Facebook To Remove Fake Likes

Been buying Facebook Likes to make your page seem, well, more likable? Know a site that has? Facebook doesn’t like that, and now it’s taking steps to remove those it deems fake.

Writing today on the Facebook blog, the company said the change is likely to impact less than 1% of the Likes for any particular page and will aim to remove Likes such as those generated by malware, “deceived” users or purchases.

From the post:

We have recently increased our automated efforts to remove Likes on Pages that may have been gained by means that violate our Facebook Terms.

On average, less than 1% of Likes on any given Page will be removed, providing they and their affiliates have been abiding by our terms.

These newly improved automated efforts will remove those Likes gained by malware, compromised accounts, deceived users, or purchased bulk Likes.

Of course, some sites that have depended on fake Likes will likely see much more than 1% of their Likes take a hit.

About The Author

Danny Sullivan

Danny Sullivan was a journalist and analyst who covered the digital and search marketing space from 1996 through 2017. He was also a cofounder of Third Door Media, which publishes Search Engine Land, Marketing Land, MarTech Today and produces the SMX: Search Marketing Expo and MarTech events. He retired from journalism and Third Door Media in June 2017. You can learn more about him on his personal site & blog He can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.