Hey Fraudbook,
I was going to start this open letter with “Dear” like any open letter should but I’ve had my last straw with you.
Stop hurting my feelings.
Stop hiding my posts.
Stop using it as a form of extortion trying to force me to hand over my moula to your mighty, allconsuming, money hungry empire.
I get you’re a business. But dudes, I’m not!
Okay, okay, maybe I get a bit of product here and there for reviews and as for that occasional sponsored blog post?
Trust me: Chicken. Feed.
Nothing compared to your trillion, billion, gazillion annual turnover. (Yo, Mr. Z! How’s that workin’ out for you, by the way??)
Every Friday morning, FYBF news is instantly switched off at the source (That’d be you), stopping dead at the toll gates of sponsored posts (Yup. You again).
But FYBF is NON-COMMERCIAL. NON-PROFITABLE. PRO-BLOGGY LOVE!
How can you put a price on the integrity and genuine goodness of an online community?
Ultimately, you’re stopping a bunch of bloggers having a lighthearted catch up over a cup of coffee before our demanding children tear us back to reality?
Who with a normal beating heart would do that?
Didn’t your mamas ever tell you that capitalism is derived from all things trashy, irrelevant and click bait-y?
But go ahead. If you insist, keep blocking me.
But in return, please desist from insulting my peace loving, innocent, educated friends by encouraging us to Like The Association for Guns Rights page and bombarding our feeds with lowbrow stories of Kate Middleton’s derriere.
It’s your call.
Go ahead. Go for the bucks.
You ain’t gonna find any here.
Namaste,
Shalom,
Peace be with you and your disgraceful, moneybags enterprise.
Are you frustrated with Fraudbook? What tricks do you have to overcome the evils of the capitalist empire? Do share!
1. Follow With Some Grace.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the FYBF linky. Please only link up one post.
4. Grab the funky FYBF button and post it on your sidebar. Help spread the blogfloggin love.
5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love
This has been bothering me also! I have had a quieter week and haven’t blogged or really updated my FB page and the numbers really reflect this. I posted a blog post last night, shared a link on FB and the post had one view, ONE FREAKEN VIEW! Taking a deep breath now……………………..
Deb – An Inspirational Journey recently posted..Water, wonderful water!
I refuse to pay! So over their money grabbing tactics!
Nikki@WonderfullyWomen recently posted..How To Create Your Own Good Luck Charm Using Gemstones And Crystals
It’s a tough one isn’t it! You are right about the ‘Happy Family’ snaps being approved. I find these often to be my post popular posts! I’m not sure what to do about it anymore, sometimes I wish FB wouldn’t even show me the stats!
Lauren @ Create bake make recently posted..Fabulous Foodie Fridays #3 – Chocolate Weetbix Slice
It’s all about the money. Why does everything always have to be all about the money? 🙁
JM Peace recently posted..Smile, you’re on camera
No successful tricks to overcome the frustration here – just FB frustration. It is a hungry monster that FB – seems like the more you give the more it wants. Happy snaps always work, too bad about links :/
Josefa @always Josefa recently posted..Conversations with Prayer
I’ve never really used Facebook for my blog. It has always seemed like a lot of effort to stay on top of it all, with very little reward.
Vanessa recently posted..Life Styling
I’m finding it difficult to even put a photo up with my posts on Facebook. It wasn’t even showing my husband (who always likes and shares my post) the link. Grrrrrrr. They’ll end up losing a lot of people when something much better comes up.
Pinky Poinker recently posted..“Game of Moans”
I’m not on FB for the blog – too lazy and not hardworking like some (see what I did there?). I prefer twitter but I get a lot of US readers for the travel stuff…It seems to be a common complaint with most bloggers though…(refusing to pay and being ‘hidden’)
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Without a prayer…
I’ve given FB another try, but absolutely refuse to pay. I’m thinking it’s probably more trouble than it’s worth. It’s a shame, because a few years ago it was a great community.
IG for me x
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..Random Zen Ten. June
I still don’t get seen by everyone, but removing the link preview certainly helps me get seen by more. I’ve found that if I do 3 posts a day, one link (without preview), one photo and one status update, they do okay. Being bothered and/or thinking of relevant things to say is the problem! I refuse to share pointless memes.
Emily recently posted..Reading aloud to your children (sponsored post)
Yes! This! I don’t know what the answer is either, Grace. I know there’s supposed to be an algorithm, but there never seems to be any rhyme or reason to what gets most viewed, or most clicked on my page. Curiouser and frustrating-er. X
Bec | Mumma Tells recently posted..Following the Leader
I’ve automated my posts and try to ignore the reach entirely. I was spending far too much time trying to game the algorithm and not enough doing what I love: writing. I think we just need to accept Facebook is no longer our primary sharing tool (which is their loss) and use a variety of sources. Re FYBF, don’t worry, we all know you’re here:) I don’t think I’ve ever seen the FB post about it!
I accept their right to charge, but your argument is absolutely true. And unfortunately money talks.
I just wish people would move over to Google plus. It free and pretty much the same service.
Carolyn
Desire Empire recently posted..Historic Sandstone Home in Hunters Hill
You I’ve been getting some amazing views recently all because I shared a post and then 24 others shared my post of it and so far there’s been more than 5000 views!!! REDICK.
It’s a number games, the more people share or comment or like the more other people get to see it!!! HAPPY Friday xx
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
The only posts I’ve had any traction with are images. Blog post links, forget it. I’ve thought of giving it up too (and maybe I will!), so I do feel your pain:-( It’s like feeding a monster.
Denise recently posted..Why you don’t need permission to create your art
Just when I think I have Facebook figured out, they go and change the rules. I’m convinced there is something a miss with their numbers. One post had over 5k in views but another similar post 0 but at least 4 people had liked the post.
I’m pretty sure the fb numbers game is an attempt to get everyone to outlay money for sponsored posts. I refuse to. In the scheme of things, while FB does drive some traffic to the blog it’s not the be all and end all. Is it?
Mystery Case recently posted..The Perfect LBD | 52 Ways | Week 13 A Night on the Town
I’ve been getting decent reach lately and I think that’s because I’ve been sharing about 5-6 times a day. Thank goodness for scheduling. I’m managing to stay about 2-3 days ahead at the moment with my scheduling so it makes it a lot easier. I’ve also found using popular hashtags to the posts helps a lot. I’ve been managing to get around 300 seen by on my blog posts which I’ve never been able to do, because of hashtags.
Tegan Churchill recently posted..Time Travel
I find personal photos get more traction compared to other stuff for my FB page too. Well, I guess since most who like my page like to see more of my family hahahaha. I refuse to pay too and even if one does, it doesn’t guarantee that the people seeing your posts are the ones you want to target too.
Ai Sakura recently posted..China 2014 | Feiyue {飞跃}, Shulong {舒龙}, Warrior {回力} Shoes at Culture Matters, Shanghai
Totally agree with you Grace! My most popular posts are always my personal photos… Which is lovely but I want everyone seeing my recipes instead!!!! Xxx
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted..Fabulous Foodie Fridays #3 – Chocolate Weet-Bix Slice
Well said Grace! My FB feed stats are pretty abysmal. I am not as consistent with my posts as so many others & I think that is a problem too. I am trying to increase my presence & shares etc, but am also keen to put more on Google+ – it is a bit clunkier to use, but at least it doesn’t punish you for not being prepared to pay! 🙂
Jodie@FreshHomeCook recently posted..Pumpkin & Pistachio Cheesecake Stacks
I have such a tiny following Grace I have given up trying. I just post when I feel like it I am not a big talker so find it hard to start discussion and I am not into posting lots of memes. I agree with all that you have said though. I think us bloggers however really need to start a Facebook rebellion. Google + is actually pretty cool and easy to reach readers. Maybe we need to start a movement.
SarahD @SnippetsandSpirits recently posted..Use What you Have
Isn’t it so frustrating!!!! I find that when sharing to Facebook the best responses and views to my blog posts shares come when I share it as a photo, then put the link to the post in the status update section. Sharing them as links is hopeless. I share them both ways as the links are automatically posted when I update the blog, then I reshare the same post as a photo update. The second option always gets more views!!
Loved reading your post…nothing like a good vent!
Mandy, Barbie Bieber and Beyond recently posted..Stumble Into The Weekend – Link Up
HELLO YEAH. WITH YOU 1000%
I honestly think a lot of life with FB is bad for our mental health and wellbeing!
We could all use some more love and encouragement for what we do, not less!
Twitchy Sharon (@TwitchyCorner) recently posted..Big News At TwitchyCorner HQ…
You know what? I honestly think it’s all completely random, there’s no algorithm or rules and Mr Z is kicking back in his big-ass office with his feet on the desk laughing at all of us desperately trying to figure out something that he knows doesn’t even exist! How else could you explain a post with a supposed reach of 50 people getting 100 click thrus?! They make this stuff up as they go along, I’m sure of it!
Emma Fahy Davis recently posted..VIDEO: Australia’s Obesity Crisis
LOL!! You are probable right!
Sarah from Creating Contentment recently posted..Guest Post: Step Away
I find it really frustrating too, but using a variety of posts throughout the day on fb seems to help things a bit (e.g.: a photo, a statement/question, a link, another photo/pic etc) Although, that being said, any links I put up to my actual blog posts get the lowest ‘view/seen by’ rate. Annoying!!
Kirsten Smith recently posted..THE FRIDAY FIVE: FIRST WORLD PROBLEM EDITION
Soooooooooooo annoying isn’t it?! I wish I had the solution. We probably all do. Whoever does come up with a good fix-it has my attention.
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted..Apples Under My Bed
I’ve been trying so many different things to overcome the shit reach on Facebook, but in the last two weeks its gotten even worse. Photos definitely get the most reach and interaction, but be warned that if you share photos directly from your instagram to facebook now it doesnt count for any reach at all – it just started in the last week. Links always do bad. I’ve found tagging myself in photos makes the reach go higher.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..Mothers instinct.
My FB stats are pretty bad, but I’m a tiny blog, with only a few followers and don’t post regularly, so I expect only a small number of views. It does seem pretty common lately for much bigger pages to be getting limited views all because they won’t pay to promote a post. It’s pretty sad that what was started as a platform to keep people in contact with each other, is now just about the money.
Georgia recently posted..A Letter to Harry and Zach: Nine Months
Yes! Everything you said, Grace. FB has always been by biggest driver of traffic and lately it has led me to take a step back from everything and question what the eff I’m doing. I’m trying to just write for the enjoyment. Sucks though. I’m giving Pinterest a red hot crack, which is patchy so far but I can see the potential. I just need to spend some more time on my images and joining group boards.
But Facebook can kiss my scrawny pale arse.
Carolyn @ Champagne Cartel recently posted..Friday Fizz: bubbles of awesome from the web
Curious if you’d tried to add the link in comments? I’ve read that Facebook doesn’t like sharing links if you’ve over a certain amount of followers. Does putting the link in comments help your reach?
Sarah from Creating Contentment recently posted..creative writing
It could be a full time job keeping up with the system, and ways to beat the system, that Facebook uses to calculate who and what will get reach and/or engagement. A lot of people are frustrated with Facebook right now. I do love a good angry rant that still ends with Namaste!
Lara @ This Charming Mum recently posted..Review: Edward and the Great Discovery by Rebecca McRitchie & Celeste Hulme
It really is concerning as most of my traffic comes from Facebook. When I reply to people’s comments I tag their name and this seems to help improve things.
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me recently posted..Dressing my age – a lesson learned the hard way
I have paid to boost posts and it did very little and now that I don’t pay I still don’t get much. I refuse to get frustrated as it is what it is. X
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..How Confident are You?
There’s nothing that gets on my goat more. Seriously. It’s making me all antsy just thinking about it.
And what gets me even more testy… we can do nothing about it. Not a single thing. Grr! At least we can all vent together!
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: The Best Pub View in the Country (& Other Things)
Goodness. Words fail me. Makes me a teensy bit pleased I don’t have FB and am basically, a technophobe.
🙂
Lee-Anne recently posted..The right time.
I don’t even have a FB page for my blog. It is too hard! I had one for the photography “business” but that was just about impossible to get people to see things too.
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..A New Day
Yes I noticed I wasn’t getting your posts anymore! 🙁
Oh I hear you Grace!!!
Bek Mugridge recently posted..The Edible Garden Adventure Begins at Woolworths with Jamie Oliver’s Garden Collectibles
Between the hiding of posts and the adverts for cosmetic surgeons and miracle weight loss fruits on my sidebar FB is really starting to P%$# me off! And Twitter is becoming a bun fight.
Mumabulous recently posted..Non Transcendence
Oh I know exactly how you feel!! It’s frustrating!! I have paid the minimum of $5 twice not because that particular FB post was urgently needed to be seen by more but purely for research purposes and let me tell you – SO MANY more people SEE when you pay! C’est la vie – I am not paying unless I really want something to be seen and even then – I will never pay more than the $5 minimum 🙂 That statement may make me a liar when I launch my new photography business and/or my new blog! Hmmm :-)) As you were! xo
Min@MinsMash recently posted..The last day in my 40′s
I have to admit I just don’t seem to get much love in any form from Facebook.
Few people “like” my page – maybe that don’t like my pictures, post links and links to other articles I found interesting.
Of those that do “like my page few see these posts and if by chance they do see it they seem to “unlike” it.
So these days I rarely do much on Facebook as there is so much more love out there on Twitter, Pinterest and Google+.
Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted..New Cruise Ships to Australia
I hear you. I am sick of the pitches to me like I am business. The last few were wanting me to PAY to post their crap on my piece of internet real estate. Go figure.
Bronnie – Maid In Australia recently posted..Shopping like superheroes
Time to ditch Facebook! I only post every second day or so. Totally over it! I am having a brilliant time on Twitter, Google Plus and Instagram however. Much more traffic is coming to me from these sites. Once Facebook was my main feed until their changes.
I hate all the ads on FB.
I haven’t seen a post of yours on FB in ages! Are you still doing FLS?! I am not surr if I am missing the boat every fortnight or if social media just ain’t social anymore!
Jody at Six Little Hearts recently posted..Introducing Mr Earl Tea and An Apple Tea Cake Recipe – A Review and Giveaway
I hace no idea who sees what and how many and all that as I don’t bother looking at the stats too much! I think we need to get in the habit of liking and commenting on each others FB posts when they do show up so we can spread the love that way!
Zita recently posted..for some cuteness
It’s so frustrating! I have no tricks or tips, unfortunately. I think Facebook will soon see people leaving them behind for this very reason.
Becky from BeckyandJames.com recently posted..Can’t Win | Wordless Wednesday
Frustrated. Grumpy. Worn out.
Oh well, at least it means I waste less time on it!
Francesca recently posted..Birthday Week 2014
LOVE This Grace, I wrote a blog post about this very topic awhile back…{https://www.newlifeontheroad.com/new-facebook-rules/} because our page is hardly ever showing up in peoples news feeds and no I do not want to pay so that our friends can find us.
Actually did you read about Facebook App that has access to your mobile phone through your speakers? It can hear every thing that you are saying if the phone is turned on and is next to you – its the Facebook Messenger App – its target more ads towards what you are speaking about. For example if you are talking about Music then the facebook ads will pop up on your page that cater for your music taste. I took the app off my smart phone cause I don’t want my family privacy invaded. Scary how much Facebook has taken over with social media!
Lisa Wood recently posted..Vivid Sydney 2014
I try all different things, some work, some don’t. I do question their analytics though as quite often I will be told that only 6 people have seen a post, however 14 people have liked it! How the hell does that work. I had one today tell me I had reached 1 person… but there were 4 likes on the post. I just keep doing what I’m doing, becoming friends with bloggers to my personal profile and then sharing the page posts to my personal one as well. I’m on Facebook far too much to give up yet, and it is still my biggest referring social media but unless I get paid to do a post I won’t be paying for anything!
Kylie Purtell recently posted..Tales from the ICU