Facebook, with its billions of users and countless posts, is a platform where users can share their lives, express opinions, and disseminate information. However, sometimes when you click on a post or a link, you’re met with a rather frustrating message: “This content isn’t available at the moment. When this happens, it’s usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people or changed who can see it, or it’s been deleted.”
Similarly, another variant of this error message you might encounter is “This content isn’t available right now,” especially when viewed on your feed or profile page.
For those using Facebook Messenger, the notification can appear as “Attachment Unavailable.” These errors can be perplexing and even disheartening for users, leading to questions about the reasons behind them and potential remedies.
In this article, we aim to shed light on these Facebook “content isn’t available” error messages. We’ll explain why they appear, what they signify, whether they indicate you’ve been blocked by someone, and how you can potentially navigate or resolve these issues.
Also see: Facebook Messenger “Attachment Unavailable” Error (Fix)
Page Contents
Why does Facebook say “This content isn’t available right now”?
1. Restricted sharing
One of the primary reasons you may encounter the “When this happens, it’s usually because the owner only shared it…” message is due to the privacy settings of the original post. Facebook provides various privacy options, allowing users to restrict the visibility of their content.
If a user selects to share a post only with specific friends or a custom list, anyone outside of that designated group won’t be able to view it. Even if you receive a direct link to the post, you’ll still face this error if you’re not within the allowed audience.
2. Changes in visibility
Sometimes a user might initially share a post publicly or with a wider group but later decides to change the post’s privacy settings. In such scenarios, if you had previously accessed or saved a link to the post, attempting to view it later might yield the unavailable content message.
Linked issue: Facebook Messenger “Error Loading Media” (Solved)
3. Content deletion
If a user deletes a post or if Facebook removes it due to policy violations, you’ll get the “This content isn’t available at the moment” notification when trying to access it. This indicates that the content no longer exists on the platform.
4. Temporary glitches
Occasionally, technical glitches or server issues on Facebook’s end can cause this message to appear, even if the content is still present and hasn’t been restricted in any way.
Relevant problem: “Facebook Connection Error Try Again” on iPhone or Android
5. Profile restrictions or deactivation
If a user deactivates their account, or if Facebook deactivates it, or places restrictions on who can view their profile, certain content or even the entire profile can appear as “content not available” to those outside the permitted audience.
6. Blocked access
A more personal reason might be that the user has blocked you. If this happens, you’ll be unable to see their posts, even if others can. It’s worth noting, though, that this error message alone isn’t a definitive indication of being blocked. There could be other reasons, as listed above.
Useful tip: How to Find Someone By a Picture on Facebook
Does “Content not available” mean I have been blocked?
A common concern among many Facebook users who encounter the “This content isn’t available right now – When this happens, it’s usually because the owner only shared it…” message is whether they’ve been blocked by the content owner. While this can be one of the reasons, as previously mentioned, it’s essential to understand that there are multiple factors that can trigger this error message.
It’s crucial to approach this situation without jumping to conclusions. Even if it seems like you’ve been blocked, there could be other reasons like profile deactivation or stringent privacy settings in play.
Related resource: How to Unignore Someone or a Group Chat on Facebook Messenger
Here’s how to discern if you’ve been blocked:
- Check mutual friends’ profiles: If you suspect you’ve been blocked by someone, visit the profiles of mutual friends. If you can’t see the suspected individual’s comments or interactions on these mutual profiles, it’s a sign you might have been blocked.
- Search for their profile: If you search for the person’s name and can’t find their profile, but you know they still have an account, it’s possible you’ve been blocked. However, this could also mean they’ve deactivated their account.
- Ask a friend: A straightforward way to confirm is by asking a friend to search for that person’s profile. If your friend can access it but you can’t, there’s a higher chance you’ve been blocked.
- Messenger check: If you had a chat with the person on Facebook Messenger and now you can’t access the chat or send them a message, it’s an indication you might have been blocked.
How to fix the “When this happens it’s usually because the owner shared it…” issue
Encountering the error message can be disappointing, especially if it’s content you’re keen to view. However, it’s important to recognize that, in some cases, the content may genuinely be restricted or removed, and there’s no way to access it. In such situations, it’s best to respect the privacy or decisions of the content owner.
Nevertheless, if you believe the content should be accessible to you, here are some steps you can take to try and access it:
- Refresh the page: Start simple. Refreshing the page can help, especially if the issue is due to a temporary glitch.
- Check your internet connection: Ensure that you have a stable internet connection. Sometimes, connectivity issues can lead to error messages.
- Logout and login: Logging out of your Facebook account and then logging back in can sometimes resolve viewing issues.
- Contact the content owner: If it’s a post shared by someone you know, you might consider reaching out to them directly. They can provide clarity on whether the post’s privacy settings have been changed or if it has been deleted.
- Use a different browser or device: Sometimes, browser-specific issues or device glitches can cause viewing problems. Switching can help determine if that’s the case.
- Report the issue to Facebook: If you believe there’s an error or technical glitch, you can report it directly to Facebook. Click on “Help & Support” in the main menu and then “Report a Problem.”
Related concern: Why Is Facebook So Slow on Chrome and How to Fix It (2023)
Final thoughts
The “This content isn’t available right now – When this happens, it’s usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people or changed who can see it, or it’s been deleted.“ message on Facebook often stems from the original poster either removing the content or adjusting its privacy settings, such as changing the post’s visibility from public to a select group. It’s important to remember that this doesn’t automatically signify that you’ve been blocked by the content owner, although it remains a possibility.
While the steps outlined above offer potential solutions to this issue, it’s worth noting that their success rates might be limited, especially if the content has been deleted or made private. It’s always a good approach to handle such notifications with understanding and respect for the content owner’s decisions.
