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UPDATE: 21.49pm – You may or may not see the change from ‘become a fan’ to ‘like’ a page as this evening it seems to have switched back so Facebook were probably testing the feature. At least we know what it may potentially now look like!
As we have been previously but unofficially notified about ‘Become a Fan’ becoming ‘Like’ a page on Facebook, the switch seems to have happened.
According to a confidential e-mail sent to ad agencies back on the 29 March 2010, Facebook gave them prior warning that it would be changing the “Become A Fan” button to read “Like”.
The memo went on to say that users have been clicking the current “Like” feature nearly twice as often as the “Become A Fan” button and that using “Like” more often will increase engagement between consumers and brands.
The memo read:
Like’ offers a simple, consistent way for people to connect with the things they are interested in. These lighter-weight actions mean people will make more connections across the site, including with your branded Facebook Pages. We believe this will result in brands gaining more connections to pages since our research has shown that some users would be more comfortable with the term ‘Like’. The goal is to get the most user connections so that you can have ongoing conversations in the news feeds of as many users as possible.
Many businesses I know have felt uncomfortable about asking people to become a ‘Fan’ of their page – though I don’t know that I would say ‘Come on over and Like my page’.
Remember there also has to be a reason for people to join your community so perhaps it would which will give them a reason to ‘Like’ you.
Here’s an example of the ‘Like’ button on the KLM Facebook Page. KLM is also a great example of how to make your Facebook Page relevant (and even at a time of crisis) to your customer or consumer – take a look at how they are using Facebook to answer questions about flight information and FAQ’s as a result of the current volcanic eruption in Iceland.
For now, those of us who have a landing page on Facebook that says ‘become a Fan’ or we have integrated it into our offline or online marketing collateral will need to review where we need to make changes to our calls to action.
What will you change yours to? I wonder how long it will take for us to adapt to this new turn of phrase? Probably when we have Facebook will have another change in store for us!
Share on Facebook
April 19th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
We’ve already got “find us on Facebook” on our main page and we never got the memo
There are plenty of options if you’re even a small bit imaginative:
- find us
- talk to us
- join us
- interact with us
– ping us
etc etc.,
And I haven’t spent any time thinking about it yet
Michele
April 19th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
A lexicon of usage from Facebook would have been good! It all seems a bit odd. No more fans, “likers” perhaps? “Like Us” sounds banal. Are we keeping groups? And what are community pages? Arrgh!
April 19th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Michele – you are always such a ‘net visionary’:) or even a net psychic perhaps? Thanks for all your suggestions.
I have ‘Join Us’ on my tabs on Facebook.
Helen – yes no sign of Groups changing at this time and Community Pages will be good for pages other than those for businesses or brands. They are keeping us on our toes!
April 19th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Krishna – nah – I just hated the term “fan” We’re not a bloody rock band!
April 19th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
RT @krishnade: Facebook Pages have changed ‘Become a Fan’ to ‘Like’ a Page: how will you invite people to become a member of your… http://bit.ly/brT766
April 19th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Interesting insight into Facebook's change from "Become a Fan" to "Like" button http://bit.ly/9Kl8cj via @KrishnaDe
April 19th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
RT @KrishnaDe: Facebook Fan Page changes to 'like' a page – this is why the change happened @whatswhat_sian http://is.gd/bzIwG
April 19th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Como les comentaba, aquí la noticia: RT @Alltop_Social #Facebook Pages have changed ‘Become a Fan’ to ‘Like’ a Page http://bit.ly/b0Pmbn
April 19th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Reading: http://twitthis.com/povspo
April 19th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
RT @SocialGuide Facebook Pages have changed ‘Become a Fan’ to ‘Like’ a Page: http://bit.ly/b0Pmbn
April 20th, 2010 at 2:54 am
FB: You may or may not see change from ‘become a fan’ to ‘like’ a page as this evening it seems 2 have switched back… http://bit.ly/9Lv6nO
April 20th, 2010 at 5:43 am
Facebook Pages have changed 'Become a Fan' to 'Like' a Page: how … http://bit.ly/d2LLKb
April 20th, 2010 at 5:43 am
Facebook Pages have changed 'Become a Fan' to 'Like' a Page: how … http://bit.ly/brT766
April 20th, 2010 at 5:43 am
Facebook Pages have changed 'Become a Fan' to 'Like' a Page: how …: For now, those of us who have a landing page… http://bit.ly/brT766
April 20th, 2010 at 5:43 am
Facebook Pages have changed 'Become a Fan' to 'Like' a Page: how … http://bit.ly/bsPrU2
April 20th, 2010 at 6:10 am
Facebook Pages have changed 'Become a Fan' to 'Like' a Page: how … http://bit.ly/cvzIro
April 20th, 2010 at 6:10 am
Facebook Pages have changed 'Become a Fan' to 'Like' a Page: how … http://bit.ly/cvzIro
April 20th, 2010 at 6:42 am
RT @MLMRocketFuel Facebook Pages have changed 'Become a Fan' to 'Like' a Page: how … http://bit.ly/cvzIro http://mifeis.com
April 20th, 2010 at 6:42 am
RT @GaryLambertJr Facebook Pages have changed 'Become a Fan' to 'Like' a Page: how … http://bit.ly/cvzIro http://mifeis.com
April 20th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
[...] Has your Facebook Page now changed to ‘Like a Page’ versus ‘Become a Fan’? [...]
April 21st, 2010 at 6:30 pm
I don’t mind the switch from “fan” to “like” so much, but the “Fan Box” you can post on your webpage has been made more confusing by this switch.
It used to say “[your website] on Facebook” and if you were a fan, it would read “You are a fan.” Easy.
Now, there is simply a “like” button that his highlighted blue if you are a current liker/fan. It’s very easy for a current fan/liker to click that button because they like what they’re reading or have forgotten that they’re already a fan, and by doing so, unassociate themselves with your site’s Facebook page. I’m curious to see if people actually see their fan counts drop on account of this change.
April 21st, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Hi, me and my friends don’t agree with the new Like page, so I have created a group and I invite you all to join, hopefully if we get enough members they will give us the option to Like or Become a Fan, link below
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=110814912290796&ref=mf
April 21st, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Facebook Pages have changed 'Become a Fan' to 'Like' a Page: how … http://bit.ly/9dnrUv
April 21st, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Facebook switches community support from "Become a Fan" to "Like" a page http://bit.ly/dlP3qq.
April 22nd, 2010 at 4:10 am
Well , I DIS-LIKE the “Like” button.. As a designer, I do marketing designs, and I’m not going to tell people on a post card mailer to “Like” my clients fan page. What is this grade school. ” Like me hee hee”… Asking people to “Become a Fan” sounded more professional. Any one have any ideas on how to sound more professional than “Like Our Fan Page”?
April 23rd, 2010 at 8:40 pm
[...] that’s exactly what Facebook is counting on. Here’s more from the previously mentioned memo: Like’ offers a simple, consistent way for people to connect with the things they are interested [...]
April 24th, 2010 at 12:37 am
Facebook Pages have changed 'Become a Fan' to 'Like' a Page http://bit.ly/aVGD32 #facebook #fb #smm
April 26th, 2010 at 11:48 am
It’s just a ‘SMALL’ change guys,c’mon,don’t whine about this,doesn’t kills you.
April 27th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
I really don’t like the “like” button at all. Also, it doesn’t seem like I get updates like I did when I was “a fan.” VERY FRUSTRATING.
May 5th, 2010 at 9:30 am
@ Jason, I think the fact that you do forget you are a “fan” or have already “liked” a page is the reason for changing from fan to like. The reason being is that it will result in, as the article above points out, twice as many clicks!
Facebook is a business and it is here to make money. More clicks, more likes, more ads, more money. Simple and cynical, but true.