How do I get rid of unwanted status?

Unwanted status on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram can be annoying and frustrating. Maybe you posted something embarrassing that you want to delete, or you want to remove an old relationship status after a breakup. Whatever the reason, getting rid of unwanted status updates is easy enough once you know how.

Why You Might Want to Delete a Status

There are a few common reasons why you might want to remove a status update:

You shared something personal or embarrassing. We’ve all hastily posted something cringe-worthy that we regret. Deleting the status can help limit who sees it.

You want to erase an old relationship status. After a breakup, remembering to delete the “In a relationship with” status can be an important step.
You posted misinformation or harmful content. Everyone makes mistakes, but spreading falsehoods or offensive posts should be deleted.
Your account was hacked. If someone else posted unauthorized statuses, deleting them removes the content.

You want a fresh start. Deleting old statuses can give you a blank slate if you want to revamp your social media presence.

Regardless of the reason, taking down unwanted statuses keeps your profile page looking the way you want it.

Deleting a Status on Facebook

Facebook makes it straightforward to delete your own status updates:

Go to your Facebook profile page and locate the status you want to remove.
Click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the status box.
Select “Delete” from the dropdown menu.

Confirm that you want to delete the status by clicking “Delete” again.

The status will be immediately deleted from Facebook. However, be aware:

Other people who reacted to or commented on the status will still see it in their activity logs.

Deleting the status does not remove it from Facebook’s servers. It just becomes inaccessible on your profile.

If you shared a post and want to remove it entirely, you’ll need to delete it from your timeline and ask the original poster to remove it as well.

Deleting Multiple Facebook Statuses

To delete several Facebook statuses at once:

Go to your profile page and click on “Activity Log” in the left menu.
Use the filter tool to narrow down to just posts you’ve shared.
Check the box next to each status you want to delete.

Click on the three dots at the top of the page and choose “Delete.”
Confirm you want to delete the selected statuses.

This allows you to review old posts and mass delete anything you don’t want on your profile anymore.

Removing a Status on Instagram

Instagram also lets you delete your own statuses, which appear alongside your posts on your profile page. Here’s how:

Go to your profile and find the status you want to remove.
Swipe left on the status to reveal the “Delete” option.

Tap on “Delete” to confirm you want to remove the status.

The status will immediately disappear from your profile page. However:

As with Facebook, the status may still appear in other users’ feeds or notifications if they previously interacted with it.

Other users may have taken screenshots of statuses before you deleted them.

To remove multiple Instagram statuses:

Go to your profile and tap the three line menu.

Choose “Archive” to view your archived posts.
Tap to select statuses you want to delete.
Hit the trash can icon at the top to delete your selection.

Deleting Tweets on Twitter

On Twitter, your tweets appear on your profile timeline for all to see. To remove a tweet:

Go to your profile page and locate the tweet.
Click on the three dots at the top right of the tweet.

Select “Delete” from the menu.
Confirm that you want to delete the tweet.

The tweet will instantly disappear from Twitter. Points to note:

Retweets and quotes may still show the original tweet even after you delete it.
Twitter’s servers retain deleted tweets for 30 days before wiping them completely.

To bulk delete tweets:

Go to your profile page and click “Tweets & replies” above your timeline.
Use the filters to choose only your tweets from a certain time period or containing keywords.
Select the tweets you want gone.

Choose “Delete” from the menu that appears.

Removing Relationship Statuses

Relationship statuses like “In a relationship,” “Engaged,” or “Married” publicly display your romantic partnership on social media profiles. When a relationship ends, remembering to delete the status is important.

To remove a Facebook relationship status:

Go to your Facebook profile.
Click on your relationship status, located under your name and profile photo.
Choose “Remove Relationship Status” to delete it.

On Instagram, tap the “Edit Profile” button, scroll down to “Relationship Status” and hit “Remove Status” to delete it.

Twitter has no built-in option for displaying relationship status, but you may need to delete any tweets or bios that mention a past partner.

More Tips for Removing Relationship Statuses

Untag yourself from any photos with your ex so they don’t appear on your profile.

Delete or block your ex’s friends and family to avoid awkward interactions.
Review tagged photos on your profile and untag yourself from any you don’t want public.
Change your password if your ex had access to your accounts.

Deleting Statuses from Other Social Networks

Most social platforms allow you to remove your own statuses:

Platform	How to Delete Statuses
LinkedIn	Go to your profile, click the “Me” tab, find the status and click the “X” icon to delete.
Snapchat	Open your profile, tap the gear icon, go to “My Status” and hit “Clear Status” to remove.
TikTok	Tap on your profile icon, go to “Settings & privacy” then “Content and Activity” to find and delete statuses.

Refer to the platform’s help docs if you need exact instructions for other networks.

What Happens When You Delete Social Media Statuses?

Here are some key things to keep in mind when removing statuses:

Your status disappears from your profile, but may still appear in other users’ feeds and notifications if they previously interacted with it.
Deleted statuses are removed from public view but often remain on the platform’s servers for 30-90 days.
Some sites let you restore deleted statuses if removed accidentally.

You have no control over screenshots or re-shares by other users before deletion.
Relationship status updates should be removed promptly after a breakup.

Should You Inform Followers You’re Deleting Statuses?

Letting followers know you plan to remove statuses is optional. Some reasons you might post a heads up:

Transparency if you shared misinformation and want to correct the record.
Preventing confusion if you’re deleting a relationship status after a breakup.
Acknowledging your mistakes if deleting offensive or inappropriate posts.

However, for embarrassing posts or routine tidying of your social feeds, it’s fine to delete without explanation. Do what feels right for your situation.

Mistakes to Avoid When Deleting Statuses

Be careful when removing social media statuses to avoid these mistakes:

Deleting evidence. Don’t delete statuses that contain important information others may need, especially if linked to any legal matters.

Violating retention policies. Some regulated industries like finance require retaining social media posts for compliance.
Removing company statuses. Don’t delete statuses made on official business accounts without permission.
Hiding public information. Deleting posts to cover up lies, controversies or scandals tends to backfire.

Use good judgment when removing statuses that were seen by others. The deleted content may have been archived or screenshotted already.

Conclusion

Deleting unwanted social media statuses keeps your profile tidy and can remove posts you regret making. However, be mindful that deletions are not always permanent since online content tends to stick around.

Regularly reviewing and pruning your social media statuses is good digital hygiene practice. Just use common sense and honesty when removing any statuses viewed by others previously. With the right approach, you can curate an online presence you feel proud of.