Facebook has become the go to platform for just about everybody, and is one of the no-brainer options for most small businesses and nonprofits these days. With more than a billion active users, it makes sense to use it, both as an individual, as well as for your business or organization.
But despite the fact that it’s probably the most talked about platform (both loved and hated), it seems as though there are still a lot of people and businesses that do things on Facebook that are either a violation of the platform’s terms of service, or at best, just not smart.
With that in mind, here’s a list of five things I don’t want to see on Facebook. And no worries: feel free to keep posting pictures of your food, your kids, your pets, and the like. I’m OK with that because I think that’s the kind of thing that makes social media more social.
1. HanknPat MacDougall – Please, in the name of all that is right and good, get two separate Facebook accounts. I get it, you’re married and you love to share things, but do you share the same cell phone? Do you wear the same clothes? There is no one on this planet named HanknPat, so please don’t get an account with that name. And if you decide to get a divorce, who gets custody of the Facebook account? Oh, and bonus points for those of you who got the HanknPat reference without using Google.
2. Joe’s Diner – I’m OK with Joe’s Diner on Facebook, but as a business page, not as a personal profile. I’m pretty sure that Mr. & Mrs. Diner did not have a child that they named Joe’s. If I’m wrong, I’ll apologize, but I’m surprised at how many businesses still use personal profiles. This is one of the most blatant violations of Facebook’s Terms of Service, and you run the risk of having your profile deleted. I understand it’s generally done by those who just aren’t aware of the rules, but I’ve also seen it done blatantly by those who are trying to skirt the rules and get a competitive advantage. Don’t do it.
3. Fred AutoMechanic Jones – This is almost as bad as putting a business on a personal profile. Is Fred’s middle name really AutoMechanic? I don’t think so. Here’s the deal, if you’re an auto mechanic, you CAN talk about being an auto mechanic on your personal profile. Heck, I talk about what I do on my personal profile. But I’m certainly not going to change my name to Ken SocialMedia&MarketingCommunicationsConsultantStrategistandCollegeInstructorBlogger Mueller. On second thought…
4. Your hidden agenda – This one isn’t so much visible to the public, but drives me nuts when I get that friend request from someone, accept it, and within minutes I get a Facebook message from you about this great service or product you are offering. Nine times out of ten it’s some sort of MLM dealio.
“Hey, Ken, great to connect! Wondering if we could get coffee some time so I can share this great idea with you. It’s worked incredibly well for me and I know you’ll love it and want to get in on it as well!”
It’s surprising how often this happens. Sorry, not interested in padding your wallet by becoming an annoyance to my friends. If all I am to you is a dollar sign, then I’m not interested in being your friend.
5. Your illegal contest – Yes, this is a pet peeve of mine, but it continues to irk me. Facebook has very strict rules about what you can and can not do. I’d say that at least 75% of the contests I see on Facebook are in clear violation of the platform’s Terms of Service. All those promotions where you ask us to comment or like something in order to enter to win? You’re not allowed to do them. I think what irritates me the most is when I see marketers and social media consultants doing this on their own pages or client pages. Why would you put your client at risk for having their page shut down? Is it because you don’t know the rules yourself, or are you just hedging your bets that Facebook won’t do anything?
Those are five things that annoy me on Facebook. How about you? What things do you see that really get you irritated?
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