Choose your audience: Locking your status update

In my research I discovered that one reason why users create an imagined audience is because they are not aware of the privacy settings on Facebook. For instance how to lock your status update so only certain people can view it. So instead of locking the status update and direct the status update to the intended group, the user sends it to the entire invisible audience and creates an imagined audience. Another reason for not locking your status update, besides not being aware of the possibilty, is laziness... 1) because it is a big project to group your friends, especially if you have +300. 2) Some people like to update on the go, and it has to be immediate quick updates, and then it is quicker just sending the update out into the void with the imagined audience.


Anyway, for those, who would like to know how to lock the status, here is how:

Next time you would like to lock your status update so only certain people can view it, click on the little lock on the bottom of the status field. When you do, the following window will appear:

Now this is the part where you will decide exactly who does, and who DOESN'T see your post. Click on "edit" next to "Custom." Another window will appear like this:

Now, you will notice a convenient text box for "Hide this from." In that box, type the names or the group of people you want to hide the status update from, then click "Save Setting." You can also choose make this visible to.. and then type in the names of people or the name of the group you have created. That's it, now type your status, and post it. If by now you are thinking... Great, but how do I group my friends? Dont worry. I have found a great directory right here.