What Not to Post on Facebook: 13 Mistakes to Avoid

Facebook marketing often feels more fun and casual than designing paid ads or billboards. But don’t let all the memes and silly behind-the-scenes videos fool you: Facebook is still high stakes for businesses.

Simple missteps can hurt your brand reputation and have customers side-eyeing your content. But a little attention to detail will help your brand shine. Here’s what not to post on Facebook and tips to help you grow your business on the world’s biggest social media platform.

The content that scares customers away

Bad Facebook posts are easy to spot, especially when you understand what users care about. Here’s how to create uplifting content that brings people in instead of chasing them off. 

Differentiate your business without putting others down

Most people don’t log on to Facebook to get bombarded with negativity. Try to bash your competitors or other products, and your audience may lose trust — or even turn on you. 

McDonald’s learned this lesson the hard way when its Mexican Facebook page posted an ad saying, “Tamales are a thing of the past.” Fans reacted with outrage, and the company quickly issued an apology. 

Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t stir up a little friendly competition. Feel free to post playful banter, as long as you’re not tearing down other brands or stepping on smaller businesses. Wendy’s, for instance, often posts silly jabs at competitors, but it never says their food is disgusting or dangerous. 

Elevate your brand: The power of positive engagement

The best Facebook content is uplifting and inspiring, not competitive. Connect with your audience by sharing how you’ve overcome challenges, like revamping a product that didn’t quite land the first time. And, of course, always respond to negative feedback or complaints with grace and professionalism. 

Posts that make you look like a pro 

When you understand what not to post on Facebook, it’s much easier to step up your marketing game. 

Check your grammar and spelling

Typos might seem like no big deal, but too many will hurt your credibility. Someone might wonder, “If they can’t even use a comma the right way, how can I trust them to make safe products?” 

Proofread your Facebook posts with editing software like Grammarly, or read them out loud to catch awkward phrasing. You should also steer clear of any abbreviations or slang (“no cap!”) that may confuse readers. 

Use high-quality images and visual content 

Facebook users often scroll at lightning speed, sometimes with a TV show or simmering dinner in the background. Stop them in their tracks with sharp, quality images that fit Facebook’s sizing guidelines. 

Resist the urge to use generic stock photos, which customers may have already seen floating around the internet. Blurry or pixelated photos are also a no-go, unless you’re trying to channel a 2008 aesthetic. 

Protect your safety and privacy

Sharing authentic content is great. Oversharing? Not so much. Here’s what not to post on Facebook for security reasons. 

Balance what you share

Giving out too much information can attract scammers, so don’t share birthdates or personal addresses. You should also avoid announcing job sites — which could tip off thieves — or financial data like revenue. For example, you can share a photo of an employee celebrating their birthday without saying their age.

Protect your customers’ privacy 

It’s natural to want to brag about your clients, but always ask permission first. Satisfied customers may be delighted to let you post a photo of them posing with a product. Or you can invite them to share a short video testimonial for your Facebook page. 

User-generated content is another gold mine, but always get permission and credit the creator. 

Posting frequency and timing mistakes

Sometimes, “bad” Facebook posts just landed at the wrong time. Finding the right rhythm is key. 

The “post and run” strategy that kills engagement

Some brands post regularly but never engage. That strategy doesn’t work because it ignores the most important element of social media marketing: relationship building. 

Set aside a few minutes every morning to respond to comments and messages. You can also encourage interaction by polling your audience or asking them to weigh in on trending topics.

Too much vs. too little: Finding your sweet spot 

Posting multiple times a day can be overwhelming for your audience (and your creative team). But rarely sharing content could make the Facebook algorithm ignore you. Experiment with different posting schedules and use Facebook Insights to see which approaches get the most interaction. 

Content strategy mistakes that hurt your business

Add these common errors to your list of what not to post on Facebook. 

Being too salesy all the time

Nobody logs onto Facebook and says, “I wonder what type of product somebody’s going to try and sell me today!”

Aim to share around 80% educational content and 20% promotional. Make sure even your sales content has value by weaving promotions with helpful tips or solutions. 

Generic, impersonal posts that don’t connect 

Local customers want to connect with real people, not soulless robots. Spice up your business content with anecdotes and stories that show your personality. 

For example, the owner of NEO Pet and Working Dog humanizes their brand by filming herself talking about her favorite products and how she uses them.

Technical and setup tips to help you succeed

How you set up your page matters just as much as knowing what not to post on Facebook. 

Profile vs. page: Getting the basics right

Your business might feel like your entire life sometimes, but it’s not. Protect your personal details by creating a separate Facebook Page just for your company. Use local keywords — like “mechanic in Austin” — in your bio and choose relevant categories to help customers find you with the search bar.  

Posting content that works 

Now that you know what not to post on Facebook, here’s how to create ultra-clickable content. 

Content that builds trust and authority 

Flaunt your expertise with educational posts, like quick videos that show how anyone can use complex tools. Mix it up with behind-the-scenes content and success stories that show off your problem-solving skills. 

Engaging content that sparks conversation 

Get even the most passive scrollers chatting with these ideas: 

• Give a prize for the best or silliest photo with your product 
• Poll them about new product ideas 
• Share seasonal tips and resources 
• Team up with local businesses for collaborative giveaways or fun-spirited competitions 

Building an action plan for success 

Once you have all the ingredients for a great Facebook campaign, you need an action plan to put it together. 

Creating a content review process

Before you dream up your next post, write down brand guidelines, like which color palette and tone of voice to use. Shared standards will keep your content consistent, especially when multiple people work on your social media accounts. 

Develop a pre-posting checklist, too. Add boxes for image editing, proofreading, and tone checks.

Ready to transform your Facebook presence? 

With a little strategy and thoughtfulness, you can avoid bad Facebook posts and post content that will get your business the right kind of attention.

Looking for more tips on how to make Facebook work for you as a small business owner? Check out our complete guide to getting started on Facebook to learn more about how to find your community.