Activity Status Explained – What Does the Green Dot Mean on Facebook?
If you have used Facebook or the Messenger app, you will most likely have noticed the green dot next to the profile pictures or the video icon. Facebook has not officially explained exactly what the meaning of this visual marker is, but we can make an educated guess, based on similar green dots that are used on other social media platforms.
Find the answers to all your burning questions, including “what does the green dot mean on Facebook?” and what it suggests when seen in different places.
Different Meanings of the Green Dot on Facebook (And Why It Even Matters)
Facebook uses the green dot to signify a magnitude of things. Like many of the other social media platforms, a green dot typically means that someone is online, or that something is active or accessible. However, in this case, the meaning may differ depending on where it appears. There are three main places where you can see the green dot on Facebook:
1. A Green Dot Next to Someone’s Profile Picture
You can sometimes see a green dot next to people’s profile pictures when scrolling through Facebook’s mobile app or the web version. So, we want to answer this frequent question: What does the green dot mean on Facebook profile pics?
The answer to this question is actually quite simple. The green sign means that the user is active on Facebook. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the user with the green dot is actively browsing the Facebook website. The user could also be on the Messenger or Facebook app.
You won’t have any additional info on what the user is doing, but the green dot shows that they are somehow active on the Facebook network. It’s also worth mentioning that the online activity could be just momentary, meaning that they could easily miss a message or interaction.
Moreover, you should take note that some Facebook users disable this active status feature. This ensures that other users won’t be aware of their true online status. Therefore, you won’t be able to track everyone’s active status, only the ones who allow it.
2. A Green Dot Next to Profile in Messenger
Another green dot that you may come across is the one on the Facebook Messenger app, on the list of chats, next to someone’s profile picture. So, what does the green dot mean on Facebook Messenger?
Facebook Messenger is connected to the same network as the app and the web version. As a result, the green dot has a similar function: showing that someone is active on Facebook. Keep in mind not to get too upset when you message somebody, and they don’t reply immediately though, as this only means the user is active somewhere within this network. They could just be browsing Facebook posts, and may be entirely unaware of the messages.
3. A Green Dot Next to Someone’s Video Icon
When you are using the Messenger App and you go to someone’s chat, there is a chance that a green dot will appear on the right side of the camera icon. This green dot has an entirely different meaning than the other ones we have discussed so far.
It means that the user is available for a video call. Therefore, if you tap on the camera icon, you can easily start a video call with them. Obviously, if this dot is visible, the user is online and accessible for a video call, so the other green dot for being active will also be visible next to the profile picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I remove the green dot on my profile?
You can easily turn off your active status from the Messenger App or the Facebook platform. To disable the green dot (Active Status) from the Messenger App, head to the Settings menu by clicking on the gear icon. On the Facebook website, you can go to the Chats section, click on the 3-dot icon, and set the “Active Status” option to “OFF.”
Does the green dot mean chatting or just online?
Facebook doesn’t have a feature that lets you know whether a user is available to chat. The green dot means that someone is active on Facebook. However, “active” could mean a myriad of things, including chatting, checking out posts, changing the settings, and more.
What is the difference between ‘Active Now’ and the green dot on Facebook?
Both of them basically have the same meaning and refer to the user being active on the Facebook platform. The green dot is a visual marker, and the “Active Now” is a descriptive status. However, in principle, both of these things mean the same thing — the user in question is online, and is chatting, liking, sharing, or simply just scrolling on the platform.