Facebook group backup - is this possible ?

Need to backup a Facebook group

[jehoshua]

Backup of a users personal Facebook page is easy, but I cannot see how one can backup a Facebook group. There is a need to backup a Facebook group for offline viewing by moderators, etc. Would curl or similar do this ?

Even when viewing pages via a browser, there is a requirement to expand all the "See more" posts and "see nn replies", etc. To export all the expanded view to a PDF would be ideal, or even the HTML, with pictures, etc.

Does anyone know how to do this please ?

[tangor]

I can't help you, never had a reason as I never had FB group ... but one reason I never had one is their TOS that indicates all groups are THEIRS and you get to play by their permission.

I can't recall any discussion on backing up an FB group, perhaps others will have more information!

[jehoshua]

Okay, thanks for your reply.

[tangor]

Chuckles ... a friend who has an FB has just sent me an email asking the same thing ... maxed out at 5k and can't "grow" it. Wanted to back it up and import into a commercial product and FB replied:

PARAPHRASED: "We do not have a mechanism that will allow you to back up or download your group posts."

Followed by another email saying they could double the space for x dollars ... and the amount asked was eye-watering. And insulting when you consider FB is raking in ad revenue on same!

[engine]

There is no official way to do this. Facebook wants you locked into their ecosystem.
You're not permitted to crawl Facebook, and FB has tightened up on this since the Cambridge Analytica debacle.

You'll see, it doesn't want you in [facebook.com...]

The group data belongs to Facebook, and everyone should remember this when starting a group.

[jehoshua]

PARAPHRASED: "We do not have a mechanism that will allow you to back up or download your group posts."

Yes, that is the answer I have been getting. I even subscribed to the Facebook developers group/forum, but no replies. Thanks.

There is no official way to do this. Facebook wants you locked into their ecosystem.
You're not permitted to crawl Facebook, and FB has tightened up on this since the Cambridge Analytica debacle.

You'll see, it doesn't want you in [facebook.com...]

Wow, what a huge list there. Thanks.

[mack]

I agree there is no official mechanism for doing this but if you are intending on moving users to another platform (your own site or app) my biggest suggestion would be to create the new "space" and then use the group itself to promote the new place. Post a message informing people it's there, and every time you publish new content on your new location share it on the Facebook group to drive people to the new source.

It would be great if Facebook allowed group owners to back up their groups, can see why they don't though.

Mack.

[tangor]

As the more popular groups being to hit their "free" limits ... and the number is growing ... this request will come up frequently. FB will NOT let this happen ... they want the captive audience ... besides, they already own the group and evrything that is posted any any member of that group, and don't have to honor anything (read the TOS!)