There are multiple things that you might be reported by another user for.
These include using offensive or inappropriate language, impersonating someone or something else, stalking or harassing another user, sharing misleading or spam content, and generally violating the community standards shared by users.
When someone reports you, your profile and/or the content that has been reported is sent through to Facebook moderators who will then assess the violation and decide if further action is needed. The outcome of this could result in a temporary or longer term suspension, depending on the severity of the violation and the number of users who reported you.
But one question that many users from both sides of a Facebook report have, concerns exactly how well informed the users are of the progress and outcome of such a report.
Will You Know if You’ve Been Reported?
If a post or profile is reported by another user, and subsequent action is taking following an investigation by Facebook moderators, then you will receive a notification that your content has been removed.
If you face a suspension for a limited time, you will also be informed of this and will have to wait it out.
You will not, however, be informed of who reported you.
How Long Does Moderation Take?
Not all reports are followed through with action, as it really depends on the decision of the moderator who investigates the report.
However, reports that receive multiple complaints relating to a comment, piece of content, or a full profile, are more likely to be investigated both more efficiently and more thoroughly. So, if you come across an account impersonating you or harassing users, then ask others around you to report the profile and help get it taken down.
How Long Will I Be Suspended From Posting?
This depends solely on the severity of the violation. Minor offences will likely result in a limited time ban, often 24 or 48 hours, during which time you cannot post on Facebook.
However, if the violation is more serious then it may be that your account is shut down or suspended indefinitely.
While there is always an opportunity to appeal these kinds of decisions, action will need to be taken swiftly to ensure that you don’t run out of time to appeal a decision before your account is locked.
Suffice to say, the best way to avoid this kind of issue is to stick within the realms of the Facebook community guidelines. These are there to protect users and to ensure that any violation is acknowledged and removed or dealt with as swiftly as possible.
