Facebook Pages Have Been Updated

As most page admins have probably seen by now, Facebook Fan Pages have changed their layout. While this is currently an opt in feature, the changes will take full effect March 1st.  Here is an overview of some of the main changes you should expect with fan pages:

• Photos Appear At the Top of the Page: Similar to the updated Facebook profiles, fan pages will now be displayed recently uploaded fan page photos towards the top of the page (this does not include photos uploaded by fans).
• Tabs Located on the Left Side of the Page: This is something we discussed a couple of months back when Facebook accidentally launched a prototype publicly for a short period of time. Facebook tabs are now located on the left side of the page instead of towards the top of the fan page. Personally, I’m not a fan of this change as I feel it places less emphasis on individual tabs (including custom ones) and more on just the wall.
• Filter for Wall Posts: This is a cool new feature that allows you to sort wall posts by “the most popular”.  This can draw attention to your better performing posts which can produce an increased level of engagement on your page.
• Use Facebook as Your Page: You can now receive notifications when someone interacts with your page (a HUGE plus). Additionally you can “like” other pages (instead of just adding them as a page favorite). This is another huge plus. You can also interact on other pages on behalf of a page, not just as a personal profile. This is probably my favorite new feature out of all the changes.
• Language Filters: You can now automatically block profanity from being displayed on your wall. This setting is set as a “medium” and “strong” filter which I guess is the difference between having a “PG rated” page and an “R rated” page.
• Posting Preferences: Another new feature that I’m a fan of.  Originally, if you posted on a fan page that you were an admin of, you always displayed as the page, not as your personal profile. You can now change this setting at any time.
• Display Page Owners: Facebook is allowing fan pages to display the personal profiles of the admins managing the page. This can be a great feature if you’re looking to build up both your personal profile and fan page. If a company employee is actively posting on a page, this is a feature I highly recommend implementing as it provides more of a human element to your page.

What’s important is to analyze your insights to see the impact the changes have caused on your page. Are less people viewing individual tabs? Are engagement levels and page views increasing? It is important to structure your campaign moving forward based on these results in order to continue to maximize your success on Facebook.