Facebook – Let Users Create Posts on Page with Moderation

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I'm the PAO (Public Affairs Officer) for our organization, and that means that I take the pictures and write the posts that go online. However, the page owner wants to review my posts before making them public. This could be as simple as only letting me post "private" posts, or something like that. The main thing is that it has to be a permissions thing – i.e. it has to be their choice (not mine) what gets posted publicly. (That means it's scalable – the next PAO doesn't have to be an amazing writer, etc.)

They don't allow just anyone to post on the page. They're very specific about reputation and all that.

Is there a way that they can allow a certain user to write the posts, but not post them (at least not in a way visible to the public?

Best Answer

There is no need to publish any private posts in order to do what you want.
Let us have another look at your request though.

Is there a way that they can allow a certain user to write the posts, but not post them (at least not in a way visible to the public)?

There are two parts to this question.

...allow a certain user to write the posts, but not post them...

If you mean that the user will be able to write a post but at the same time, systematically by Facebook, not allowed to publish the post, then there is no simple way to do what you ask for (maybe not even a way).

...(at least not in a way visible to the public)

There is a very simple way to do this.
It involves at least two parties working together as a "team".

  • Someone with the role of Admin for the page acting as the "Supervisor" that will review and decide whether to approve the posts and publish them
  • Someone assigned the role of Editor that will be the "Creator" of the posts.

The "Creator" will write the posts, save them as Draft and then the "Supervisor" will, at a later time, review them and decide for whatever action needs to be taken.


The steps:

From your writings I assume that your organization created the Facebook page, which makes them the "Owner" as well as the Admin.
Then, you were later assigned as the PAO granting you permission to write the posts that go online. This makes you an Admin as well or an Editor (depending on the "Page Role" you were granted for the specific page).

Step 1: Create a draft of a post for the Facebook Page:

  • At the top of your Page's Timeline, click the type of post you want to create
  • Add details to your post
  • Click the little arrow next to Publish
  • Select Save Draft

Save Draft

You will get a post on your page informing you of the created draft.
draft on page

Please note: If you have more than one drafts they will be "bundled" together to just one draft post.
many drafts on page

Your job as the "Creator" of the post is done.

Step 2: The Admin of the page wishes to review/publish the post:

  • The Admin logs-in under the organization's account.
  • To see your drafts, will then need to click on Publishing Tools at the top of the Page,
  • Click Drafts in the left column
    Or simply click the See drafts link on the above mentioned post.

This will bring up the Drafts screen:
drafts screen

The Admincan click on any draft and review it.
After reviewing the post/s can now:

  • Edit or
  • Publish (approve) the draft/s you've created,
  • Schedule,
  • Backdate or simply
  • Delete it/them by clicking the appropriate link.

admin approval

Draft posts can be edited and re-edited, saved and re-saved as many times as you like.

Following the above steps does not require any special coding or actions. Just an understanding between the involved parties of the organization.


As mentioned before I assume there are at least two unique accounts for the page.
If -for some reason- the structure of your organization is different or you need to edit a role or even assign a new one for your page (you may want to have more than one Editor for when one is on leave) you should use the "Page Role" screen under Settings:

Page Roles screen

Here is a table you could consult about each Role's permissions:
Role permissions

References at the Facebook Help Center:
How do I create a draft of a post for my Page?
How do I edit or publish drafts for my Page?
What are the different Page roles and what can they do?
How do I give someone a role on my Page?

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