Learning to Love the Facebook Algorithm: A #BufferChat Recap
This week on #bufferchat our community chatted all about how to find success with the recent meaningful interactions updates to the Facebook algorithm. Read on to discover all of the awesome insights shared during the chat!
Catch our weekly Twitter chat, #bufferchat, at TWO times every Wednesday for valuable industry insights and to meet hundreds of other smart marketers and social media enthusiasts. Same topic, same place, just at different times – feel free to join whichever chat time works best for you!
4 pm AEDT (Sydney time)
9 am PT (San Francisco time)
This week’s stats:
Bufferchat #1 (4 pm AEDT): 16 participants; reach of 1,083,919
Bufferchat #2 (9 am PT): 47 participants; reach of 1,041,032
Q1: What were your initial thoughts on the “meaningful interactions” Facebook algorithm update?
From the community:
A1: Honestly I look at this update as a wake-up call to businesses everywhere. We’ve been well past tag and like bait posts for a while now, and it’s time we all got more serious about quality engagements. #bufferchat
— ❏ Hire Noah! (@hirenoah) February 14, 2018
A1: More dinner photos…. But seriously, as a user its good for filtering out lame marketing… As a marketer, it pushes you to up your game. #bufferchat
— Victoria Teasdale (@CoachVictoriaT) February 14, 2018
A1 panic! ? I hate that FB has this hold over publishers. Just because people aren’t “interacting” with posts doesn’t mean they aren’t being clicked and red. A lot of topics are sensitive to people or others may feel embarrassed etc #bufferchat
— Ashleigh Pirie (@MissAshleighP) February 14, 2018
A1: Well, we are trying to harness AI-driven systems to encourage meaningful interactions whilst also manipulating them based on a certain set of standards.
In theory it’s a great idea, however, I am curious to watch the real-world application. #bufferchat pic.twitter.com/oflvlmEmCU
— Pippa ? (@PippaRogers82) February 14, 2018
See all the great answers to question 1 here!
Q2: Will this update change your Facebook strategy?
From the community:
A2: In some ways. Social media and word of mouth have been very helpful for events and special offers. However, we’ve been leaning more toward sharing cool, science content and Facebook Live before this algorithm change was even announced. #bufferchat
— Juli (@juli_exists) February 14, 2018
A2: Changing? No. Pivoting? Yes. Putting more focus on getting fan insight through questions and similar copy initiatives. #BufferChat pic.twitter.com/DdIGZFLCpO
— Anne Mercer (@Anne_E_Mercer) February 14, 2018
A2) Certainly! We’ve seen the value of call to actions like “tag a friend” and “share now” but are confident that these CTAs won’t work forever #bufferchat
— Foundation Inc (@FoundationIncCo) February 14, 2018
A2: It seems like pay to play is almost required now, so in that regard yes. But per finding great content to share, no. #bufferchat
— Vicky Warren – Social Media Coach for Solopreneurs (@VickyWriting) February 14, 2018
See all the great answers to question 2 here!
Q3: Commenting is a top ranking factor for interactions, what can you do to encourage more meaningful conversation?
From the community:
A3:) The main idea is not just to comment as much as to encourage people to talk with each other. This varies due to different product, service, market and audience type. In general I am thinking
– Live events
– Q&A sessions
– behind the scenes
– How to content #bufferchat
— Fouad (@fouad_khafaga) February 14, 2018
A3 to generate meaningful comments and engagement you need to have a customer service/social media strategy. You have to create quality content and also commit time, training and funds to growing and nurturing your communities. #bufferchat
— comfortwriter ??? (@ComfortWriter) February 14, 2018
A3: Aim to bring value to the conversation.
?Use follow-on questions to re-energize a conversation
?Add to someone’s comment for others to chime in
?Ask for input or ideas
?Use an amazing photo (place, people, emotion, action) as spark
#BufferChat pic.twitter.com/JQR4axei7M
— Raul Rovira ❄ (@RaulARovira) February 14, 2018
A3: Respond to *positive* comments – just like how Buffer does during #bufferchat. We have an instinct to respond to negative comments, but we need to interact with positive comments too. It build community & thanks people for commenting. pic.twitter.com/BU4O1yoPfg
— Kathryn LeBlanc? (@Kat_LeBlanc) February 14, 2018
See all the great answers to question 3 here!
Q4: Sharing is also an important positive interaction, what kind of content has been the most shareable for you?
From the community:
A4: Quote graphics often resonate with our social media followers, so they tend to get traction. #bufferchat
— Express Writers (@ExpWriters) February 14, 2018
A4: We’ve put a lot of effort into creating educational content, but time & time again our community content & posts about our team get picked up WAY more! #bufferchat
— Cass (@cassipolzin) February 14, 2018
A4: anything visual honestly. Memes, infographics & videos do the best. Plus injecting humor always helps! #bufferchat pic.twitter.com/Ik8r7GFx5K
— Joe Gill (@joegill88) February 14, 2018
A4: Videos and giveaways! They both garner the most quality views, likes, and comments and I always seem more website and pages traffic during and after posting them. #BufferChat pic.twitter.com/VfDhUkHNts
— Forrester Hinds (@ForresterHinds) February 14, 2018
See all the great answers to question 4 here!
Q5: Do you utilize Facebook groups to connect with your community? If not, would you consider it in the future?
From the community:
A5: Facebook Groups are a great way to connect with users! Letting the community ask each other questions and give tips and tricks is a great way to encourage positive, organic engagement while building a strong identity. #BufferChat [TK]
— ModSquad (@modsquad) February 14, 2018
A5: We do and will continue to. With some of the changes we have decided to start recommending it to some of our clients where it wasn’t as high of a priority before. #bufferchat
— Dark Mark Media (@darkmarkmedia) February 14, 2018
A5. Definitely considering it. FB groups remind me of Reddit, very focused groups of people. I like the idea, just working through how I would fit moderating it into my schedule. #bufferchat
— D Johnson Lindsay (@djohnsonlindsay) February 14, 2018
A5 Groups are DA BOMB. BUT they’re also a lot of work so don’t go there until you are prepared. #bufferchat
— Daria Steigman (@dariasteigman) February 14, 2018
See all the great answers to question 5 here!
Q6: What people, blogs, or other resources help keep your Facebook strategy up to date?
From the community:
A6: I follow Facebook’s own blog, @socialmedia2day, and watch for new courses on Facebook’s Blueprint to help me with keeping up-to-date on the latest features. #BufferChat. pic.twitter.com/JqC6F10cUc
— Forrester Hinds (@ForresterHinds) February 14, 2018
A6. Social Media Today & the American Marketing Association are favorites. Of course, Buffer does an amazing job. Love the in-depth guides! #bufferchat
— D Johnson Lindsay (@djohnsonlindsay) February 14, 2018
A6:) I know I will forget people and I do apologize to them in advance but
– Facebook business & Facebook blog
– @TheSocialMs Blog
– @Marketingland
– @AdEspresso
– @jonloomer
I have to share by #bufferlove with @buffer community. Interesting topics amazing people #bufferchat
— Fouad (@fouad_khafaga) February 14, 2018
A6: Various companies and people across social, including the amazing @jasminestar, and online publications like @SMExaminer. That’s just the tip of the iceberg! #bufferchat
— Erin Sanchez (@candidlyerin) February 14, 2018
See all the great answers to question 6 here!
Thank you so much to our awesome community for sharing such great insights in this chat!
Do you have any comments or answers to these questions? Leave your thoughts in the comments! We’d love to hear from you!
Image sources: UnSplash
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