Social Media Audit Guide
Everything you need to know about auditing your social media for USCIS screening. Platform guides, risk levels, and step-by-step instructions.
Understanding Risk Levels
Our scanner categorizes content into four risk tiers based on USCIS screening priorities.
7-Day Audit Plan
Follow this systematic approach to audit all your social media accounts
Account Discovery
- List all social media accounts you have ever created
- Search your common usernames across platforms
- Check email for account notifications
- Include old or forgotten accounts
Data Export
- Request data exports from each platform
- Download all available archives
- Organize files by platform
- Note any missing data
Content Scanning
- Use VisaClear scanner on all text content
- Review flagged items carefully
- Check images for problematic content
- Review comments and likes
Cleanup
- Delete critical and high-risk content
- Archive medium-risk content privately
- Unfollow problematic accounts
- Leave concerning groups
Documentation
- Screenshot your cleanup actions
- Prepare explanations for kept content
- Create interview prep notes
- Set reminder for follow-up audit
Platform-by-Platform Guides
Detailed instructions for auditing each social media platform
What to Check
- Channel subscriptions - especially news and political channels
- Liked videos history
- Comments you have made on videos
- Playlists you have created (including private ones)
- Watch history patterns
Red Flags
- Subscriptions to state media (RT, CGTN, Press TV)
- Liked videos with extremist content
- Comments expressing political opinions
- Playlists with controversial names
How to Export Your Data
- 1Go to takeout.google.com
- 2Select YouTube and YouTube Music
- 3Choose JSON format for easier analysis
- 4Request and download your data
- 5Extract and review the files
What to Do with Flagged Content
Three options for handling problematic content
Delete
Permanently remove content that poses visa risk. Best for critical and high-risk items.
- Immediate removal from platform
- May still exist in archives
- Do this well before interview
Archive
Make content private or hidden. Good for medium-risk items you want to keep.
- Hidden from public view
- Can be restored if needed
- May still be requested
Prepare Explanation
Keep content but prepare to explain context. For low-risk or contextual items.
- Document the context
- Prepare talking points
- Practice your explanation
DS-160 Required Platforms
These platforms are specifically listed on the DS-160 visa application form
Important Note
USCIS screens beyond just these platforms. Government tools can search 500+ websites by username. Audit all platforms where you have a presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about social media screening and auditing
Pro Tips
Start Early
Begin your audit at least 30 days before your interview. This gives time for deleted content to be removed from caches and archives.
Search Your Usernames
Google your common usernames. You may find accounts you forgot about on platforms you no longer use.
Document Everything
Screenshot your cleanup process. If asked about removed content, you can show you proactively addressed concerns.
When in Doubt, Delete
If you are unsure whether content is problematic, it is safer to remove it. A social media post is never worth a visa denial.
Ready to Start Your Audit?
Use our free scanner to check your content against 500+ USCIS keywords.