← Back to all guidesFacebook stores a massive amount of personal history: posts, photos, messages, searches, likes, ad interests, and activity collected from other apps and websites. The export process is straightforward, but the format you choose matters — and most people pick the wrong one. This guide explains exactly what is inside, how to request it, and what to do after you download it.
What Facebook knows about you
- Posts, photos, and videos you created or shared
- Comments and reactions
- Messenger conversations
- Search history
- Ad interests and activity-based advertising profile
- Groups, pages, and events you interacted with
- Marketplace activity
- Off-Facebook activity collected from other sites and apps
HTML vs JSON — which format to choose
Facebook usually offers HTML and JSON. HTML is easier to browse quickly, but JSON is better for long-term archiving and analysis.
Choose JSON unless you only want to read the export once in a browser.
How to request your Facebook export (step by step)
- Open Facebook and go to Settings & privacy.
- Open Accounts Center.
- Go to Your information and permissions.
- Choose Download your information.
- Select the profile and date range you want.
- Choose JSON as the format for archiving, or HTML if you want readable files.
- Request the download and wait for the notification email.
- Download the ZIP file before the link expires.
What the archive contains
- posts/ — your published posts and captions
- photos_and_videos/ — media files you uploaded
- messages/ — Messenger threads, usually in JSON or HTML folders
- ads_and_businesses/ — ad topics and advertiser data
- off_facebook_activity/ — activity Facebook received from other websites and apps
- search_history/ — your Facebook searches
- groups/ — group interactions and membership history
After downloading — what to do with your Facebook data
- Keep a copy of the media files in a clearly labeled folder
- Review the ad interests and off-Facebook activity sections
- Store an encrypted backup in ProtonDrive or pCloud
Quick version
If you want the short checklist instead of the full guide, use the service page.
FAQ
Should I choose HTML or JSON?
JSON is better for backup and future use. HTML is only better if you want to browse the export casually in a browser.
Does the export include Messenger messages?
Yes, if you request the message data category.
Does exporting delete anything from Facebook?
No. Exporting creates a copy and does not delete your account data.