How to Report Libel on Facebook

Facebook can be a good business tool in many cases, since you can use your business page to publicize company news, post information about services and products and reach out to new potential customers. However, Facebook can also be a hotbed of gossip, incorrect information and even libelous statements. If someone has committed some type of defamation against you or your business on Facebook, this can legally be considered libel and you can easily report this to Facebook administrators.

From Your Facebook Account

Log in to Facebook and navigate to the libelous post.

Click the "X" at the right corner of the libelous post and then click "Report/Mark as Spam." A message appears thanking you for your feedback and offering two additional options. "Undo" will undo the report you just made, and "Report" allows you to file an in-depth complaint.

Click the word "Report." A pop-up window will appear.

Choose the "It's Harassing Me" option under "Yes, This Post is About me or a Friend" and then click "Continue."

Click the box next to "Block (Name of Person or Group)" if you wish to block the person who made the libelous statement.

Click the box next to "Get Help From an Authority Figure or Trusted Friend. Forward This Post to Someone Who Can Help you in Person."

Click the box next to "Report to Facebook" and then click "Continue."

Type in the email address of a legal authority or other trusted figure that you wish to report this libel to when you are prompted and click "Send Message." If you don't wish to do so, you may skip this step and click "Skip." A message stating "We Have Received Your Report" appears to confirm that the report was filed with Facebook.

Non-Account Holders

Launch a Web browser and then click the "How Does Someone Who Doesn't Have an Account Report Violations?" page on Facebook (link in Resources).

Click "Submit an Inquiry Here."

Click the "Other Abuse or Harassment" option under "What issue are you trying to report?"

Click "No" when asked if you have a Facebook account.

Select a number when prompted to choose the number of pieces of content you want to report. Options include 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 pieces of content.

Copy and paste a link to the content you wish to report for libel. For users who don't have a Facebook account, Facebook suggests asking a friend with Facebook access to help you obtain the link.

Type in a description of the libel in the "Description" field and then click "Send" to complete your libel report.