[ SOCIAL MEDIA ]
Facebook Catfish Check
Met someone claiming to be on Facebook? Here's how Facebook accounts actually work, plus ways to help verify who you're really talking to before you trust them.
Last updated August 15, 2026
[ HOW FACEBOOK WORKS ]
Facebook allows searching by name, and profile and cover photos are usually public even when other posts are restricted.
Usernames/handles: Vanity URL, e.g. facebook.com/jane.doe
Profiles Are Viewable Without Logging In
A public Facebook profile can generally be viewed directly without creating an account or logging in, which makes it possible to check a specific profile yourself once you have a handle or link.
Profile Photos Are Publicly Visible
Profile photos on Facebook are visible publicly by default, which is what makes a reverse photo search a genuinely useful way to cross-check someone's presence there.
[ HOW TO VERIFY SOMEONE ON FACEBOOK ]