Facebook Graph Search is a powerful way to collect valuable data about your friends and fans.
When Facebook Graph Search first launched, you were limited to searching for information about your friends. For example, friends who live in Washington DC.
You could also use Facebook Graph Search on a Facebook Page to learn more about your fans and customers as well.
Today, Facebook has enhanced Facebook Graph Search even more and now gives you the ability to search posts and status updates.
This is great news because not only can you find friends who share a common interest with you, but it is even easier search your post history with Facebook Graph Search.
To use Facebook Graph Search to search posts and status updates, follow the instructions listed below.
Using Facebook Graph Search to search posts and status updates
There are now three additional Facebook Graph Search queries that can help you find posts and status updates.
Remember, in order for you to search someone’s post, you need to be connected with them.
If someone you are not connected with shares a post and it is public, you will be also able to see this within the Facebook Graph Search results.
3 Types of Facebook Graph Search queries for posts
1. Search for topics you are interested in
Facebook Graph Search Query: Posts about SOME TOPIC by my friends.
For example, you could search for posts from your friends that talk about the government shutdown.
Here is an example: Posts about the government shutdown by my friends.
2. Search for posts about a city, place or from a certain time
Facebook Graph Search Query: Posts by my friends from CITY/PLACE/TIME.
For example, you could search for posts from your friends from a specific location.
Here is an example: Posts written at The Washington Monument.
3. Search for posts you want to see again
Facebook Graph Search Query: Posts I commented on, Posts from SOME TIME.
For example, you could search for posts you commented on last year.
Here is an example: Posts I commented on last year.
If you want to see Facebook posts from last year, you could type My posts from last year.
What else can I use Facebook Graph Search for?
Facebook Graph Search isn’t just for searching posts and status updates. You can also use Facebook Graph Search to search the following areas:
- Status updates
- Photo captions
- Facebook Check-in deals
- Comments
- People
- Photos
- Places
- Interests
Questions using Facebook Graph Search to search posts and status updates
I get the following error when I try to search posts and status updates using Facebook Graph Search, what do I do?
Not everyone has the ability to search posts and status updates using Facebook Graph Search just yet. If you get this error, this means it’s not available to you just yet.
They are working on rolling this feature out to everyone.
What kind of content can I see with Facebook Graph Search?
You can only see content that was shared with you using Facebook Graph Search.
If someone you are not friends with shares a post or status update and it is public, you will be able to see it.
Can I control who can see things that I share?
Yes. Use the privacy shortcuts and Activity Log within Facebook to control who can see your posts or status updates within Facebook.
Wrap-up
With the latest additions to Facebook Graph Search, it’s an extremely powerful tool that you want to make sure you know how to use.
If you need help with graph search, don’t forget to check-out this in-depth article I wrote on 17 ways to use Facebook Graph Search for marketers.