19 Social Media How-To’s: The Stuff You Need to Know About Twitter, Facebook, and Google+

There’s a lot to know and do with your social media profiles on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ (and lucky us, that’s always changing). Below is a list of the most common and/or useful things you need to know how to do on Twitter, Facebook and Google+, from revoking authorization to adding extra password security.

Revoke Authorization

Facebook, Twitter and Google+ all use an authentication process to grant access to third-party apps. It’s a way for you as a user to access different tools, but it also means that those applications have the ability to control your accounts .

It’s a good idea every now and then to review the apps you have given access to. Often we grant access to apps that we no longer use. Before that access turns into a security problem, revoke access directly from your account.

#1: Revoke App Authorization on Facebook

Click on the APPS list in your Left Column
> Select MORE to view the full list
> Click on the Pencil symbol
> Select Remove App

#2: Revoke Authorization via Twitter

Click on the Tool Symbol in the top RIGHT
> Select Settings
> Choose Apps to view the full list
> Click on Revoke Access next to the app

#3: Revoke Third-Party App Access on Google+

Click on Your Name in the top RIGHT
> Select ACCOUNT
> Click on Security in the left column
> Choose Edit for Authorizing applications and sites
> Click on Revoke Access

Control the Social Chatter

Social media is a busy place, making it difficult to keep up with everyone. Let’s face it – sometimes your idea of what is newsworthy is vastly different from your friend who posts 20 times a day about her cat.

There are a number of ways to control the social chatter that range from selectively tuning out individuals to removing or even blocking them from your network altogether. Reserve the more severe actions for people who are abusive or spammy.

#4: Hide a Friend from Your Facebook News Feed

Hover over the Arrow Symbol above the News Feed Post
> Choose Hide
> Select either Change what updates you get from So-and-So
OR

> Organize who you see in news feed
> Follow the instructions to customize your news feed

#5: Tune Out a Chatty Cathy on Twitter

Unfollow

OR

Create a List and Selectively Tune into People
> Click on View my profile page
> Click on Lists in the LEFT column
> Select Create List
> Add your favorite people to those lists
> Create a list column in your favorite Twitter app

#6: Mute an Oversharer on Google+

Uncircle by clicking on the Following button on their profile page

OR

Click on their Profile Name
> Scroll down until you see the Mute option in the RIGHT column
> Click on Mute

#7: Unfriend a Friend on Facebook

Go to their profile page
> Click on the Tool button (next to the Message button) in top RIGHT
> Click on the downward arrow
> Scroll down to select Unfriend or Block

#8: Block a Follower on Twitter

Go to their Full Profile Page
> Click on the Follower Functions icon next to the Following
> Scroll down Block or Report Spammer
Note: Different third-party apps handle blocking slightly differently.

#9: Block a Follower on Google+

Click on their Profile Name
> Scroll down until you see the Block option in the RIGHT column
> Click on Block

#10: Mute Facebook App Invitations

From your Notifications Alerts in top LEFT
> Scroll down the notifications list and select See All
> Click on the Remove X next to the notification
> Select Turn Off to no longer receive notifications from that app or Mark as spam to report it as spam

Note: Consistently muting application notifications reduces the extra noise and clutter from over-enthusiastic friends who bombard you with app invites.

#11: Remove Photo Tags on Facebook

Go to the tagged photo of you
> Find your name in the list of tags
> Click Remove Tag on the post or in the dropdown menu connected with the post

#12: Limit Friend Activity on Your Facebook Timeline

Select the Account Dropdown Menu in the top RIGHT
> Click Privacy Settings
> Choose Timeline and Tagging
> Click Edit Settings
> Use the Who can post on your timeline to control posting permissions

Manage Email Notifications

The last thing anyone needs is more email cluttering up their inboxes, even if it’s just a matter of quickly deleting or shuffling into a folder. Unless you aren’t active on a daily basis, it’s a good idea to turn off notifications altogether.

#13: Turn Off Facebook Email Notifications

Select the Account Dropdown Menu in the top RIGHT
> Choose Account Settings
> Select Notifications in the LEFT column
> Scroll down to All Notifications
> Click Edit button next to the notification list
> Check or uncheck the boxes to manage email notifications

#14: Turn Off Twitter Email Notifications

Click on the Tool Symbol in the top RIGHT
> Select Settings
> Choose Email notifications from the LEFT column
> Check or uncheck the boxes to manage email notifications

#15: Turn Off Facebook Group Notifications

Go to the Group Page
> Click on the Notification button
> Select All Posts, Friends’ Post or Off to manage email notifications

Protect Your Social Media Account

Your social media accounts are a target for spammers and hackers. Recent (and ongoing) hacking shows us that our security is at best mediocre. The best way to protect your accounts is to take advantage of the enhanced features offered by each of the social media platforms.

#16: Add Extra Password Security on Google+

Add 2-Step Verification
> Click on Your Name in the top RIGHT
> Select ACCOUNT
> Click on Security in the left column
> Choose Edit next to 2-Step Verification
> Enter Password
> Click See how it works!
> Click Start setup and follow directions

Set account recovery options
> Click on Your Name in the top RIGHT
> Select ACCOUNT
> Click on Security in the left column
> Choose Account recovery options
> Add a mobile phone number and Alternate email addresses

#17: Add Extra Password Security on Facebook

Select the Account Dropdown Menu in the top RIGHT
> Choose Account Settings
> Select Security from the LEFT menu
> Click on the Security Question to add a security question
> Follow the steps

#18: Add Extra Password Security on Twitter

Add a Mobile Phone Number
> Click on the Tool Symbol in the top RIGHT
> Select Settings
> Click Account in the LEFT column
> Scroll down to Password reset
> Check Require personal information to reset my password
> Follow instructions to add a mobile phone number

#19: Protect Your Social Media Passwords

> Use unique passwords for each social media platform and profile
> Store passwords in an encrypted password keeper
> Use a password generator to create strong passwords
> Never EVER share your password. Instead use third-party apps that allow you to grant (and revoke) access to your social media accounts.

Phew! Hopefully you learned a few new tricks and ways to manage your social media accounts. Let us know if we missed anything in the comments below and we’ll add it to future updates of this post!