Everything you need to know about Facebook groups

    
Setting up a new group

After you sign in to Facebook, you’ll see “Groups” listed in the left-hand column of the homepage. You can click “Add Group” to create a new one. If you have several groups listed already, you may need to click “More.”

Groups seem to automatically rely on your network settings. You have the option to create a group within your school or alma mater’s network or outside of it. Creating a group within your school network will help people in that network find the group and join it based on similar interests, rather than having to be friends with them on Facebook. Creating a group outside of your network allows you to broaden the topic and reach.

Customising

Once you choose a network, you can enter your group name, select an icon, add members and choose your privacy settings. It’s required to add members immediately, rather than sending invitations, and Facebook will offer suggestions for whom to add. To add members, you must be friends with them. (They will have the option to leave the group.)

Privacy settings come in the form of “Open,” “Closed” and “Secret.” Open groups are public — members can see the group and who else is in it. If the open group is within your network, users within your network can see what members post in the group. Anyone can see closed groups and who else is in them, but only members can see what is posted. Secret groups are private to members — only members can see the group, who else is in it and what other members post.

As an admin, you can change the privacy settings of your group at any time. However, your group must have fewer than 250 members, and those members will receive a notification of the change.

Editing

After you create your group, you will be taken to the group’s page. Now you have the option to edit. By clicking the gear icon, you can add a short description, set up a group email address, add a group cover photo and manage members (e.g., add more people, make them admins, etc.).

Group email addresses

A few years ago, Facebook introduced native email addresses for specific users, and synced them with Timeline in April 2012.

Group emails differ slightly in that their primary purpose is to help members keep in contact. When a member emails the group address, his or her message is posted to the group and everyone else is notified. If you respond to the email notification, it posts as a comment. Group email addresses cannot be changed, and only members can use them.

To set up a group email address, click the gear icon to edit the group. Click “Set Up Group Email” and enter your desired address (only letters, numbers and one period are allowed).

Administrative basics

When you create a group, you’re automatically an admin — in all other cases, a group’s admin can make you an admin as well. As a group admin, you have the ability to edit a group’s settings and description, choose how members can be added and nominate additional admins.

To make someone else an admin of your group, you must first add him or her as a member. Then, click the “About” tab, click the gear icon next to the member’s picture and choose “Make admin.” Note that admins have a lot of power in groups, so choose wisely.

To limit who can be added to your group, select the gear icon at the top of the page, click “Edit Group” and check “Any member can add members, but an admin must approve them.”

Monitoring abuse

As a group admin, you may need to deal with members who post inappropriate or abusive content. Removing posts is simple — just click the arrow next to the post in question. You can choose “Delete Post,” “Delete Post And Remove User” or “Report/Mark as Spam” to get Facebook authorities involved.

You can remove a member from the group’s “About” page at the top of the group. There, you will see a gear icon next to everyone’s picture. Click it and select “Remove member.” You can also choose to ban a member permanently. Banned members can never return to a group, while removed members can request to join again.

If you would like to report an entire group for abuse, click the gear icon at the top-right of the page and click “Report Group.”

–Mashable.com