What Does the Green Dot Mean on Facebook?

Wondering why Facebook displays a green dot on someone’s profile picture, in the Messenger app, and next to the camera icon in Messenger? What the green dot means is context dependent, so let’s dig in and help you decode it.

The Meaning of the Green Dot on Facebook

On Facebook’s desktop site or mobile app, when you visit someone’s profile page, you might have seen a green dot. This green dot indicates that that user is active on the Facebook platform.

The dot doesn’t necessarily mean that the user is active on the Facebook site. The user may be using the Facebook app or even the Messenger app. But if you see it, it means the user is active somewhere within the Facebook network and it can stand in as an online indicator.

What Does the Green Dot Mean on Facebook Messenger?

While scrolling chat lists in Facebook’s Messenger app, you may have seen green dots appearing in the bottom-right corner of people’s profile pictures. These green dots indicate that those users are currently active on Facebook.

Those users may be active on Facebook Messenger, the Facebook app, or the Facebook site. The dot just indicates that they’re active somewhere on the Facebook platform.

Why Is There a Green Dot Next to the Camera Icon on Messenger?

When you see a green dot next to the camera icon in the Messenger app, it means that the user is available for a video call in the app. This indicator is separate from the profile picture indicator we discussed in the previous two sections and only references video call availablity.

So when you see the camera-adjacent green dot you know the user has Messenger installed, and it’s possible for you to initiate a video call with them.

And that’s what that little green dot indicates on this social media platform. Happy browsing!