Facebook profile, Facebook Fan Page, and Facebook Group?

For many people who use Facebook the different types of Facebook profiles and pages that are available can be difficult to understand. A lot of people get confused by the differences between a Facebook profile page (or your personal page), a Facebook Fan Page, and a Facebook Group. Each profile or page serves a different purpose and each one functions just a little bit differently. While you probably do not need all 3, it is good to understand the difference between them.

1. A personal Facebook profile

A personal Facebook profile is what you get when you sign up with Facebook under your own name. After entering all your information and confirming your account you are all set-up and ready to start! Based on your email address, Facebook will suggest people you already know and then those people can suggest others you may know to help you out.

On your personal Facebook profile you will have the ability to add friends and accept friend requests. You will be able to send these friends private messages and write on their public walls. Your friends can communicate with you in the same way. You will also have what’s known as a ‘home page’ or a ‘news feed’. On this page, which only you can see, it will display all of the activities of your friends.

You are only allowed to have 5,001 friends on Facebook, once you reach that number they won’t allow you to accept or add any new friends.

2. A Facebook Fan Page

Your Facebook Fan Page is going to be the main page of your business, your service, or it will be your page if you are a public figure. It’s meant for businesses to be able to connect with their customers, clients, and fans.

A Fan Page will operate in a similar fashion as your profile page, but with a few major differences. You have a public wall and a section to list your events, photos, and information. However, the only time you can respond to a friend ‘as your business name’ will be on your own wall. You cannot send people private messages or write on their walls.

Another essential difference, and the biggest benefit, is that anyone can ‘Like’ your Fan Page without having to be approved. Once someone has ‘liked’ your page, any updates you post will show up in their news feed. Unlike a personal profile, there is no limit to the amount of ‘fans’ you can have.

Make sure you check your Fan Page regularly (at the very least once a day), as Facebook does not alert you by email if a Fan has asked a question or written on the wall of your Fan Page.

3. Facebook Group

Facebook Groups are usually created around a mutual interest of the people involved. Groups are able to communicate privately between members and are a great tool for people with a common interest.

The major difference between a Facebook Group and a Facebook Fan Page is that any public communications between group members will not show up on a news feed. Members will have to visit the group regularly to see any new activity or will have to be alerted of new activity through private messages.

Which Facebook Page or profile do you use the most? and which one do you like the best?

If you still have question about the different types of Facebook accounts, do not hesitate to send me an email or comment [kristen@pxymarketing.com].