There are some key differences between Facebook pages and Facebook accounts. Understanding these differences is important for anyone looking to establish a presence on Facebook.
Facebook Accounts
A Facebook account represents an individual person. When you create a Facebook account, you are asked to provide your real name and information. Facebook accounts are intended to be used by real people to connect with friends, family, and other personal connections.
With a Facebook account, you can:
- Connect with friends and family
- Share updates, photos, videos, and other personal content
- Message individual users
- Join groups related to your interests
- Check-in at locations
- Buy and sell items on Marketplace
- Use Facebook dating
- Create fundraisers
Facebook accounts have privacy settings that allow you to control who can see your posts, photos, information, and more. Your account represents your personal identity on Facebook.
Facebook Pages
A Facebook page is different from a personal profile. Pages allow businesses, brands, celebrities, causes, and other entities to create an official presence on Facebook.
With a Facebook page, you can:
- Promote a business, brand, product, or service
- Engage with customers and build a community
- Share news, offers, and other updates
- Sell products or services
- Raise awareness for a cause or organization
Pages are public and visible to everyone by default. Admins can post content, respond to messages and comments, analyze page insights, and run advertising campaigns from a page.
Key Differences
While accounts and pages can have some overlapping capabilities, there are some core differences:
Purpose
Accounts are for personal use to represent an individual. Pages are for entities like businesses, brands, causes, etc.
Privacy
Accounts have privacy settings and controls. Pages are public by default.
Admins
Accounts only have one account owner. Pages can have multiple admins.
Friends/Followers
Accounts send friend requests to other users. Pages have followers who like the page to see updates.
Messaging
Accounts can message friends directly. Pages generally communicate publicly via posts, except for advertising accounts that can message users who have previously interacted with the page.
Algorithms
Accounts appear in the feeds of friends. Pages have a separate algorithm that determines reach and impressions.
Verification
Accounts cannot be verified. Pages can be officially verified with a blue checkmark.
Profile Information
Accounts contain personal info like relationship status, family, education, etc. Page profile information relates to the entity, not people running it.
Reviews
Accounts do not have reviews. Pages can be rated and reviewed by Facebook users.
Types of Facebook Pages
There are different types of pages oriented towards specific uses:
Business Pages
For companies, brands, stores, restaurants, and professional services. Allow customers to find and engage with the business.
Community Pages
For communities, groups, clubs, teams, and non-profit organizations. Help connect members online.
Artist Pages
For musicians, actors, creators, influencers, and other public figures. Promote creative work and engage fans.
Entertainment Pages
For movies, TV shows, games, podcasts, books, and other entertainment properties. Share updates, media, and info about entertainment brands.
Cause Pages
For social causes, non-profit campaigns, and other issue-based initiatives. Rally support, share stories, and raise awareness.
Politician Pages
For government officials, candidates, and political parties. Share viewpoints, campaign information, events, and news.
Creating a Facebook Page
Pages are simple to set up, even if you already have an individual account:
- Go to www.facebook.com and click “Create New Page” or go directly to www.facebook.com/pages/create
- Choose a category that best fits your purpose – ex. Business/brand, Entertainment, Community or Public Figure
- Fill out the required information including name, category, description, etc.
- Select a profile picture and cover photo to represent your page visually
- Click the “Get Started” button and your new page is live
Once your page is up, invite friends to like it, publish content regularly, respond to comments and messages, add apps and utilize other Facebook features for pages.
Managing a Facebook Page
Managing a successful Facebook page requires some ongoing efforts:
- Post engaging content daily or weekly
- Respond promptly to comments and messages
- Promote your page to build followers
- Analyze page insights to improve efforts
- Use Facebook ads to reach more users
- Collaborate with any other admins
- Establish policies and community guidelines
Facebook offers many tools and options to make managing pages easier, such as scheduled posts, welcome messages, menus, badges, roles, and more.
Page Roles and Admins
Facebook pages can have multiple administrators and roles:
Page Admin
- Has full control over the page
- Can edit page info, publish as the page, moderated content, assign roles, etc.
- Adds other admins
Editor
- Can edit page info, post as the page, create ads, see insights
- Can’t add/remove admins or edit roles
Moderator
- Can respond to and delete comments and posts
- Can send messages as the page
- Can see page insights and assign other moderators
Advertiser
- Can manage ads and view analytics
- Cannot post or comment as the page
Administrators control the different levels of access. Multiple people can manage different aspects of a page without having full control.
Facebook Groups vs. Pages
Facebook groups are also used for shared interests separate from individual profiles. So how are groups different than pages?
Facebook groups are oriented towards more personal communication between members who join. They have privacy settings and are not visible publicly. Some key differences include:
| Facebook Groups | Facebook Pages |
|---|---|
| For small, personal connections around shared interests or experiences | For businesses, brands, organizations, causes, etc. to have an official presence |
| Must be added or request to join | Publicly visible – anyone can view or follow |
| Post seen only by members | Posts seen by page followers and the public |
| Private or secret settings | Public by default |
| Single group admin | Can have multiple page admins and roles |
| Members interact as individuals | Page represents a single entity |
| Less tools and options | Advanced tools like analytics, ads, etc. |
Groups and pages serve different but complementary purposes on Facebook. Businesses and organizations may maintain both groups and pages as part of their Facebook presence.
Conclusion
Facebook pages represent businesses, brands, organizations, public figures, and other entities. Personal Facebook accounts are intended for individual people to connect and share with friends and family.
Understanding the core differences between pages and accounts helps ensure you are using Facebook properly and effectively for personal or professional goals.