What Does the Blue Dot Mean on Facebook Stories?

Written by Ivana Kotorchevikj Social Media / Facebook

Linkedin - 6 min read
Key Takeaways

When you see a blue dot next to people who have seen your Story on Facebook, it means that: 

  1. Those people are the latest viewers since you last checked the story views, or
  2. They currently have Facebook or Messenger opened, and they have turned on active status.

Since Instagram enabled the option to share your story on Facebook Stories, many people use it to share their stories on both their profiles. If you like to share stories on Facebook, you may have noticed a blue dot next to people who have seen your story.

The blue dot on Facebook and Messenger means different things. So it’s normal if you are confused about what the blue dot means on Facebook Stories.

I did some digging on the net to find out why you are seeing a blue dot next to people who have seen your story on Facebook.

Keep on reading to find out the answer.

What does the blue dot mean on Facebook Stories?

There are two reasons that are circulating on the web which explain the meaning of the blue dot or circle on Facebook Stories.

  1. The first reason you see a blue dot to the right of the people who have seen your story explains that those people are the latest viewers since you last checked the story views.
  2. The second reason, and the most probable, is that the blue dot next to friends who have viewed your story is that they currently have Facebook or Messenger opened and have turned on their active status.

What does the blue dot mean on Facebook Stories?

What does a blue ring around a friend’s profile picture on Facebook Messenger mean?

Besides seeing a blue dot in your Story views on Facebook, you may have also noticed a blue ring appear on some of your friends' profile pictures on chat messages on Messenger. This means they have added a new story you haven’t seen.

When you open their story, you’ll notice that the blue circle around their profile picture turns gray.

Bonus read: How to hide someone from seeing your story on Facebook.

What does the green dot mean on Facebook and Messenger?

The green dot on someone’s profile picture on Facebook or Messenger means that that person is currently online and has turned on the option to show their active status.

You can only see who’s active on Facebook if you have turned your active Status on. However, you can also hide your active status if you prefer more privacy.

How to turn off active status on Facebook via mobile

  1. Open the Facebook app.
  2. Tap on the three lines in the top-right corner (Android) or bottom right (iPhone).

Tap on the three lines

  1. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select ‘Settings & privacy.’

select ‘Settings & privacy’

  1. Tap on ‘Settings.’

Tap on ‘Settings'

  1. Under Audience and visibility, tap on ‘Active status.’

tap on ‘Active status’

  1. Toggle off the button next to ‘Show when you're active.’

Toggle off the button next to ‘Show when you're active.’

  1. Tap on ‘Turn off’ to confirm.

Tap on ‘Turn off’ to confirm

How to turn off active status on Facebook via computer

  1. Go to Facebook via a web browser and log into your account.
  2. Click on the ‘Chat’ icon in the top-right corner.

Click on the ‘Chat’ icon in the top-right corner.

  1. Click on the three dots at the top of the Chats window.

Click on the three dots at the top of the Chats window.

  1. Select ‘Active Status.’

Select ‘Active Status.’

  1. Toggle off the button to the right of Active Status to turn it off.

Toggle off the button to the right of Active Status to turn it off.

  1. Click on ‘Save.’

Click on ‘Save.’

If you are using Facebook Dating, check out what the purple dot means.

What does the blue dot mean on Facebook chat?

If you see a blue icon dot next to a chat on Facebook Chat or Messenger, that means that you have unread messages from that friend. You can also see a blue dot in message requests next to chats you haven’t opened.

When you open the chat, the blue dot will disappear.

You might also be interested in reading what the blue dot means on YouTube.

Conclusion

When you see a blue dot next to a person in your Story views on Facebook, it means that they are the latest people to see your story since you last checked or are currently active on Facebook or Messenger.

By contrast, the green dot on Facebook and Messenger means that the person is online and they have enabled Active Status.

While a blue dot in Messenger or Facebook Chat means you have unread messages.