Recently Facebook changed the way posts show up when published on business pages. They used to be listed chronologically. Makes sense, huh?
A company wanting to alert fans of news-related or time-sensitive topics and offers would post them on the appropriate date. That way fans would not only receive them in their news feed at the right time, but would also be able to view them on the company’s page in the sequence in which they were posted.
Well, somehow the developers at Facebook decided that chronological order was not only not necessary, but not desirable for business pages. They decided for all of us that business page posts should be ordered by relevance – meaning popularity, apparently determined by the number comments.
Tens of thousands of business owners, including me are now screaming wondering “What were they thinking?”
The worst part is that we have no choice. There is no option to set the post order.
It is mind-boggling how this could have seemed like a good idea.
Yesterday there was a panel on Facebook Live introducing the new page updates and answering questions submitted by viewers. The very first question was about why they had discontinued the chronological order. Their answer was lame. They compared it to “Top News” (the personal profile equivalent to non-chronological and so-called “relevance” order – which I hate and always have to click “Most Recent” in order to read my feed where I left off). They claimed that users were not interested in chronological order and that there are other cues that indicate what a user/fan wants to see. The example they gave was if your friend liked the post then it would be of more interest to you. They stated that this new ordering was more engaging for users and therefore preferred.
They seemed to be clueless about what might really benefit a company using a Facebook page. They seem to be wearing “social” blinders and unable to understand the perspective or needs of businesses or organizations.
What struck me most when I tuned into the live chat, was that the company representatives and (at least partial) decision makers of Facebook, looked all of 25 years old. And we all know that Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg is only 26. I am showing my age, but these youngsters could not possibly have the experience or expertise to understand what would be of most value to companies, organizations and individuals who use Facebook pages as part of their marketing.
Business owners are speaking up through blog posts like this one and FB pages like Bring Back Chronological Posts On Pages – if you are one of the frustrated business page managers who wants to join the ranks pushing for the return of chronological order, please “Like” that page.
We will be heard!
And we will Restore Order! 🙂
Completely agree. Here in New Zealand we have just had a major earthquake in one of our cities. Anyone trying to help by using a FaceBook page to get news out, places people can go for help etc are getting their posts lost amongst last months posts.
This is absolutely crazy. They are hurting people with their ill considered “improvement”.
Excellent point! Thanks for alerting us to that!
It would appear that FB makes all kinds of changes based on the whims of all these youngsters….(Something I have said even before these latest and more aggravating changes.) It may be getting close to the time when someone with real business acumen comes along and creates an alternative to FB~ One that only makes changes that actually serves to improves something and one that is more business-friendly!
If FB doesn’t want to go the way of My Space, then it would be advisable that they get some mature and experienced businessmen on their board of directors!
Thanks Ljdusky! Should we volunteer? 🙂
Actually frankly if they listened to some of the youngsters in their target market they would still end up with a better product. I don’t think they are listening to anyone except whatever their socially awkward CEO brainfarts on any given week.
There has also been a suggestion that all facebook users close the ads on their pages, a little box will come up asking the reason why, check other and then you can make a comment, tell them “bring back chronological posts!” This will hit them in their advertising budget.
Thanks for commenting and sharing that! I just found out about it and it’s a great idea. Everyone – please do this!
Great idea! I’m doing that from now on.
I’ve been doing a lot of this, and I know others have been too. Keep it up!
YES!
This is not only about a business, but also about the National Multiple Sclerosis Page, a Non-profit Entity. It has affected how those of us who have the disease, can post and comment in a timely fashion!!
Lisa,
Thanks for your point. I had not even thought of how it could affect people’s health and well being. I appreciate the reminder that this applies equally to non-profit organizations that are doing so much to help others.
Thanks, Kelly!
Kelly,
Are you referring to Hysong Design’s commment? If so they are referring to users (everyone) who see the ads on the side of their Facebook site – on the right side. Just click on the x and when the pop-up asks why you wanted to remove the ad click “other” and then write “Bring back chronological posts!” – it’s a brilliant way to send a message.
Oh!!! Yes. Sorry. I should have investigated his comment. I didn’t know you could do that. I just deleted 4 ads on my profile and told Facebook why! (Things I wouldn’t have clicked on anyway so I hope I’m not hurting other biz owners??)
Kelly – you rock! 🙂
Thanks for posting this, Christine. I was so infuriated about the chronology that I searched facebook to see if there was a page protesting it. There was and I joined as the 68th person. In three days it was up to over 1,000. As I respond here, there are 9,000. That sounds good, but given that facebook is now the 4th largest country in the world (in terms of population), I’m surprised that there isn’t a much larger outcry. This new order makes no sense at all. And, I don’t want an optional view- I just want it to be simple and straightforward. People are constantly confused and lost and this year, the supposed goal is to launch all kinds of retailing through facebook. They even want to compete with Pay Pal. Ha! I wonder how their records would look there… (Your favorite purchase?)
The age thing is certainly interesting. I’m 49 and according to my page stats, the great majority of “my people” are 45 and up. So, I am talking to my peers on my pages. The fastest growing group on the internet and on facebook are women over 55. And, they also happen to be the population with disposable income. There is definitely a generational thing happening on the internet. I also sell on Etsy and it’s the same thing there. It’s run by a bunch of (very nice) wet behind the ears youngsters. They do all kinds of things to make the place “fun” at the cost of doing business. There needs to be a balance between the old and the new or we will be living in two separate worlds…
Rachel,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. These young whipper-snappers sure could learn a thing or two from us mid-lifers! 🙂
I just “Liked” your FB Page. Here’s mine if you’re interested: http://www.www.facebook.com/christinegreencreative
🙂
Christine, I just liked your page, here’s mine…
http://www.facebook.com/metroproject
This change has really wrecked the utility of the fan pages for me. Our band uses our fan page to announce new gigs and the like, but those are getting buried under old comments that are no longer relevant.
The worst part was an old post that said “Gig tonight @ (venue) , be there or else!” turned up, and a heap of people ended up going to the venue and it wasn’t on, because the gig was 2 months previous. That left us with lots of angry punters, and of course because of that a big argument broke out on the comment thread, and we had to delete it to stop the bloody thing from STILL saying “Gig tonight”. Useless twats.
Right on, Shayne! (gee – that just dated me completely!) 🙂
I just think they’re all smoking too much POT!
Ha! 🙂
If they were smoking too much pot they would have left it like it was.
i think you mean not enough pot. too much meth.
Totally agree,Christine. Here’s what I’d posted on the FB Pages thread yesterday after the webinar:
Not to be ageist but, I don’t think any of the 4 reps were over 25? I’m starting to think the “generation” of texting/ps3s/etc display the related ADHD tendencies of “bursts” of info. that are disordered etc. They do not reflect any generations who actually read books,listen to one side of a conversation or communicate in an ordered way with depth & understanding. Which seems to support my impression that the look & operation of the pages reflects the college student mentality that FB started with and many of us had hoped they had risen above.Just my impressions…could be wrong.
🙂 I won’t insult you by saying “Great minds think alike.” 🙂
Great comment you left on FB pages! Yes great (older and wiser) minds think alike! 🙂
Thanks Christine. Read my Plan for the Fight here: http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2011/02/bring-back-chronological-order-on-pages-a-plan-for-the-rebellion/
Thanks for your post.
Still Blonde – Wow! Your plan of action is fantastic! A full list of things we can all do. Thanks so much! Love your site!
I don’t think most people are even aware of the problem. About 2/3 of my friends are not computer literate, but they joined FB to chat with their family. Like my Dad. He almost never changes the view to “Most recent” because he doesn’t remember that it is there and can’t tell the difference. Most of my friends barely post anything – therefore, they did not show up as one of my “frequent interactions friends” – and even though “I” changed my setting, they can’t quite figure out how to change their settings – they just think people aren’t chatting as much or why they are missing things.
I would dare say at least 30 – 50% of facebook users as a whole fit into this mold – not really sure what they are doing, and not enough time to realize just how bad the changes are – not that they are dumb or anything (my dad is a first class mechanic – he could make your eye’s glaze over talking about engines!) …. but when it comes to computers, he’s only really worked with one for 18 – 20 months (since my Mom died) – and he liked FB because of the ability to catch up with family and old friends and missionaries from our church.
So I think MZ and crew are missing the boat – people don’t LIKE the changes and leave them that way … they just don’t realize that they changed or how to fix them.
MountainLamb,
You make such a good point. I too believe and have observed that most of my friends don’t know the ins and outs of the FB pages or profiles. And because of that they miss a lot of what they would probably like to see on their news feed. The younger people can’t even comprehend that this might even be the case. They were born wired for digital and do not have the ability to design the architecure and usability for anyone over 30!
Christine, A LOT of people agree with you…
ABC 7:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=7live&id=7973599
Get Socioeconomical:
http://www.getsocialnomical.com/2011/02/facebook-downgrade.html
Hudson Horizons:
http://blog.hudsonhorizons.com/Article/The-New-Facebook-Fan-Pages–Lack-of-Post-Chronological-Order.htm
Still Blonde After all these Years:
http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2011/02/join-the-rebellion-bring-back-chronological-posts-on-pages/
Cyclone Marketing:
http://www.cyclonemarketing.info/2011/02/19/is-facebook-losing-its-mojo/
Inkling Media:
http://inklingmedia.net/2011/02/22/an-open-letter-to-facebook-re-the-out-of-order-writing-on-the-wall/
All Facebook:
http://www.allfacebook.com/facebook-page-admins-protest-wall-post-organization-2011-02
Social Media Mentoring:
http://socialmediamentoring.com/2011/02/23/why-are-my-facebook-page-posts-out-of-order/
Animal Lovers:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=184919951549385&id=177720168920240
This is the Blog You’re Looking for:
http://benhartattack.blogspot.com/2011/02/dogs-get-slaughtered-over-facebook.html
Blog Hubuze:
http://blog.hubze.com/facebook-changes-posts-on-pages-to-no-longer-show-chronologically
Still Blonde After All These Years:
http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2011/02/bring-back-chronological-order-on-pages-a-plan-for-the-rebellion/
YoInsider:
http://yoinsider.com/2011/02/24/what-happened-to-my-facebook/22052/
SimplyTech:
http://simplytatydesigns.com/tech/facebook-page-updates-under-attack-by-users
Christine Green Consulting:
http://christinegreen.com/2011/02/facebook-page-changes-outrage-business-owners/
Official complaints should be sent here:
http://www.facebook.com/help/contact.php?show_form=ui_upgraded_pages
Thanks!
I think that what’s amazing is that FB seems to feel if they just take a certain stand on a policy & just say “that’s what we think you NEED” gently and in a sort of cool kid/motherly fashion. That we’ll just all believe it and do it their way & get over ourselves. Which in it’s own way is true – sort of.
I think you’ve go them pegged exactly! Thanks!