Confused about Facebook changes?
Just when we were getting used to Facebook they go and change it all again!
This round of changes are quite significant and represent a major change in how they are thinking including (I think?) trying to incorporate things that are possible on Twitter (a business following a business) and a facility whereby businesses can align to each other.
I’ll do my best to explain some of the changes .. here goes
Look and Feel
The look and feel of Business Pages has changed on Facebook with some of the buttons/tabs switching position. The profile pic (if you were utilising its full capability) will now be reduced – from 200 pixels wide and 600 long to 180 x 540 – a call to your graphic designer may be required.
Similar to the new personal profile pages the new business page will also display photos of your most recent “experiences” on the top of the page.
You now have the ability (and choice) to display the “admins” for the page (below the profile pic).
Users switching to Pages
This is a major change and one I suspect is being influenced by twitter to an extent. Now a user can “switch” their profile to their page (or page of your choice if you are admin for a few pages) and then behave more like an individual – however in this mode the user does not have the full functionality as if you would with a personal profile but you can now:
- Like other pages (you cannot be friends with individuals)
- Like and Comment on other pages as “the business”
In this way you will start to see a community of businesses “liking” each other – something which you can do easily on twitter in a very uncomplicated way.
The recommended "pages" appears on the right of the page
To enhance this feature Facebook recommends pages for your business page to like (as opposed to friends) based on similar people “likes” and interests on your business page and theirs (you will have to read that sentence a few times to grasp the point I suspect!!).
One of the effects of this is that updates on business pages you choose to like will come into your news feed (using Facebook as a business “page” user), which in a way can bring you specific information about pages only. This feature enables you to engage with the latest and important news from other business Pages you like.
Information about Business “Page” updates
Facebook has introduced a facility whereby you can get alerts for activity on your page. If you have a large volume of activity this will drive you nuts, however it will help to make sure you don’t miss any important activity of your business pages.
Relevancy – The “everyone” filter
The “Everyone” filter on the Wall by selection provides a new way for people to see the most interesting posts first.
Enhanced Moderations
Facebook have provided more facilities for moderating content on your page automatically including posts by users above a certain age and you also have the ability to block posts using certain selected “keywords”.
More changes
The changes being implemented are still a little “buggy” so expect a few glitches and a few more things to change slightly – no throwing the computer out the window guys … it’s not worth it!!
All in all you can see that Facebook is trying to enhance the “business” aspects of the platform, which provides opportunities for anyone in business who is clever enough to fully utilise them.
Sorry about the heavy post ..
Fuzion provide a full Social Media Consultancy service.
Greg Canty is a partner of Fuzion Communications
