3 BIG Reasons Not To Participate in Facebook Page Likes Exchanges

Facebook Page Likes Exchanges – How they can HURT your rankings!

We all want to get more Facebook page “likes”.  Many of us check our stats monthly, weekly and even daily hoping for a big marketing breakthrough.  We are waiting patiently for that perfect post to go viral.

So when someone has the bright idea to exchange Facebook page likes, we’re all on board!  Heck yeh!  Maybe I can break 300 this week!

Nope – Bad idea! 

Maybe you didn’t realize this, but reciprocal Facebook likes are probably hurting your stats instead of helping. 

I’ll tell you why.

What Are Facebook Page Reciprocal Likes?

Let me first explain what a reciprocal like is. 

It typically goes like this:

You’re a member of a Facebook group of like-minded people.  Someone from the group suggests, “I’ll like your Facebook page, if you like mine.”  As a result, everyone starts posting their Facebook page url and everyone goes down the list visiting and liking the pages. 

Bam!  Everyone gets more page likes for the day.  Win/Win!  …you think!

You may have even seen this in the Say No to VRBO Group.  It occurs a lot, because it sounds like a good idea.  

3 Reasons Not To Participate in Reciprocal Exchanges

#1 – It Affects Your Facebook Algorithms

Facebook is smarter than we give them credit.  Yes, for the first day or two you may increase your reach.  Your stats will take a little jump.  If you’re going to do any Facebook ads, this would be a good time to buy one.

However, after a couple of days, the stats dramatically decrease.  Why is that?

Sigh! 

I hate to break it to you, but the people who liked your page are not your true Facebook fans.  They are fake.  And Facebook is smart enough to figure that out – quickly.

Real fans typically interact with your posts.  When a new real fan likes your page, Facebook feeds them your posts, and most likely they will like, share or comment.  That interaction tells Facebook the new fan is real.

When someone does a reciprocal page like, they are only doing it to get the reciprocal like on their page.  It’s very unlikely that person will like, share or comment on your posts.  

Which leads me to #2.

#2 – Your New Facebook “Friend” May Harm Your Stats (unintentionally)

Your new Facebook fan was just trying to help you (and themselves).  But here’s what usually happens.  Perhaps you’ve done it, too.

After someone participates in a reciprocal link share, Facebook feeds them posts from the newly liked page.  Their newsfeed is full of posts from pages that they really have no interest in seeing.  As a result, for a couple of days their newsfeed is overwhelmed by uninteresting news.

IMPORTANT!  ↓

Your new Facebook fan feels guilty and doesn’t want to take away your “like”.  Guess what they do.  They “unfollow” your page, or worse – they “hide” your posts!

Yep, Facebook is smart.  Facebook immediately knows the person (or persons) have unfollowed or have hidden your posts. 

That’s when the Facebook algorithm kicks in.  It thinks your posts are undesirable.  Guess what.  Facebook stops feeding your posts to everyone!  

Now, you’ve lost your whole audience and your stats really tank.

#3 – It’s Misleading, if not Unethical

We may have to agree to disagree on this one.  Personally, I think it’s misleading and borderline unethical to drum up fake likes.

No one likes a cheater.  And deep down, I don’t think you’re fond of the idea of faking your page likes just to get a higher number on your dashboard.

If your Facebook page isn’t quality enough and your post content isn’t engaging enough to get new Facebook fans, then let’s work on it! 

Check out my Facebook Business Page Review.  I can help you boost your Facebook reach.

In conclusion, don’t try to mislead your audience with a higher number of page likes.  Dishonesty will come back to bite you.