Is Content from Pages You "Like" Showing Up in Your News Feed?

When we create a Facebook  "fan page," we naturally assume that when someone "Likes" the page, the content posted to that page will show up in their news feed. Right?

As it turns out, that's actually not true. I am not sure about the actual algorithm, but it seems that it requires people not only clicking "Like," but also interacting with the content, commenting on it, sharing it, etc. All of these factors seem to play into whether or not the content from that particular page shows up automatically in the news feed.

If you currently like my page (Facebook.com/DrFrankBuck), but are not seeing its content in your news feed, here is what to do:

1. Go to the page.
2. Hover over the "Liked" button. Hopefully, you will see a drop-down menu.
3. One of the options is "Show in News Feed." Select that one.

I am not sure if taking that action will bring all of the content to your news feed. It seems this is one of those "moving targets" social media brings our way.

By the way, if you have not already "Liked" the page, why not do so now? The content you will find there consists of quotes I have collected over the years, notices about new blog posts, and links to other content I think readers would like.

By the way, when the page reaches 200 "Likes," I will give away a copy of  Get Organized!: Time Management for School Leaders or Organization Made Easy: Tools for Today's Teachers. Right now, we are at 180 "Likes." Only 20 more to go! If you have already "Liked" the page, you are already eligible. If you haven't, come on over and get your name in the hat.

"Like Us" on Facebook Page or Follow on Twitter

This blog is the heart and soul of my online presence. A blog post is long enough to communicate an idea, back it up with examples and supporting arguments, and leave you with an invitation as to the action you may want to take. Blogs are also ever-changing. New content appears regularly, and should.

Sometimes, the message is short, and that's where Facebook and Twitter come in handy. When someone else has posted content of interest, or when top news stories interface with the subjects central to this blog, those two avenues provide quick and easy ways to bring that content to you.

Secondly, I use Twitter and Facebook for short highlights about my day-to-day professional activities. Third, when new blog posts appear here, Facebook and Twitter are great vehicles to let you know, so that you never miss a post.

Finally, I hope to see the Facebook page grow into a place for discussion. For the most part, people seldom comment on blog posts, but regularly comment on Facebook. In addition, Facebook automatically brings the new information to your page, and once you comment, you are notified about other people's comments.

If you have a Twitter account, I invite you to follow me. If you have a Facebook account, consider "Liking" our page.  By the way, when the Facebook page reaches 200 "Likes," one of those 200 will receive a free copy of Get Organized! or Organization Made Easy!

I hope this blog brings you information that makes your life a little easier and more enjoyable in some way. I hope these other outlets will be helpful to you as well.

Facebook for BlackBerry

Part of the fun of Facebook is being able to view it from anywhere. Free apps for your mobile phone make that possible. I use Facebook for BlackBerry. Click the link to visit the site where you can download it. You can download a similar app for the iPhone or one for the Android.

My Facebook app allows me to match my Facebook Friends with their contact in Outlook. The profile picture for the friend then appears in Outlook as well as other information being shared between the two records.

Facebook Privacy Settings for Teens

In the last post, you heard about a comprehensive guide for parents. This post references the same organization which brought you that guide. This chart provides a chart listing recommended privacy settings for teens.

A Parent's Guide to Facebook

Both Facebook and online safety are hot topics in today's society. This guide, written by Anne Collier and Larry Magid of ConnectSafely.org, ahev written A Parent's Guide to Facebook. Click the link to download this free, 34 page guide. calm your fears by increasing your knowledge.

Most Popular Posts

Blogger has added a "stats" tab. It has evidently been there since May, but I just noticed it a couple of weeks ago. One of the neat features is the ability to see which posts have the most hits. Here are the top three posts:

1. Test Item Analysis Calculator (from June 10, 2010) What if students could sit down computers, take a test, and have the computer return to the teacher a spreadsheet containing the student names and their answers. Furthermore, each answer is graded correct or incorrect, an average calculated for the student, and item analysis performed on each question. That what this post is all about. If this is something that your school would like to pilot, email me and let's talk. This post has received 498 hits.
2. Understanding Facebook Privacy Settings (from July 6, 2010) While we love to communicate through Facebook, we are understandably concerned about our personal information falling into the hands of strangers who have questionable motives. This post received 171 hits.
3. 20+ Ways to use the Flip Video in the Classroom (from August 21, 2010) This post explores exactly what the title says. It has received 139 hits.

Most Popular Posts

Blogger has added a "stats" tab. It has evidently been there since May, but I just noticed it a couple of weeks ago. One of the neat features is the ability to see which posts have the most hits. Here are the top three posts:

1. Test Item Analysis Calculator (from June 10, 2010) What if students could sit down computers, take a test, and have the computer return to the teacher a spreadsheet containing the student names and their answers. Furthermore, each answer is graded correct or incorrect, an average calculated for the student, and item analysis performed on each question. That what this post is all about. If this is something that your school would like to pilot, email me and let's talk. This post has received 508 hits.
2. Understanding Facebook Privacy Settings (from July 6, 2010) While we love to communicate through Facebook, we are understandably concerned about our personal information falling into the hands of strangers who have questionable motives. This post received 173 hits.
3. 20+ Ways to use the Flip Video in the Classroom (from August 21, 2010) This post explores exactly what the title says. It has received 140 hits.

Phone Numbers Available on Facebook...Good Thing or Bad Thing?

I found out today, through a post from a Facebook friend, that you can see the phone numbers of all your friends. Go to the top right of your screen, click "Account" then "Edit Friends." Go to the left side of your screen and click the link that says "Phonebook."

Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Personally, I think this is a pretty neat feature to have and will make getting in touch with my friends by phone easier. After all, publishing phone numbers is nothing new. If it were not for phone companies publishing those phone directories, what would people tear in half to show off their strength?

The thing for us all to think about is whether we want our phone number visible to others. To edit this information, go to "Privacy Settings." Click "Customize Settings." Scroll to "Contact Information." beside each drop-down menu, scroll to "Customize" and choose "Only Me" to completely hide phone numbers from everyone, if that's what you want to do. It's sort of the same thing as having an unlisted phone number in the directory. Of course, if you never put your phone number in Facebook to start with, Facebook is not going to be able to give it out anyway.

Actually the people I would really like my phone number from are all of the political candidates with their recorded messages, but that's another story for another day.

Understanding Facebook Privacy Settings

Facebook's privacy settings seem to be ever-changing, yet staying on top of them is naturally of concern to most of us. This video explains the latest in Facebook's privacy settings.

Be Careful About Who You "Friend" on Facebook

This study shows that many people are far to willing to share personal information with total strangers on Facebook.

Avoid Facebook and Twitter Disasters

Social networks are great for keeping in touch with others. At the same time, what you put out there for the world to see can come back to haunt you. This article, taken from the August issue of PC World, gives tips for avoiding the pitfalls.