The fastest way to search for a group
Open Facebook and look at the left sidebar. Click the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) if you are on mobile, or find the search bar at the top of the page on desktop. Type the group name or topic you want — for example, "Boston Book Club" or "Vintage Furniture" — and press Enter or tap the search icon.
Facebook will show you results in several categories: People, Pages, Groups, and more. Click or tap the Groups tab to see only group results. This filters out individual profiles and business pages, so you see only the communities you are looking for.
The groups that match your search appear in a list. Each shows the group name, how many members it has, and whether it is public, closed, or secret. Public groups let anyone see posts without joining. Closed groups hide posts from non-members but anyone can request to join. Secret groups do not appear in search results at all — you can only join if someone invites you directly.
Key Takeaways
- Search for groups using the search bar at the top of Facebook, then click the Groups tab to filter results.
- Public groups show all posts to anyone; closed groups hide posts until you join; secret groups do not appear in search at all.
- Joining a public group is instant, but closed groups require an admin to approve your request first.
- Once you join, you can customize notifications so you see posts from that group in your feed or get alerts only for new messages.
What happens when you click on a group
When you click a group from the search results, you see a preview of what the group is about. You will see the group description, a sample of recent posts, and a button that says either "Join Group" or "Request to Join." Public groups let you join instantly by clicking the button. Closed groups require you to click "Request to Join," and then an admin reviews your request — this can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days.
Before you join, read the group description and look at a few recent posts. This tells you whether the group is active, what kind of content members post, and whether the rules match what you are looking for. Many groups have pinned posts at the top that explain the rules or answer common questions.
Browsing groups by topic or interest
If you do not know the exact name of a group you want, you can browse by category. From the left sidebar, click "Groups" (on desktop) or tap the menu and select "Groups" (on mobile). Facebook shows you groups you are already in, groups your friends are in, and suggested groups based on your interests and activity.
You can also search for broad topics — "hiking," "photography," "parenting" — and Facebook returns dozens of groups related to that subject. Scroll through the results and read descriptions to find one that fits what you are looking for. Pay attention to the member count and how recently posts were made; very small or inactive groups may not have the community you want.
Joining a closed group and what admins see
When you request to join a closed group, the admin sees your name, profile picture, and any message you include with your request. Some groups ask you to answer questions before you join — for example, "What is your experience with woodworking?" or "Do you agree to follow our rules?" Answer honestly and completely, because admins use these answers to decide whether to approve you.
Admins can approve or deny your request. If approved, you gain access to all posts and can start participating. If denied, you can request again later, but it is better to read the group rules first and make sure you are a good fit. Some groups deny requests from people who do not seem to match the group's purpose.
Managing notifications after you join
Once you join a group, Facebook adds it to your Groups list and may show posts from it in your main feed. If you join many groups, this can get overwhelming. Click the group name to open it, then look for the notification settings — usually a bell icon or a menu with three dots. You can choose to get notifications for all posts, only posts from friends, only messages, or no notifications at all.
You can also mute a group temporarily if you want to stay a member but do not want to see its posts for a while. This is useful during busy seasons or when a group becomes too active. You can unmute it anytime by going back to the notification settings.
Finding groups through friends and recommendations
Facebook suggests groups based on what you follow, what your friends join, and what you interact with. When you open the Groups section, you will see a "Suggested for You" section with groups Facebook thinks you might like. These suggestions come from your activity, not from personal data you shared — if you watch videos about gardening, Facebook suggests gardening groups.
You can also see which groups your friends are in. Click a friend's profile, scroll down to the Groups section, and see what they have joined. This is a good way to find active, real communities — if someone you know is in a group, it is probably legitimate and worth checking out.
What to do if you cannot find the group you want
If your search returns no results, the group may be secret (and therefore invisible to search), it may have been deleted, or it may use different wording than you expected. Try searching with different keywords — for example, search "Boston books" instead of "Boston Book Club," or "vintage furniture sales" instead of "vintage furniture."
If you know someone in the group, ask them to send you an invite link or to add you directly. Secret groups can only be joined through a direct invitation from a current member. You can also check Facebook's group directory by going to the Groups section and browsing by category, though this works better for very popular groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I search for groups on my phone the same way as on a computer?
Yes. On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, scroll down and tap "Groups," then use the search bar at the top. The process is the same — search for a topic, click the Groups tab, and browse results. Joining works the same way too.
What is the difference between a closed group and a secret group?
Closed groups appear in search results and anyone can request to join, but only members see the posts. Secret groups do not appear in search results at all — you can only join if someone invites you directly. Secret groups are used for private communities where membership is by invitation only.
How long does it take for an admin to approve my request to join a closed group?
It varies. Some admins check requests several times a day and approve within minutes. Others check once a week or less often. If a group is very large or inactive, approval can take days or may never happen. If you do not hear back after a week, you can request again or look for a different group.
Can I leave a group without the admin knowing?
Yes. When you leave a group, the admin is not notified. You simply click the group name, find the menu (three dots), and select "Leave Group." You will no longer see posts from that group in your feed, and you can rejoin anytime by searching for it again.
What if I get rejected from a group I want to join?
Read the group description and rules carefully to understand why. Some groups reject requests from new accounts, accounts with little activity, or people who do not match the group's focus. You can request again after a few weeks, or look for a similar group that is more open to new members.