Facebook is one of the most widely used social media platforms for businesses, groups, and individuals. With over 2.934 billion users, there is a tremendous opportunity to use it to grow your business.
An application with great power also requires great responsibility from its users. As a business you need to be especially careful when navigating your online presence. Facebook has many written rules but there are also plenty of unwritten Facebook rules. Check out our do’s and don’ts below for more information.
Facebook Etiquette: Do’s
1. Do Accept Requests from People You Know
Facebook Friend Requests
Facebook is all about connecting with friends, old and new. Because of this, it’s a good idea to accept requests from people who want to connect.
2. Do Acknowledge Others’ Posts and Comments
It’s easy to scroll through everything you see on Facebook without engaging, but that kind of defeats the purpose. It’s polite to respond to people who comment on your post
3. Do Engage in Healthy Discussions
When you come across something that a Facebook friend posted that you have an opinion about, feel free to have a healthy discussion about it.
Try to remember that even in online discussions, you are talking to real people. It’s a good idea to keep your tone polite and respectful at all times.
4. Do Research Stories Before Sharing Them
Social media sites make it easy to spread misinformation a long way in no time at all. Before you share a link or a photo on Facebook, especially if someone else shared it, do a quick Google search or visit one of these fact-checking websites. If the story is known to be false, you can avoid spreading it. (snops.com) this also applies to the “copy and paste” status updates
5. Do Ask for Permission Before You Tag Someone
If you take photos when you’re out with your friends, it’s polite to ask for permission before you tag them in those photos. Once they’re tagged in a photo, all of their friends can see it.
Facebook Etiquette: Don’ts
Next, let’s look at some bad Facebook etiquette. You should avoid these actions to be a better citizen of the social network.
1. Don’t Send Friend Requests to Everyone
If you send someone a friend request after just a brief conversation, or maybe even without having talked to them in person, they might not be ready to add you. Be sure to only send friend requests to people who know you and would expect them.
2. Don’t Post Inappropriate Photos
Facebook doesn’t allow outright nudity or sexually suggestive photos on the platform. However, even if your photo doesn’t break the rules, you should consider how the people on your friends list might react to it.
3. Don’t Post Too Often
Each social media platform has its own nuances and best practices for cadence. While it’s acceptable to post hundreds of times a day on Twitter, Facebook doesn’t work that way. Don’t spam your friends with dozens of memes or anecdotes every day.
4. Don’t Share Sensitive Content
Bragging about doing something illegal will not only make you look bad but could also land you in legal trouble. There’s another element to this: don’t share too many personal details on Facebook. It’s not smart to share confidential info that someone could use against you. Also, employers review your social media and consider it more dependable a vision of you than any job references you may share.
5. Don’t Bully Others
Bullying isn’t just nasty; it can also be against the law depending on the context. Don’t make offensive comments about a person’s immutable characteristics on Facebook. Remember, online communications do not have the intonations, inflections and body language that make humour more easily understood. A joke to you might not be received in the manner intended. Your words could hurt others in a big way.
Conclusion: Treat Others as You Want to Be Treated
When it comes to posting on Facebook, remember that online communities are still filled with real people. Before you post something on Facebook, stop and think whether you would say or do that offline. While it’s good to be yourself and express your personality, doing so shouldn’t come at the expense of others.
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