Facebook is rolling out a major new feature aimed at reinventing how people interact inside Facebook Groups. Funny though, it looks a lot like Reddit. Meta has announced the launch of Group Nicknames, a system that lets users participate in groups using custom usernames instead of their real names. The change closely mirrors Reddit’s community style, where pseudonymous identities help users express themselves more freely while still maintaining a recognizable presence.
For years, Facebook has been anchored to its real-name policy, encouraging users to appear online the same way they do in everyday life. That approach made sense when Facebook’s main purpose was connecting with friends, coworkers, and family members. But as Facebook Groups grew into massive communities of strangers, hobbyists, and support networks, the real-name standard became limiting. Many users wanted more privacy, without disappearing behind fully anonymous posts that strip away personality and ongoing identity.
That’s the gap Group Nicknames aims to fill. With this new feature, users can choose a custom username and avatar for each group where the option is enabled. Once a nickname is set, they can post, comment, and react under that nickname, creating a consistent group persona that hides their real profile from other members. However, group admins, moderators, and Facebook’s systems will still see the user’s real identity, keeping accountability in place.
Meta says the feature is designed for communities where users want to participate more personally but still value privacy. For example, health support groups, parenting communities, financial advice hubs, or sensitive-topic discussions can now encourage deeper engagement without requiring members to reveal their full identity. It also pushes Facebook into the territory long dominated by Reddit and Discord. These platforms have been built around pseudonymous participation.
Setting a nickname is simple. When creating a post in a supported group, users will see an option next to “Post anonymously.” From there, they can choose to activate a nickname, select a display picture (from suggested options or presets), and customize a background color. Facebook will even suggest nickname ideas, though users can create their own as long as it follows Community Standards and isn’t already taken by someone else in that same group.
A key part of the feature is continuity. Once a nickname is chosen, other group members can view the user’s complete posting history tied to that nickname, including comments and reactions from the past seven days. Facebook wants to avoid fully anonymous, untraceable behavior, opting instead for pseudonymity with structure. Users can change their nickname, but only once every two days. Even then, the new nickname replaces all previous posts and comments associated with that identity in that specific group. This prevents identity-hopping and keeps discussions trustworthy.
There are limits. Nickname-based accounts cannot use certain Facebook features, such as Live Video, content sharing, or private messaging. Blocking can be done at the nickname level as well, letting users avoid unwanted interactions from pseudonymous members.
Although the feature is now available globally, it’s not enabled automatically. Group admins must turn it on, giving them control over whether or not nicknames fit the culture and safety needs of their communities.With Group Nicknames, Facebook is making one of its most significant shifts in years.
By adopting a more Reddit-like identity system, Meta is acknowledging how online communities have evolved and positioning Facebook Groups as modern, flexible spaces where privacy and personality can coexist.
