Did you notice the change to your Facebook Fan Page today?
Facebook has actually dropped the “Become a Fan” button from your Facebook Fan Page, and has replaced it with the “Like” button.
Here’s an image of what it looks like now on my Facebook Fan Page default landing page / custom “call to action” tab:
Not only is the change directly affecting the way that people follow your Facebook Fan Pages, but it also dramatically changes the layout of your Facebook Fan Page.
Now, where the “fans” section used to be, you now see two different elements:
1) Friends who have “liked” your site
2) Everyone else who has “liked” your site.
Here’s a screenshot of what the left hand side of my Facebook Fan Page looks like with this new change – and again, this is where my “Fans” box used to be:
But “Liking” a Facebook Fan Page is much different than someone “liking” an update from a friend.
When you “Like” a Facebook Fan Page, this is the equivalent of “Becoming a Fan” – you will receive all of that pages’ updates in your news stream – regardless of who your friends are.
Here’s more info from Facebook on the changes:
Why did “Become a Fan” change to “Like”?
To improve your experience and promote consistency across the site, we’ve changed the language for Pages from “Fan” to “Like.” We believe this change offers you a more light-weight and standard way to connect with people, things and topics in which you are interested.
What does it mean to “Like” a Page?
When you click “Like” on a Page, you are making a connection to that Page. The Page will be displayed in your profile, and in turn, you will be displayed on the Page as a person who likes that Page. The Page will also be able to post content into your News Feed.
Is there a difference between “Liking” an item a friend posts and “Liking” a Page?
Yes. Liking a Page means you are connecting to that Page. When you connect to a Page, it will appear in your profile and you will appear on the Page as a person who likes that Page. The Page will also be able to post content into your News Feed.
Read more about the “Liking a page”.
View Comments
Sorry, FB creators, but I really don't know where do you take your own definition for "consistency". Creating two functions bearing the exact same name, plus add the same icon does not improve consistancy, no matter how hard I try to see that your way.
its back to become a fan button again
There is also a HUGE functional change that is GONE - I used to be able to determine who my last fan was that joined the site. Where is that link and I used that to either msg the person directly to thank them OR post on my wall but now you can't determine who the last 'become a fan' person is.
Are they still planning on this change? I see my fan pages are back to normal, but when I go back into pages you admin they are still posting they are going to change "Become a Fan" to "Like" feature
Somehow I do see the consistency theory... and I also think it's a big function being lost (but in the long run a good idea. But anyway, I have the answer. Facebook is reverting back to it's original purpose and I apologize to anyone who felt that they were now in Hollywood with the 'Become a Fan' status. I mean... there is less effect as they used to be when someone actually has the mindset that he is becoming a 'fan' then the 'like' which just sounds simple, plain and... to some extent dull. This teaches us not to rely on electrolonogy as a big marketing mix.... someone say I'm right.
Facebook has also changes user's info page - used to be that pages were listed with their respective little icons - and these rotated randomly. Now, it's just one icon and a list.
Fan Pages had REALLY become a big thing for businesses - because with a Fan Page, a business can develop a full blown application or leverage FBML to create a virtual MINI site directly on Facebook - this is great because it allows small businesses to do things like post their menus online, etc...
Now, with "like", these fan pages aren't really all that 'business-like' anymore and the line between a group page and a business (fan page) is even more blurred. I dislike, dislike, dislike!!!
We have not had one new person "like" our page since this was put into effect. Previously, we were averaging 6 to 10 new fans per day. This is disastrous! Facebook needs to re-evaluate this feature.
LETS GO TO KATE'S PARTY