What is a Pinned Post on Facebook?
A pinned post on Facebook is a post that has been "pinned" to the top of your Facebook page. This means that the pinned post will always stay at the top of your page‘s timeline, even when new content is added. Pinning a post allows you to highlight important information that you want your audience to see first when they visit your page.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about pinned posts on Facebook, including:
- What is a pinned post and how does it work
- The benefits of using pinned posts
- Step-by-step instructions on how to pin and unpin a post
- Tips for using pinned posts effectively
- The limitations of pinned posts
What Exactly is a Pinned Post on Facebook?
A pinned post on Facebook is a single post that an admin has manually "pinned" to the top of their Facebook page‘s timeline.
When you pin a post, it will always stay at the top of your page feed above all other published content – even as new posts are added. The pinned post is the first thing visitors see when they land on your page.
You can only pin one post at a time. If you want to pin a different post, you‘ll have to first unpin the existing one.
Pinned posts are only visible to people who visit your Facebook page directly. They will not show up in your followers‘ main news feed or notifications.
The Benefits of Pinned Posts
Here are some of the main reasons you may want to use a pinned post on Facebook:
Highlight Important Information
Pinning a post allows you to highlight time-sensitive or important information that you want to be immediately visible to visitors.
For example, you can pin a post about:
- Special sales or promotions
- Event dates/times
- New products or services
- Emergency announcements or updates
Make a Good First Impression
Pinned posts are one of the first things new visitors see when they land on your page. An effective pinned post can make a great first impression and showcase your brand.
Increase Engagement
While pinned posts themselves may not get a ton of engagement, they can be used to drive traffic to other high-quality content.
For example, you can pin a teaser post with a link to a popular blog article or video.
How to Pin and Unpin a Post on Facebook
Pinning a post on Facebook only takes a few simple steps:
Pin a Post
- Navigate to the post you want to pin and click the three dots in the upper right hand corner.
- Select "Pin to Top of Page" from the dropdown menu.
- A confirmation message will display notifying you that the post was successfully pinned.
That‘s it! The post will now be pinned to the top of your page.
Unpin a Post
- Navigate to your pinned post (located at the top of your page‘s timeline).
- Click the three dots in the upper right hand corner.
- Choose "Unpin Post" from the dropdown menu.
- A message will confirm the post was unpinned.
And just like that, your pinned post will be removed from the top of your page!
Tips for Using Pinned Posts Effectively
Here are some tips to help you get the most value from your Facebook pinned post:
Update Frequently
Don‘t just pin a post and leave it forever. You should update your pinned post regularly to highlight your newest or most timely content. An outdated pinned post defeats the purpose.
Use Eye-Catching Visuals
Posts with videos or images tend to perform better than text-only posts. Use visually engaging pinned posts to capture attention.
Promote Your Best Content
Your pinned post is valuable real estate. Use it to showcase your best content – popular blog posts, videos, promotions etc.
Keep Post Copy Concise
Write short descriptive copy to provide context. You want visitors to actually click on your pinned post and get directed to more in-depth content.
Include a Strong Call-to-Action
Tell visitors explicitly what you want them to do – Sign up for a webinar? Read a blog post? Your CTA should match the goal of your pinned post.
Limitations of Pinned Posts
While extremely useful, pinned Facebook posts do come with a few limitations you should keep in mind.
Limited Visibility
The major limitation is that pinned posts only appear to people who visit your Facebook page directly. They will not show up in the main news feed.
Limited Engagement
While great for awareness, pinned posts typically receive less overall engagement than regular posts. The key is driving traffic to your best content.
One Post at a Time
You can only pin one post at a time on Facebook. So you have to choose carefully and be ready to swap it out for something new.
Placement Restrictions
Pinned posts always appear at the very top of your page above all other posts. You can‘t re-order pinned posts or place them between other content.
Conclusion
Pinned posts allow you to effectively feature your most important, timely or popular content right at the top of your Facebook page.
When used properly, pinning posts provides the perfect opportunity to make a strong first impression, highlight special announcements, drive traffic, and ultimately boost engagement.
Just be aware of the limitations around visibility and be diligent about updating your pinned posts regularly to maximize the benefits of this useful feature.
What tips do you have for crafting attention-grabbing pinned content on Facebook? I‘d love to hear how you leverage pinned posts as part of your Social strategy!
