CLEARRULES / About
Clear explanations, with sources you can check
Instagram and Facebook rules through specific examples: what you post, what the issue is and what to do next. In English, Spanish, Russian, Hindi, Urdu, French and Japanese.
An independent initiative for digital safety and clear rules
We created ClearRules around a simple idea: no one should have to face an unexplained suspension, a hacked account or the loss of access to their account alone.
Behind every account is something that matters: work, memories, loved ones or a business. We help you understand platform rules, find available ways to seek help and work out what to do next.
Why it’s free
We believe everyone should have access to clear instructions and the means to protect their account. That’s why we bring scattered information together and turn it into practical steps you can follow yourself.
ClearRules is not affiliated with Meta. We do not make decisions on behalf of platforms or guarantee account recovery. Our role is to help you understand your options.
Contact ClearRules
Found an error or a broken link, or have an idea for an improvement? Email us.
Do not send passwords, login codes, 2FA secret keys or photos of documents. This is the ClearRules project’s email address, not Instagram or Facebook support.
01
A familiar situation
See the actual post, message or action that raises a question.
02
A clear next step
Understand the issue and get a specific action or wording you can use.
03
Sources and what we checked
See which sources we’ve read and which guides still need a full review.
How we prepare and update our guides
ClearRules is an independent guide prepared by the ClearRules editorial team. Each guide identifies its official sources, dates and review limits. We clearly mark material that has not been fully checked.
Sources alongside the answer
We link to Meta Help and publications. If only a search excerpt is available, we say so. Our explanation does not replace the original conditions.
An example and a next step
Examples are fictional but concrete: which screen to find, what to keep and which help route fits. We do not promise response times or successful recovery.
Dates mean different things
We distinguish the guide’s publication date, text updates and source review date. Changing the design or wording does not mean Meta’s rules have been checked again.
If your app looks different
Menus and feature availability can vary by app version and account. Use the purpose of the action and the official source as your guide. A missing button alone does not prove a suspension.
Source review
98guides with a source read
55guides with an excerpt reviewed
7preliminary guides
Work in progress
This growing library does not cover every rule yet. Meta decides how accounts and posts are treated.
Still awaiting full reviewTesting ClearRules
Expected and actual results on fictional cases. Differences are visible, and you can run your own dataset.
Demos in developmentWhere the rules begin
Official Instagram and Meta documents. Individual guides include specific sources and their review status.
01Instagram Terms of Use02Meta Community Standards03Instagram recommendations04Meta Advertising Standards
Guide sources
The main source is listed beside each guide. Additional links, dates and review limits are inside the article.
A published Reel or video has lost its soundBased on Meta’s materialFacebook Help · Music rights changes and muted published videos
Where did the off-Meta activity setting go?Based on Meta’s materialMeta — Activity from other businesses: controls and rollout
What to do with the account of someone who has diedSource partly reviewedFacebook Help · Request memorialization or removal
Stop uploading contacts and review earlier uploadsSource partly reviewedFacebook Help · Contact uploading in the Facebook mobile app
Remove an unwanted Facebook tag or hide a postSource partly reviewedFacebook Help · Share and Manage Posts on Your Profile (search excerpt)
Review or remove an app’s Facebook accessSource partly reviewedFacebook Help · Control if an app can publish Facebook posts on your behalf
Check or stop Instagram location sharingBased on Meta’s materialInstagram Help · Share your location on Instagram Map (Android)
Limit who can remix or download your Instagram contentBased on Meta’s materialInstagram Help · Manage who can remix and reuse your content
Control Instagram read receiptsBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Instagram DM updates (2024 announcement)
Manage search-engine links to your Facebook profileSource partly reviewedFacebook Help · Search engines outside Facebook (undated; indexed excerpt)
Lock your Facebook profile when the option is availableSource partly reviewedFacebook Help · Lock your Facebook profile (undated indexed excerpts)
Restrict someone on MessengerSource partly reviewedMeta Help · Restrict or unrestrict someone on Messenger (indexed excerpts)
Hide your Instagram story from selected peopleSource partly reviewedInstagram Help · Hide your Instagram story from someone
Archive or restore your own Facebook postsSource partly reviewedFacebook Help · Archive or delete content on Facebook
Switch Instagram back to a personal accountSource partly reviewedInstagram Help · Switch back to a personal Instagram account
Unsend an Instagram message you sent by mistakeSource partly reviewedInstagram Help · Unsend a message you have sent in a chat
Choose who can see your Facebook friends listSource partly reviewedFacebook Help · Adjust who can see your Friends section
Choose Facebook event privacy before creating itSource partly reviewedFacebook Help · Control who sees or joins your Facebook event
Reduce unwanted Instagram message requests and group invitationsBased on Meta’s materialMeta MyDigitalWorld · Controls for Instagram messages and group chats
Filter repeated abuse or spam in Facebook Page commentsSource partly reviewedFacebook Help · Block certain words in comments on your Page
Review tags people add to your own Facebook postsBased on Meta’s materialMeta Safety Centre · Tag review and profile review
Set quiet hours with Instagram Sleep modeBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Sleep mode (formerly Quiet mode)
Invite people to an Instagram group with a QR codeBased on Meta’s materialMeta · New Instagram DM Features · group chat QR codes
Accounts Center has become Meta Account: check the scope firstBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Meta Account rollout and settings
Check who can see a Facebook Reel before sharingBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Facebook video publishing and audience
Respond to a Messenger scam warning or AI-review promptBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · Messenger scam warnings and optional AI review
Check a suspicious Facebook friend requestBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Facebook suspicious friend-request warning test
Understand a blurred image warning in Instagram DMsBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Instagram DM nudity protection
Check an accidental Instagram repostBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Instagram reposts and their visibility
Adjust Facebook recommendations with Your algorithmBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Facebook Your algorithm rollout
Check Instagram Instants audience and undoBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Instagram Instants audiences, archive and undo
Schedule an Instagram DM and verify cancellationBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Scheduling Instagram text DMs
Check privacy before posting anonymously in a Facebook groupSource partly reviewedFacebook · Anonymous group participation and identity visibility (indexed Help text)
Choose who can comment on your public Facebook postBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Choose the commenting audience for a public Facebook post
Check the limits of your Reels Friends-tab privacyBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Reels Friends tab activity controls
Preserve a Facebook Live recording before it disappearsBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Facebook Live video storage policy (18–19 February 2025)
Check the audience before sharing an Instagram Trial ReelBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Trial Reels audience and optional automatic sharing
Check disappearing messages in MessengerBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · Launching Default End-to-End Encryption on Messenger (December 2023)
Reduce a sudden wave of unwanted Instagram commentsBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · Safety tools for athletes and fans
Check comments hidden by Facebook Moderation AssistBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · Professional-account comment controls
Review who can see your Facebook contact detailsBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · Facebook Privacy Checkup
See recent posts from the Instagram accounts you followBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · Favorites and Following
Find recent posts from friends and groups on FacebookBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · Home and Feeds
Pause someone’s Facebook posts without unfriending themBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · Snooze
Keep an important Instagram post at the top of your profileBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · Instagram profile pinning
Your friend cannot see your saved posts? Check the collectionBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · Instagram collaborative collections
A Messenger photo looks blurry: what to checkBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · HD Photos, Shared Albums and More on Messenger
A mistake in a Messenger message: correcting the textBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · Launching Default End-to-End Encryption on Messenger
Photos get lost in Messenger: make a shared albumBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · HD Photos, Shared Albums and More on Messenger
Find someone on Messenger with a QR codeBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · HD Photos, Shared Albums and More on Messenger
An Instagram DM is in another language: translate itBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · New Instagram DM Features to Help You Stay Connected
An address keeps getting lost in Instagram chat: pin itBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · New Instagram DM Features to Help You Stay Connected
A file will not send in Messenger: check its sizeBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · HD Photos, Shared Albums and More on Messenger
Keep an important Instagram chat at the topBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · Edit Your Messages, Pin Your Chats and More Instagram DM Updates
Share a song in an Instagram conversationBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · New Instagram DM Features to Help You Stay Connected
Listen to a long Messenger voice message fasterBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom · Launching Default End-to-End Encryption on Messenger
CourtSA Final Notice P1: a careful route through a Meta disputeBased on Meta’s materialCourtSA · Final Notice
Older Messenger chats missingBased on Meta’s materialMessenger Help · Restore encrypted chat history
Meta Verified: charges, cancellation and refundsBased on Meta’s materialMeta Help · Troubleshoot payment issues for Meta Verified creator subscriptions
“Comment YES” on an Instagram postBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Ayudando a los creadores a encontrar nuevas audiencias (2024)
Health promises on InstagramBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Ayudando a los creadores a encontrar nuevas audiencias (2024)
Someone is pretending to be me on InstagramBased on Meta’s materialInstagram — Report an account that's impersonating you on Instagram
My Instagram post or story has disappearedBased on Meta’s materialInstagram — How to recover deleted Instagram photos, videos, reels, and stories
I cannot use or change my Instagram usernameBased on Meta’s materialInstagram — How to change your Instagram profile information
Instagram or Messenger won't send messagesSource partly reviewedMeta — Unable to send or see messages on Messenger
My Facebook group is restricted or disabledSource partly reviewedMeta — Appeal Facebook's decision to disable your group or remove content, and more about Group Quality
Manage linked Instagram and Facebook accountsBased on Meta’s materialMeta — Connected experiences across your accounts in an Accounts Center
I don't recognize a Meta ad chargeBased on Meta’s materialMeta — Troubleshoot unrecognized activity on your ad account
Meta can't verify my businessBased on Meta’s materialMeta — How to verify your business in Meta Business Suite
My creator monetization is restrictedBased on Meta’s materialHow to appeal loss of access to Facebook monetization features
Can Meta Verified help with my account?Based on Meta’s materialContact Meta Verified Support for your verified account
How do I download my photos and account data?Based on Meta’s materialMeta — Manage your information across apps
Deactivate or delete Facebook?Based on Meta’s materialFacebook Help Center — Permanently delete your Facebook account
How do I hide when I am online on Instagram?Based on Meta’s materialInstagram Help Center — Activity status
How do I share Stories with close friends only?Based on Meta’s materialMeta — Close Friends and control over your Stories audience
My Instagram recommendations are all wrong. What can I do?Based on Meta’s materialMeta — Reshape your Instagram with a recommendations reset
My account is suspended. Where do I start?Source partly reviewedInstagram Help Center — About disabled Instagram accounts
Instagram account suspended for CSE: what to doSource partly reviewedMeta — Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Nudity
Facebook suspended because of InstagramSource partly reviewedFacebook Help Center — Suspended or disabled accounts
Instagram video selfie is not workingSource partly reviewedInstagram Help Center — Video selfie verification
Facebook identity confirmation is not workingSource partly reviewedFacebook Help Center — Why an ID may be rejected
Facebook login code is not arrivingSource partly reviewedFacebook Help Center — Troubleshoot two-factor login
Facebook Marketplace restricted: what to doSource partly reviewedFacebook Help Center — Marketplace access restrictions
Lost admin access to a Facebook PageSource partly reviewedFacebook — Recover a hacked Facebook Page you manage
How to delete or temporarily deactivate your Instagram accountSource partly reviewedInstagram Help Center — Delete your Instagram account
Post or account removed over a trademark complaintSource partly reviewedInstagram — Appeal a removal for trademark infringement
The app crashes or the feed will not loadSource partly reviewedInstagram Help Center — Troubleshooting
Facebook: “Session expired” or “Account locked”Source partly reviewedFacebook Help Center — Unlock your account
How to contact Instagram and Facebook supportSource partly reviewedMeta Help Center — Contact Meta Verified Support
My appeal will not submit, or I am still waitingBased on Meta’s materialMeta — Account support and recovery
Someone offers paid account recoveryBased on Meta’s materialMeta — Action against phony account restoration services
Facebook ad account disabledSource partly reviewedMeta — Request a review for a restricted advertising account
Meta business account or portfolio restrictedSource partly reviewedMeta — Troubleshoot a Disabled or Restricted Account
Instagram views dropped? Check for account restrictionsSource partly reviewedInstagram — Check your Account Status
Instagram blocks a follow, like or commentSource partly reviewedInstagram — Account Status and restrictions
Violation notice: what exactly was restricted?Source partly reviewedInstagram — Account Status and content decisions
Open Instagram or get the official appBased on Meta’s materialInstagram — official Google Play listing
Facebook, Marketplace or Messenger: where to goBased on Meta’s materialFacebook — official Google Play listing
Watch, save or download a video: what to chooseBased on Meta’s materialMeta — access and download your information
Account recovery is stuck at a link, code or identity checkSource partly reviewedInstagram — Password reset links do not work
Private Instagram: who can see my photos?Source partly reviewedInstagram Help Center — Make your Instagram account private
Forgot your password? Start hereSource partly reviewedInstagram Help Center — Recover your Instagram password
The sign-in email or text has not arrivedSource partly reviewedInstagram Help Center — Password reset email not received
I know my password, but lost my authenticatorSource partly reviewedInstagram Help Center — How you can use a backup code
My old email or phone number is unavailableSource partly reviewedInstagram Help Center — Lost access to email or phone number
A reset email arrived, but I did not request itSource partly reviewedInstagram Help Center — A password reset email you did not request
There is an unfamiliar login. What should I check?Based on Meta’s materialMeta — Keeping Instagram Safe and Secure
Weight-loss ads without body shamingSource partly reviewedMeta Advertising Standards — Health and Wellness
A vape ad: an “18+” label is not enoughSource partly reviewedMeta Advertising Standards — Tobacco and Related Products
“Pay me or I’ll send everyone your photos”Based on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom — Helping Teens Avoid Sextortion Scams
An adult can see the post; a teen cannotBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom — Instagram Expands Teen Accounts Inspired by 13+ Content Ratings
A job ad: a café is hiring a baristaBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom — An Update on Our Ads Fairness Efforts
A property ad: describe the homeBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom — Protecting Against Discrimination in Ads
An AI voice in your video: tell viewersBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom — Labeling AI-Generated Images on Facebook, Instagram and Threads
Someone else’s logo does not make your shop officialBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom — Boosting Your Support and Safety on Meta’s Apps With AI
A Community Note appeared: is my account in trouble?Based on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom — Testing Begins for Community Notes
When a complaint becomes a threatBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom — Protecting Our Community from Abuse on Instagram
A complaint about a tradesperson does not justify attacking a nationalityPreliminary guideMeta Community Standards — Hateful Conduct
Calling it a “replica” does not resolve the logo issuePreliminary guideMeta Community Standards — intellectual property
An extra profile without someone else’s identityBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom — Multiple Personal Profiles: Authenticity and Responsibility
Responding to a bad review without a pile-onBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom — Protecting Our Community from Abuse on Instagram
A post staying online does not promise reachBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom — Recommendation Guidelines
Instagram giveaways: clear entry rulesSource partly reviewedInstagram Help Center — Promotion Guidelines
“Share and tag three friends” on FacebookSource partly reviewedFacebook — Pages, Groups and Events Policies
Ad copy: “Do you have acne?”Source partly reviewedMeta Advertising Standards — Privacy Violations and Personal Attributes
Sharing a screenshot: what to hideSource partly reviewedMeta Community Standards — Privacy Violations
Buying followers and commentsBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom — Cracking Down on Spammy Content on Facebook
Instagram asks you to verify your ageBased on Meta’s materialMeta Newsroom — Introducing New Ways to Verify Age on Instagram
Someone else’s video, your captionsBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Rewarding Original Creators on Facebook
An extra profile, not another person’s identityBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Multiple Personal Profiles
Your password is only the first stepBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Keeping Instagram Safe and Secure
Your account was hacked and the email changedBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Account Support and Recovery
A post was removed. What should you write?Based on Meta’s materialMeta · Content Decisions and Appeal Options
A photo editor wants your Facebook passwordBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Malicious Account Compromise Apps
When a product promises a health benefitBased on Meta’s materialMeta · Addressing Sensational Health Claims