Adding moderators keeps your group running when you're not around
To add a moderator to your Facebook group, open the group, go to Members, find the person you want, click the three dots next to their name, and select "Make Admin" or "Make Moderator" depending on the level of control you want to give them. The difference matters: admins can delete the group and remove other admins, while moderators can only manage posts and members. You can add as many moderators as you need, and you can change someone's role or remove them at any time.
This process takes about 30 seconds per person once you know where to look. The hardest part is usually deciding who to trust with the role.
Key Takeaways
- Admins have full control over the group including the ability to delete it, while moderators can manage posts and members but cannot change group settings or remove other admins.
- You find the option to promote someone by clicking the three dots next to their name in the Members list, not in their profile.
- You can demote or remove a moderator at any time using the same three-dot menu.
- Facebook groups work differently on mobile and desktop, but the moderator controls are in the same place on both.
The difference between admins and moderators
Before you add anyone, understand what each role can actually do. An admin has nearly complete control: they can change the group name and description, delete the group entirely, remove other admins, and manage all posts and members. If you add someone as an admin, you are giving them the power to undo almost everything you have set up.
A moderator can approve or delete posts, remove members, pin announcements, and manage the day-to-day conversation. They cannot change group settings, delete the group, remove admins, or add other admins. For most groups, moderators are what you actually want — they handle the work without the risk.
You can have multiple people in each role. Many active groups have one or two admins and three to five moderators spread across different time zones so someone is always watching.
How to add a moderator on desktop
Open your Facebook group and click "Members" in the left sidebar. Scroll through the list or use the search box at the top to find the person you want to promote. Once you see their name, look for the three dots (⋯) to the right of their profile picture — this is the action menu for that member.
Click those three dots. A menu will appear with options including "Make Moderator" and "Make Admin". Click whichever role you want to give them. Facebook will ask you to confirm, and the change takes effect immediately. The person will receive a notification that they have been promoted.
If you do not see the three dots, make sure you are logged in as the group admin. You cannot promote someone unless you have admin rights yourself.
How to add a moderator on mobile
Open the Facebook app and go to your group. Tap "Members" at the top. Find the person you want to promote by scrolling or searching. Tap their name to open their profile card.
On their profile card, you will see a three-dot menu in the top right corner. Tap it and select "Make Moderator" or "Make Admin". Confirm the change when prompted. The process is identical to desktop — only the layout of the screen changes.
If the menu does not appear, try tapping the three dots again or refreshing the page. Sometimes the mobile app needs a moment to load all the options.
Removing or changing a moderator's role
You can change someone's role or remove them as a moderator just as easily as you added them. Go to Members, find the person, click the three dots next to their name, and select the new role or "Remove as Moderator". The change is immediate.
If someone was an admin and you want to demote them to moderator, use the same process. Click the three dots and select "Make Moderator". They will keep their moderator status but lose admin privileges. If you want to remove them entirely from any special role, select "Remove as Admin" or "Remove as Moderator" depending on what they currently are.
The person will be notified of the change. They will still be a member of the group unless you remove them from the group entirely, which is a separate action.
What moderators can and cannot do
Your moderators can approve posts if you have turned on post approval, delete posts that break your group rules, remove members who are causing problems, pin important announcements to the top of the feed, and respond to member reports. They can also see which posts have been reported and take action on them.
Moderators cannot change the group name, description, privacy settings, or cover photo. They cannot delete the group, remove other admins, or add new admins. They cannot see the group's moderation log or access any admin-only reports. If you need someone to handle those tasks, they need to be an admin, not a moderator.
Best practices for choosing moderators
Pick people who are already active and respected in your group — someone who has been a member for at least a few weeks and whose posts other members respond to positively. Avoid promoting someone just because they asked or because they are your friend. A good moderator is someone who understands your group's purpose and enforces the rules fairly.
Start with one or two moderators and add more only if you need them. A group with too many moderators often has conflicting decisions and confused members. If your group is very large or spans multiple time zones, you might need three to five moderators so coverage is consistent.
Tell your moderators what you expect from them before you promote them. Do you want them to approve posts before they go live, or only remove posts after they are posted? How should they handle arguments between members? What counts as a rule violation? A quick conversation prevents misunderstandings later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone as a moderator if they are not in the group yet?
No. The person must already be a member of the group. If they are not a member, invite them to join first, wait for them to accept, and then promote them. You cannot skip the membership step.
What happens if a moderator is inactive for a long time?
Nothing automatic happens. They stay a moderator until you remove them. If someone stops being active in your group, you should remove their moderator status so the role goes to someone who is actually present. You can always add them back later if they return.
Can moderators see private messages between group members?
No. Moderators can only see posts in the group feed and comments on those posts. They cannot access private messages, member information, or anything outside the public group space. If you need someone to handle private member issues, they need to be an admin.
What if I accidentally make someone an admin instead of a moderator?
Go back to Members, click the three dots next to their name, and select "Make Moderator". This will demote them from admin to moderator. They will keep their moderator role but lose the admin powers. The change takes effect immediately.
Can I remove myself as admin and make someone else the admin instead?
Yes, but be careful. Make the other person an admin first, then remove yourself as admin using the same three-dot menu. Once you remove yourself, you cannot add yourself back — only an admin can promote people. Make absolutely sure the other admin is someone you trust completely before you step down.