Facebook Rolls Out Recommendations

The ever evolving Facebook platform changes once again with the introduction of Facebook Recommendations. Over the next few days “places” page owners will see a new box on the right side of the screen where users (aka “likers”) can make a recommendation. With the popularity of review sites like Yelp, Google Places, and Urban Spoon, Facebook is making another shot across the bow to world domination.

The Places Recommendation offers page owners a great organic growth tool and promoting platform. A recommendations from a user carries strength. When a page user posts a recommendation the text shows up on their profile and thus in the feed of their friends. This ‘recommendation’ carries a stronger visual weight because it shows the places page logo and the recommendation. When a use posts on a page wall it only shows as a truncated text message.

Suggested Uses

Building a ‘like’ base is important to relationship marketing and social networking. These likes translate into revenue and store traffic. The instant connection with ‘likers’ is powerful element for business growth. Try these three ideas for getting recommendations:

1. Post an occasional status update asking those who ‘like’ the page to post a recommendation.
2. Give people who visit your physical location an opportunity to post a recommendation while they are there by using an iPad or from their smart phone.
3. Offer an incentive reward to users who post a recommendation (i.e. 10% off for all posted recommendations).

Q&A

Who sees the recommendation?

A. The recommendation will show up on the users wall and in their friends feed. When posting the recommendation there is an option to make the text visible to everyone or just to friends.

Can page admins hide a recommendation?

A. If you’re a page admin, you can hide public recommendations that everyone can see. Just hover over the recommendation post you want to hide and click ‘x’. To see a full list of public recommendations for your place, click the See All link in the Recommendations box.

Visit the Facebook/help page for more info.

What are your thoughts on this new feature. I would love to hear your ideas or “recommendations” in the comments.

About the Author

Josh Wade is the owner of Nectar Tasting Room, Spokane Wine Magazine and Nectar Media. Josh used the power of relationship marketing to build a following and a brand for a business before opening. Relationship marketing and social media has helped drive successful business revenue without the need to spend money on traditional marketing. Nectar Wine Blog receives 12,000-20,000 page views per month and ranks in the top wine blogs in the country for engagement, traffic, and readership. Learn more about Nectar Media here.