before tagging close-ups, avoid mass tagging, and keep tags relevant to the photo or post. If someone crosses a line, remove the tag and send a quick message. That usually ends repeat issues.
Feed Visibility Versus Profile Visibility
This is the part that confuses people. When you decline a tag for your profile, the post can still be visible on the poster’s profile and in Feed to their audience. That’s by design. You control your profile; they control their post. If a post breaks site rules, use the report tools on that post.
Advanced Clean-Up In The Activity Log
The log lets you filter by year, post type, and visibility. Open the filter drawer, pick Posts you’re tagged in, and work through older years first. While you’re there, check the section for photos and videos, then remove tags that don’t fit your profile anymore. A few minutes each month keeps things tidy.
Notifications And Email Summaries
Tag alerts can arrive by push, email, or SMS. In Settings → Notifications you can tune each channel. If you miss push alerts during work hours, leave email on so you catch reviews later. The queue never expires, so you can approve when you have time.
Accessibility Tips
Screen reader users can reach the setting by searching inside Settings for “Profile and Tagging,” then moving to the Reviewing heading. On desktop, the left sidebar lists sections with clear headings, which makes keyboard use smooth. All action buttons in the queue are labeled, so the flow is quick with a keyboard or switch device.
Checklist: Set It And Forget It
- Turn on the review switch for posts that tag you.
- Turn on the tag review switch for tags on your own posts.
- Set the default audience for new posts to Friends or a custom list.
- Trim old tags in the log, starting with recent years.
- Leave push or email alerts on for tags so you never miss a decision.
Page Versus Profile: Quick Differences
- Where settings live: Profiles use Settings → Profile and Tagging; Pages use their own settings panels.
- Who can tag: Profiles are tagged by friends or the post owner; Pages can be tagged by a wider set based on Page settings.
- Review queue: Profiles have a private queue in the log; Pages show pending posts inside Page tools.
When The Switch Seems Missing
If the app path doesn’t appear, three checks usually fix it. First, confirm you’re viewing your personal profile, not a Page. Second, update the app and reopen Settings. Third, open Facebook on a desktop browser and use the left menu to reach Profile and Tagging. Many people find the desktop layout simpler for one-time setup.
Safety For Teens And Parents
Teens get tagged a lot during school events and team seasons. Turning on both review switches gives them a pause button before anything reaches the profile. Parents can sit with a teen and walk through the steps on the teen’s phone, then repeat the same on desktop so both know the route.
Reference Paths From Facebook
The label names used in this guide match current wording in Facebook’s help pages for Profile and Tagging and for the tag review switch. If your menu labels differ slightly, use the search box inside Settings to jump to those panels.
Quick Recap
Find the switch in Settings & privacy → Settings → Profile and Tagging, then enable the review under Reviewing. Approve tags from the queue inside your Activity log. Turn on the second tag review switch for your own posts, set a tighter default audience, and keep alerts on so you never miss a request. With those steps, your profile shows only what you approve.