How to Filter Facebook Search Results on Web or Mobile

Find the right people, pages, events and more on Facebook

Co-authored by Rain Kengly Reviewed by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones

Last Updated: March 2, 2026 Fact Checked

• Using the Mobile App
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• Using a Desktop Browser
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• Video
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• Tips

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You can use search filters on Facebook to narrow down the type of information you're looking for. Facebook's advanced search filters let you sort your search results to show only people, posts, Pages, events, videos, and even locations, which can make your search results much more meaningful. We'll show you how to filter your search results in Facebook by category on your computer, iPhone, iPad, or Android.

Using Search Filters on Facebook

You can filter search results on the Facebook mobile app or website by searching for a keyword and using the categories at the top or on the left panel. You can filter by People, Reels, Page, Groups, and more.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Mobile App

1. 
   1
   Open the Facebook app. The Facebook icon looks like a blue box with a white "f" in it.

   • If you're not automatically logged in, log in with your Facebook account. You will have to enter your email or phone number and your password.
2. 
   2
   Tap the Home button in Facebook. This is the icon that looks like a house on the bottom left side of the app on iPhone/iPad or the top left side on Android.
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3. 
   3
   Tap on the Search icon. This is located at the top of your screen.
4. 
   4
   Enter the keyword you wish to search. This could be the name of a person, group, page, event, app, or it could be a photo caption.
5. 
   5
   Tap the Search button on your keyboard. This will bring up a list of all search results matching your keyword.

   • On an iPhone or iPad, this will be the blue button on your keyboard in the lower-right corner of your screen.
   • On Android, this button could look like a magnifying glass icon, or you may need to hit Enter on your keyboard.
6. 
   6
   Tap on a filter category. Search will show you all top results. Select a filter from the bar below the Search field at the top of your screen. You may need to swipe left to see all the categories.

   • People will show you a list of all personal Facebook profiles with a name matching your search keywords.
   • Reels will show all Facebook Reels containing your keywords in part or in whole.
   • Pages will show fan pages for brands, businesses, organizations, and public figures. Here you'll be able to find your favorite TV show, pizza chain, art museum, or mystery author.
   • In Groups, you’ll see a list of groups you're a part of or might be interested in joining based on your search.
   • In Events, you’ll see all past and upcoming events in your area matching your search keywords.
   • Marketplace will show all Marketplace posts containing your keywords in part or in whole.
7. 
   7
   Tap the filter icon in the top-right corner to filter the category further. These options will depend on the option you selected. For example, if you selected People, you can further sort by Friends, City, Education, and Work.

   • Tap each sub-filter to select an option. It will be applied automatically for the search results on the right.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Desktop Browser

1. 
   1
   Go to Facebook.com. Use a web browser of your choice.

   • Facebook will open up to your homepage if you're already logged in. If you have not yet signed up and logged into Facebook, check out this article for some help in the process.
2. 
   2
   Click on the Search field. This is located at the top of your home page, next to the Facebook logo in the upper-left corner of your screen.
3. 
   3
   Enter the keyword you wish to search and press Enter. The search results will load on its own page.
4. 
   4
   Click on a filter category on the left navigation bar. Search results include people, pages, places, groups, apps, and events.

   • Click People if you want to see a list of all personal Facebook profiles with a name matching your search keywords in part or in whole.
   • Click Reels to search all Facebook Reels containing your keywords in part or in whole.
   • Click Marketplace to search all Marketplace posts containing your keywords in part or in whole.
   • Click Pages if you want to see brands, businesses, organizations, and public figures with a name matching your keyword. Here you might be able to find your favorite action movie, taco joint, government agency, or graphic novelist.
   • Click Groups if you want to see a list of groups you're a part of or might be interested in joining based on your search.
   • Click Events if you want to see all past and upcoming events in your area matching your search.
5. 
   5
   Filter the category further. These options will depend on the option you selected. For example, if you selected People, you can further sort by Friends, City, Education, and Work.

   • Click each sub-filter to select an option. It will be applied automatically for the search results on the right.
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Video

Tips

• When searching for a group on Facebook, you will see all open and closed groups with a matching name, but you will not see secret groups.
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• You can search "name" and "city" and "workplace" or whatever information you have to narrow search results to just specific people.

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