The Facebook "Subscribe" vs. Facebook Page Dilemma
Facebook has always been about sharing between friends ... until last week's announcement of the Subscribe button. This change is most likely due to the mounting pressure that Google+ is bringing with the circles functionality and its ability for public content consumption. While the Facebook subscribe button helps to combat this, it also muddies the water on how to properly use Facebook if you are a public figure.
The Rise Of Pages
To really understand this dilemma, we need to take a look back through the timeline of Facebook. 
Initially, Facebook was for people and profiles fit this need. Groups were introduced in order to help people connect and rally around causes. In late 2007 Facebook Pages were announced (along with Ads) to give brands a home within the network. Then back in early 2009 Facebook allowed Pages to display in news feeds much like profiles, giving pages even more of a presence. Along the way Facebook gave pages the ability to act as a public outlet for "organizations, businesses, celebrities, and bands."
Pages have now been refined to:
- Businesses & Places
- Companies & Organizations
- Brands & Products, Entertainment
- Causes & Community
- Artist, Bands or Public Figures
The problem lies within that last category as you can create public Facebook pages for Doctors, Journalists, Chefs, Coaches and much more:
Those who were looking to expand their message to more than just their friends were told to do so with a page .. and many people did just that! These public figure pages allowed for communication between a person and people and other users that might not be official Facebook friends. People adopted this feature for two main reasons, pages allowed users to keep personal information protected and that Facebook profiles only allow for 5000 friends while pages are unlimited.
The Difference Of Subscribe
So now with the launch of "subscribe" users can share inform
ation with other users who aren't their actual friends without having to act as a Facebook page. The main benefit of this? Convenience. Essentially, the subscribe button allows users to update those subscribed while directly on their Facebook homepage. No signing in as a 'page' is required. Updating via subscribe can also be completed quickly on a mobile device. That is where the benefits stop however. Currently the "profile with subscribe" doesn't have insights and doesn't allow for the same targeting as a Facebook Page.
Facebook also came out with a checklist on the exact features:
Early signs also show that the subscribe feature works quite well in driving traffic and may allow users to get a stronger subscription following than they could by having people "like" a page.
So What Should You Use?
If you are a public figure looking to choose between subscribing with profiles or using a Facebook page, you should choose: both. Right now, there simply is no way of knowing which feature will arise as the winner.
In my opinion, the page will be the option left standing. Most users think of Facebook as a place for friends instead of a place to subscribe to those who aren't your friends, but in order to be safe - you should take an extra minute to maintain both.
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Meet the Author
Greg Finn
Greg is the Head of Performance and Innovation for Cypress North's digital marketing team and one of the founders of our agency. In 2010, he and Matt Mombrea started Cypress North in Buffalo. Greg oversaw the opening of our second office in 2022, located in his hometown of Rochester.
As Head of Performance and Innovation, Greg co-manages our digital marketing department and works closely with our team to ensure all our clients achieve the best possible results. He is always looking for ways to test new digital marketing techniques and technology, and oversees all teaching and training efforts to ensure our agency stays ahead of the curve.
Greg is also a co-host of our weekly Marketing O'Clock podcast, where he and the team provide updates, insights, and hot takes on the latest SEO, PPC, and social media marketing news. In addition to weekly news shows, Greg hosts our Marketing O'Torial digital marketing tutorials and often co-hosts bonus Marketing O'Talk episodes that bring together panels of digital marketing experts.
With nearly two decades of experience, Greg is a known and trusted voice in the digital marketing community. He’s a contributor for Search Engine Land, a member of the Search Marketing Expo (SMX) programming team, and has been a featured speaker at some of the largest search engine conferences, including SMX, eSummit, and Pubcon.
When he’s not working or staying updated on the latest trends, Greg enjoys watching his kids play sports and coaching their soccer team. He’s been named the runner-up “Greg of the Year” on Marketing O’Clock’s annual Clockscars Awards four years in a row. While the coveted award has evaded him for many years, Keanu Reeves has not. Greg once saw him at Gabriel's Gate tavern in Buffalo (and noted he was very tall.)
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Great post Greg. I tend to agree that using both Subscribe and Pages is a wise strategy for public figures given that you don't know right now which in the end will be the favored route... I do think facebook needs to get a bit more detailed with the "categories" and "taxonomy" of pages...and for sure facebook needs to improve internal search for brand pages.
Exactly! When in doubt, take an extra minute and do both!
What are your thoughts on businesses? Would it be beneficial for them to take the same approach?
With businesses you can only go with the page option. In order to subscribe to someone, they have to be a profile. A profile has to be an actual person... so right now, businesses aren't eligible.
So in short - go with a page!
Thank you for the information and taking the time to explain this issue. I've never been a big self promoter (all though of course I am working on that now) and I must admit I was very confused about the whole affair before reading your article. Kisses!
Very cool post. Just noticed the subscribe concept the other day and was wondering what the difference between Like and Subscribe was. Googled it and found your post. Perfect. Thanks.
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