Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Steps to Block Someone from Following Your Facebook Page

by Edie Melson

I've gotten a lot requests for directions on how to block someone from a professional Facebook Page. It's not all that difficult, but you have to know what to look for.

Although I encourage Facebook users to try methods other than blocking first, sometimes it’s necessary to block someone from following your Facebook Page. Also note that your page can be followed by a person or another page. The directions to block them are the same for either. But before you take those steps, here are some good reasons to proceed with this drastic step:

  • If the person is stalking you online or physically and you feel threatened. In this instance it’s important to limit their access to your information.
  • If the person or page is posting obscene or objectionable material on your Facebook page. This could include things with sexual components, hate-filled posts, or things that make you feel threatened.
  • If the person is using your page as a free advertising platform, promoting themselves or their product.

Facebook, like Twitter, pays attention to user accounts that have been permanently banned (more on that terminology later). They will frequently flag the banned account so only take this step if truly necessary.

NOTE: a personal squabble, hurt feelings, or intent to harm someone’s online reputation is not, in my personal opinion, a legitimate reason to ban someone.

As I said, this is an extreme action. But there are some times when it is the right and best thing to do. You should not sacrifice your own feelings of online security in the desire to be nice.

Steps to Ban Someone From Following Your Facebook Page
NOTE: These are steps for a page, not for a personal profile. I will share those directions in a later post, if necessary.

Step One: Go to your FB page and look in the Admin Insights section. This will usually pop up when you go to your page. Click on the SEE LIKES panel (pink arrow in the screenshot below).

Step Two: Scroll down the list until you find the offending person or page. You will see a small light gray X beside the MAKE ADMIN option. Click on the X and chose okay to remove them from the page or click on the box next to BAN PERMANENTLY. If you choose okay, they will no longer receive updates from your page. But they will have the option to come back and LIKE your page again. If you’re dealing with a stalker, I recommend you ban them permanently. If it’s just an irritation, like posting ads on your page, start with removing them. Then, if they don’t get the hint and LIKE your page again, you can take the added step of banning them permanently. See what I’m referring to in the screenshot below.


And that's all there is too it. Now it's time for your questions. Be sure to post them in the comments section below.

Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie

TWEETABLES

Step-by-step instructions to block someone from following your Facebook Page - via Social Media Mentor @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

If you need to block someone from following your professional Facebook page @EdieMelson has step-by-step instructions (Click to Tweet)

10 comments:

  1. I've banned permanently people who post extremely offensive language. It might be a good idea to meet a list of those you've "unlikes" so if they come back, you know it's round 2 for them. :)

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    1. Ane, that's an excellent idea. Thanks so much for chiming in. Blessings, E

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  2. I had to take this step the other day. Your instructions were greatly appreciated.

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    1. Susan, your question reminded me that I'd planned this post about a month ago and it got preempted. Blessings, E

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  3. This isn't exactly on topic, but I'm wondering, with so many social media sites to keep up with, is it wise for me, an unpublished writer (hoping to publish a YA novel) with only 88 likes on my Facebook Page, to continue to invest time and energy in the page (given Facebook's new algorithm re: Pages). I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks!

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    1. Julia, this is an excellent question! I believe that FB pages are less and less relevant for those of us who already have a vibrant community of FB friends on our personal profiles. My advice is this, don't delete your page, but spend your effort on your personal profile and other sites where you have more success. Blessings, E

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  4. Thanks for the advice and answering so quickly!

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  5. Here's a question,,, I have banned a person from my profile but they are trying to contact me through my page. For some reason Facebook allows this. Any way to keep them off of my page as well?

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    1. Soolah, you can. Here's a link to step-by-step instructions on how to do that: https://www.facebook.com/help/185897171460026. The link won't be clickable here in the comment, just copy and paste it into your browser and it should take you to the information you need. Blessings, E

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